Hot Yoga
Posted on Nov 11th 2009 5:15PM by Martha EdwardsFiled Under: Fitness
Hot yoga is a style of yoga that is practiced in a heated environment. Some often hear "hot yoga" and immediately think of Bikram yoga, but that's not the only type of hot yoga that exists. Bikram yoga was developed by yoga master Bikram Choudhury, founder of the Yoga College of India in Beverly Hills. However, only classes endorsed by Choudhury are able to use the name Bikram Yoga.
Traditionally, hot yoga is practiced in a heated room. Ideally, the room will be heated to between 95 and 105 degrees Fahrenheit (35 and 40.5 degrees Celsius) with 40 percent humidity. Classes last approximately 90 minutes and consist of a series of 26 postures and two breathing exercises.
The reasons behind the intense heat in a hot yoga session are twofold. First, excessive sweating is believed to be a method of cleansing the body of toxins. Second, the increased heat in the muscles is thought to improve flexibility.
Hot yoga is fairly widespread and popular, but it's also controversial. Practitioners could suffer from dizziness, dehydration or heat stroke during a hot yoga class. Some experts feel that regular participants are risking injury if they push themselves too hard.
Those interested in trying hot yoga should remember to bring their own yoga mat because of the excessive sweating that the practice involves. Second, it's necessary to drink plenty of water before a hot yoga session because of the risk of dehydration.
More Yoga Terms Defined from That's Fit:
Ashtanga Yoga
Hatha Yoga
Kundalini Yoga
Power Yoga
Prenatal Yoga
Strengthen With Yoga
Vinyasa Yoga
Yoga Benefits
Yoga Journal
Yoga for Weight Loss
Flow Yoga
Traditionally, hot yoga is practiced in a heated room. Ideally, the room will be heated to between 95 and 105 degrees Fahrenheit (35 and 40.5 degrees Celsius) with 40 percent humidity. Classes last approximately 90 minutes and consist of a series of 26 postures and two breathing exercises.
The reasons behind the intense heat in a hot yoga session are twofold. First, excessive sweating is believed to be a method of cleansing the body of toxins. Second, the increased heat in the muscles is thought to improve flexibility.
Hot yoga is fairly widespread and popular, but it's also controversial. Practitioners could suffer from dizziness, dehydration or heat stroke during a hot yoga class. Some experts feel that regular participants are risking injury if they push themselves too hard.
Those interested in trying hot yoga should remember to bring their own yoga mat because of the excessive sweating that the practice involves. Second, it's necessary to drink plenty of water before a hot yoga session because of the risk of dehydration.
More Yoga Terms Defined from That's Fit:
Ashtanga Yoga
Hatha Yoga
Kundalini Yoga
Power Yoga
Prenatal Yoga
Strengthen With Yoga
Vinyasa Yoga
Yoga Benefits
Yoga Journal
Yoga for Weight Loss
Flow Yoga
