Hot Yoga: benefits for body and mind and where to do it –

Yoga relaxes the mind, works endurance and muscle strength, and unites breathing with movement through challenging postures. All this, you probably already heard about the class. But a new modality that has been growing is the union of the practice with a hot and humid environment, with the promise of intensifying the results: Hot Yoga.

Practiced by celebrities such as Madonna, Hailey Bieber, Jennifer Aniston, Meghan Markle and Brazilians Daniele Suzuki and Bárbara Paz, the variation emerged as a way to replicate the heat and humidity of India, where Yoga originated.

Bikram Choudhury invented the technique when he began to teach his traditional classes in Japan and increased the temperature of the room to 40º, in order to mimic his native country – that is why some studios call the practice “Bikram Yoga” and still follow the creator’s guidelines , using just 26 poses throughout the workout, done in silence.

The style became popular in the early 1970s, after Choudhury moved to the United States, but it was in the last 5 years that, in Brazil, we saw the boom of Hot Yoga studios – today, gyms limit the temperature between 26 and 42 and include relaxing music.

ADVANTAGES OF HOT YOGA

The class works on the mind-body connection (./Disclosure)

A warm room creates a sauna-like environment, giving your body a harder workout while reaping the same benefits of traditional yoga, such as reduced stress. “The sweat eliminated during practice increases the production of endorphins, increasing the feeling of well-being and relaxation”, he says. Juliana Romerayoga teacher at Bio Rhythm.

In addition, some advantages that only Yoga in the hot room offer are:

1

(Even) more flexibility

Stretching after warm muscles is safer than stretching cold muscles. Following this same logic, a warm environment makes postures easier and more effective, as reported by the product manager Larissa Kussano, who practices both traditional and hot yoga. “In Hot Yoga, I feel the fluidity of the movement sequences, the heated room makes us more mobile and gives us the feeling of achieving certain postures more easily.”

two

toasted calories

A 170-pound person can burn about 183 calories an hour with traditional yoga. According to research from Colorado State University (USA), burning in Hot Yoga is 460 calories for men and 330 for women. “Often, due to the difficulty that the heat provides, the postures are less rigorous, but the advantages continue”, he explains. Andrea Wellbaumstudio instructor Hot Yoga Sao Paulo.

3

Reduction of blood glucose

While any type of exercise can help burn energy and reduce blood sugar levels, Hot Yoga is an especially useful tool for obese people with a higher risk of type 2 diabetes, as the practice improves glucose tolerance, according to a study published in the Journal of Bodywork and Movement Therapies (USA).

4

up to date skin

Sweating, and a lot, is one of the main goals of Hot Yoga. This improves circulation, bringing oxygen- and nutrient-rich blood to the skin cells and improving their plumpness.

5

less swelling

Heat-activated circulation also stimulates the lymphatic system, which is responsible for removing toxins from the body and which, when overloaded, creates swelling. “Due to this activation, I feel the effects of drainage a lot. After practice, it seems that I leave much less swollen”, says another student, the accountant Alana Carrerwho a year ago switched from traditional yoga to hot yoga.

CONTRAINDICATIONS AND RECOMMENDATIONS

– (./Disclosure)

Exercising in high heat and humidity is not recommended for pregnant women, as there is an increased risk of exhaustion and thus injury.

It should also be avoided if you have any heart or artery conditions, anorexia nervosa, a history of fainting, or heat intolerance. Consult a doctor before taking the class in these cases.

But if you’re in good health and not currently pregnant, Hot Yoga is generally safe as long as you follow certain precautions, which include drinking plenty of water before, during and after your workout and wearing light, breathable fabrics. that can drain sweat. And, of course, don’t forget your towel.