Hot yoga

Hot yoga refers to yoga exercises performed under hot and humid conditions. "Hot yoga" is used to describe any yoga or yoga-inspired fitness styles that use heat. Hot yoga typically leads to profuse sweating.

The purpose for the heat in hot yoga varies depending on the practice or the individual. Some hot yoga practices seek to replicate the heat and humidity of India where yoga originated., while some forms use heat to enhance health benefits.

History

The hot yoga trend began with Bikram Yoga, developed by Bikram Choudhury in the late 1960s and early 1970s. Largely due to the success and health benefits of [Bikram Yoga], many yoga styles and fitness practices began adding heat and humidity to their practice environments.

At present, "hot yoga" can refer to the 26-posture sequence taught by a Bikram method teacher, or yoga, yoga-inspired fitness or stretching done in a heated environment.

Types

Bikram yoga

Bikram Yoga, created by Bikram Choudhury, is a therapeutic [Hatha yoga] class and practiced in a room at 105 °F (41 °C) with 40% humidity. A traditional Bikram class consists of the same 26 postures with 2 breathing techniques and lasts for 90 minutes. Research studies on [Bikram Yoga] have demonstrated health benefits including improved insulin resistance, healthier cholesterol levels, and reductions in depression and anxiety.

Forrest yoga

Forrest Yoga is a modern Hatha yoga style developed by Ana T. Forrest. This specific style focuses on holding poses for a longer duration of time. The repetition of 20 specific poses accentuates the stretch equally on each side of the body. This yoga emphasizes the connection between your emotions and your physical being. Being practiced in a hot environment helps deepen the stretch without causing trauma to the body.

Power yoga

Power Yoga is a fitness-focused Vinyasa style. Power yoga encompasses the benefits of both Ashtanga and Vinyasa including the building of internal heat, increase of stamina and flexibility and reducing stress on the body. Instructors personalize posture sequences, and students practice by synchronizing their breath and their movements.

Precautions

Since hot yoga's rise to fame, it has become a popular way to stay in shape and increase flexibility, however, it is not for everyone. Some schools of thought believe that pregnant women in particular should avoid practicing yoga in extremely warm or humid conditions, unborn babies don't have the ability to sweat, allowing them to cool down. Overheating could jeopardize the health of a growing baby.

However, findings in the field of exercise physiology do not lead to a necessary prohibition against yoga or exercise in heat. The only known problems with fetal development occur when pregnant women have prolonged high fever during the first trimester. Heat-acclimated women do not generally experience this rise in body temperature and can usually continue their pre-pregnancy level of activity, with mindfulness and attention to body temperature and exertion.

Rajashree's Pregnancy Yoga. a specific prenatal sequence developed in conjunction with medical professionals and recommended by physicians - has been practiced by pregnant women around the world since the 1980s. Pregnant women with at least 6 months of a near-daily Bikram Yoga practice are advised to practice the pregnancy series outside of the heated room during the first trimester, as a risk of neural tube defects is increased when pregnant women have repeated and prolonged high body temperature. However, for the 2nd and 3rd trimesters, those with a pre-pregnancy Bikram yoga practice of at least 6 months may generally return to the hot room for Rajashree's Pregnancy Yoga, taking care to rest when necessary and have access to cool air if necessary.