5 Benefits of Hot Yoga

If your traditional yoga practice sounds too low-energy or just isn’t cutting it anymore, then you’ve got to try hot yoga. Yes, you’re still going to be working on your strength and flexibility while focusing on your breath, but there’s a twist: the room is going to be hot.

How hot, you ask? It’s typically set somewhere between 27 and 38°C, so yeah, it’s warm! While these sweat-inducing temperatures may be too uncomfortable for some, those who can stand the heat will receive a rather intense workout. And, fortunately, some rather nice benefits to go along with it.

Check out the following 5 benefits of hot yoga.

1. Better Flexibility

Heat can be a wonderful thing for your muscles. It lets you stretch them a little further than you normally would, giving you a wider range of motion. Therefore, by doing yoga in a hot room, the heat can allow you to really sink into your poses, making them easier and more effective.

There’s even research to support this idea. One study found that those who engaged in Bikram yoga, a form of hot yoga, had more flexibility in their shoulders, lower back, and hamstrings than a control group.

2. Decreases Stress

A lot of people practice yoga to deal with stress, and hot yoga is no exception. While some people may think that the extra heat would only add to their stress levels, studies have found the opposite effect.

Research shows that hot yoga can help reduce the stress levels of stressed, physically inactive adults. Interestingly, the same study found that hot yoga can also improve participants’ self-efficacy and health-related quality of life.

3. Burns Calories

Are you struggling with losing or maintaining your weight? Even if you’re already dieting and exercising, you may not be doing enough. Those looking to shave off some extra calories during the week may want to look into a hot yoga class.

According to researchers, men can burn up to 460 calories during a 90-minute Bikram yoga session, and women can burn up to 330. By doing this just once a week, you could easily burn over a thousand calories a month!

4. Boosts Cardio

Yoga isn’t often recognized as a real cardiovascular exercise, especially when compared to something like running or biking. However, research shows that hot yoga can really get your heart pumping. 

In fact, one study found that a hot yoga class can get your heart pumping as much as it would during a brisk walk. This means that it can also increase your respiration and metabolism, which is great for your cardiovascular system and weight management.

5. Increases Bone Density

Our bone density tends to decline as we get older, especially in women. This can lead to an increased risk of bone fractures, breaks, and even osteoporosis. While you may not be able to stop the effects of aging in their tracks, you may be able to reduce your risk with hot yoga.

Research shows that premenopausal women who engaged in 5 years of Bikram yoga sessions had increased bone density in their lower back, neck, and hips. This highlights one of the nicest things about hot yoga: you’re never too old to benefit from its effects.

Ready to give hot yoga a try? Click here to book a session at cedar + sage today!