Hot Yoga
Hot yoga is literally yoga that is done in a hot room. A very hot room. The thermostat is generally set between ninety-five and one hundred degrees. Why would anybody want to exercise in such a hot environment? Well, there are several reasons. First, temperatures that high during a vigorous workout will cause a great deal of perspiration. Some believe that this helps relieve the body of “toxins” but quite frankly, it just relieves the body of sweat. Still, a good sweat can feel very nice. Second, at that temperature, a body is more flexible. That’s important for people who want to do more complicated and demanding yoga moves. There are different types of hot yoga, but the sort of yoga that most people are familiar with is Bikram Yoga.
Bikram yoga was developed and taught by yoga master Bikram Choudhury. His method is a series of twenty-six positions, as well as two pranayama exercises, to be done twice in a ninety-minute period. The pranayama exercise are actually breathing exercises. Bikram is very exact in his teachings, and he would like only certified instructors to advertise that they teach Bikram yoga. This desire has led to lawsuits which would protect the twenty-six poses and his name. Because of this, and other reasons, he’s a controversial figure in the yoga community.
If you are going to participate in hot yoga, be sure that you have a sticky mat and a towel, because you will be sweating a lot. Also, make sure that you drink plenty of water before and after, so you don’t become dehydrated. If you are pregnant, you should not continue to participate in hot yoga methods.
Related Information:
Hot yoga is a method of yoga that is done in an overly heated room.
Hot yoga is attractive because it rids the body of toxins and makes a body more flexible.