There are many different types of yoga. One of them is the so-called Hot Yoga, often referred to as Bikram Yoga. How does hot yoga, which has become increasingly popular in recent years, differ from other types and what are the advantages and possible disadvantages?
In general, all exercises in hot yoga are completed at a temperature of 38 to 40 degrees Celsius, which explains the name of this form of yoga. In fact, hot yoga offers health benefits that other types of yoga don’t have. Due to the warm temperature, however, Hot Yoga is not necessarily suitable for everyone.
Who Should Be Careful About Hot Yoga?
The sports medicine specialist Dr. Edward Laskowski of the Majo Clinic in the United States said it makes sense for pregnant women, people who have had a stroke or heart disease, and people who are not good at heat or who are prone to dehydration to seek medical attention to be examined before starting Hot Yoga.
What are the warm temperatures doing?
With hot yoga, the intensity of the training is generally significantly increased thanks to the increased room temperature. The heat causes blood vessels to dilate, resulting in improved blood flow throughout the body without the need for exercise or physical activity at all.
Heat prevents injuries
In addition, hot yoga increases oxygenation and muscle flexibility, which reduces the likelihood of strains and other injuries during the exercises.
According to the expert, hot yoga can also contribute to a stronger cardiovascular system. “The demands of the poses and also the hot environment raises the heart rate, so they provide some cardiovascular/heart training,” explains Dr. Laskowski.
For example, according to a study, hot yoga can reduce the stiffening of the blood vessels, especially in overweight and obese people with arteriosclerosis. In addition, the general state of health, quality of life and emotional well-being improved.
Many benefits of hot yoga
A survey of the self-reported effects of hot yoga on people with a range of medical conditions found that this form of yoga can have both positive and apparently negative effects.
For example, in a study of the most commonly cited health benefits, participants reported that hot yoga increased flexibility (63 percent), lifted mood (58 percent), fitness (43 percent) and also improved endurance (42 percent).
Adverse Effects of Hot Yoga
However, it is worth mentioning that more than half of all participants in the study reported undesirable effects of hot yoga. These included, for example, dizziness (60 percent), drowsiness (61 percent), nausea (35 percent) and dehydration (34 percent).
It should be noted, however, that this is self-reported information. The team therefore believes that more studies on the risks and benefits of hot yoga are needed.
Healthier skin and improved mental well-being
Another study of physically inactive women found that hot yoga for 12 weeks (60 minutes twice a week) improved skin health, reduced weight, and increased flexibility while reducing mental stress.
Yoga reduces stress
It is now medically recognized that yoga has a wide range of health benefits, including reducing stress, which in turn can lead to serious health problems such as depression.
Hot Yoga combines these advantages of normal yoga with the special advantages of training in heat, which particularly benefits heart health. At the same time, the warm environment prevents injuries and has a beneficial effect on mental well-being. However, it should be noted that hot yoga can cause problems for some people, which should be clarified by a doctor beforehand. (as)
