Why Hot Yoga is the Secret Ingredient You’ve Been Missing

If you’re looking to take your existing yoga practice to the next level - it's definitely time to consider hot yoga. As the name implies, hot yoga is all about moving through your yoga poses in a heated, steamy space - usually somewhere around 90 - 98 degrees fahrenheit. Hot yoga has soared in popularity recently, and for good reason: it boasts all the same benefits as traditional yoga (read: better flexibility & mobility, reduced stress and anxiety, improved strength and overall fitness, etc) but ramps up the intensity factor. Here are 4 reasons why hot yoga is the secret sauce you’ve been missing out on in your yoga practice!

• Improved Flexibility

  One of the most prominent benefits of practicing yoga regularly is the improved flexibility you can gain throughout your entire body. Flexibility is a component of overall physical fitness that helps your joints move seamlessly through a full range of motion. It not only helps improve your performance, increases blood flow and helps your muscles to work as optimally as possible, but also decreases your risk of injury. The heated environment of a hot yoga class can more effectively warm up your muscles, allowing you to sink deeper and more easily into your yoga poses. You’ll most likely find yourself able to stretch a little further and achieve a greater range of motion - especially after multiple sessions. 

• Calorie Burner

  While traditional yoga might not hold a candle to a HIIT or bootcamp class when it comes to calorie burning potential, hot yoga brings things up a notch. Turning up the heat can also increase your heart rate, leading to more calories burned during the course of your workout.

• Cardio Boost

  A hot yoga practice provides more cardiovascular benefits than traditional yoga alone. All that extra heat puts added pressure on your heart, lunges and muscles, even when doing the exact same poses. Hot yoga really gets your heart pumping and blood flowing, benefiting your cardiovascular health and even revving up your metabolism - a benefit you’ll continue reaping even after class has ended. 

• Stress Relief

  Yoga has a slew of research backing up its benefits for both the mind and body.  Studies have shown that yoga can literally decrease the amount of stress hormones in the body, leaving you feeling more relaxed after your session. Exercise in general, no matter the type you choose, has shown to be helpful in preventing as well as alleviating depression and hot yoga is no exception.