What is Hot Yoga? Everything You Need to Know Before Trying it

What is Hot Yoga? Everything You Need to Know Before Trying it

What is Hot Yoga? 

Hot yoga actually describes a number of different styles of yoga. But what they all have in common is that the classes take place in a room where the temperature is turned up to between 30 and 39 degrees. Hot classes range from following a set sequence of poses every time, to more fluid Vinyasa flow classes and soft Yin classes. This “style” of yoga is becoming incredibly popular all over the world, and with its’ many benefits and rewards, we can easily see why. But if you’re trying hot yoga for the very first time, there are a few things you should be prepared for. 

What are the benefits of Hot Yoga?

Cardiovascular health: Exercising in the heat increases your heart rate and makes the body work harder, so a hot yoga class will be a more strenuous for the body than a similar class done in a lower temperature. 

Flexibility: The heat in the room means you will have to create less heat yourself to feel your muscles loosen up. You’ll be able to move deeper into stretches and won’t have to warm up as much to build the heat. 

Detoxing: A lot of people will claim that because you sweat a lot in a yoga class, you’re detoxing. This isn’t exactly right. Your body doesn’t detox through your skin, but rather through the kidney and liver, so a hot yoga class won’t directly have you releasing toxins. However the cardiovascular exercise and the fact that you drink lots of water can help boost your metabolism, and essentially help you flush toxins. 

Breathing: Although the heat might mean that you feel like you are working hard to catch your breath in a yoga class, the breathing exercises that are often done in class can over time help increase your lung capacity and help you breathe better and deeper. 

Hot yoga is a great way to feel fully refreshed and reset. I teach an 8am hot yoga class on Saturday mornings and it’s a great way to start the weekend. My top tip for those thinking about trying hot yoga would be to give yourself permission to rest when you need to. It is all too easy to get carried away with the sequence, but taking your practice into your own hands and pausing when you need to will allow you to notice if you are moving in a way which serves you on that particular day. Moving with intention throughout the whole class will ensure you leave feeling good in the mind and body and not just plain exhausted at the end of a class. Chloe Chivers, Marketing at Yogamatters

Is Hot Yoga actually good for you? 

Although hot yoga has many wonderful benefits and is becoming increasingly popular all over the world, it comes with a few warning labels. First of all, the heat may help your muscles loosen up, but it also makes it harder to feel your body’s actual limitations. You might feel comfortable going deeper in a stretch while you’re warm, and then only realise that you have strained a muscle once you get out of the class and cool down again. And even worse, while muscles are flexible and can stretch, ligaments and tendons may not be ready for an intense stretch. 

Another drawback to hot yoga can be dehydration and even heat exhaustion. When you exercise, your internal body temperature automatically goes up and the blood then travels to the skin, so we can sweat and cool down. In a hot room, it’s harder for the body to cool itself down and regulate our internal temperature, so we risk getting dehydrated and feeling ill. 

How to Prepare for Hot Yoga 

Hot yoga can be really great if you come prepared and listen to your body along the way. First of all, be and stay hydrated. This means drinking plenty of water before the class throughout the day and keep sipping water throughout the class and afterwards. Here at Yogamatters, we’ve got an extensive range of water bottles, including our Hydro Flasks, which are thermally regulated to help your beverage of choice stay cool and refreshing, even throughout a hot yoga class. Also, don’t eat too much before, but you do not want to show up on an empty stomach either. Have something that will help you keep up your energy levels, but won’t weigh you down, like a banana or a small smoothie. 

During a Hot Yoga class, listen to yourself and take a break if you feel that you really need it. Hot yoga can take some time getting used to, so best to take it slow in the beginning and don’t overdo it. Take breaks from the practice and rest on your mat. And if you feel like half a class is enough for you the first couple of times, you can slowly build up your tolerance. Let the teacher know beforehand that you are taking it slow and might not make it through the full class, so they know why, if you step out.  

After class, you want to replenish your electrolytes and rehydrate with something like a coconut water or a smoothie. 

If you feel beat after your first class, give hot yoga a few tries. It is tough, but once you get used to practising in the heat, it can be really rewarding.

5 Essentials for Hot Yoga 

hot-yoga-yoga-towelYogamatters Grippy Yoga Mat Towel

‘The Grippy’ from Yogamatters is a soft and super absorbent yoga mat towel perfect for helping you get to grips with your hot yoga practice. Layer over a yoga mat during a hot yoga class with dots face down for a protective & hygienic layer or place directly onto the floor.

 

 

 

 

hot-yoga-waterbottle-swell

S’well 500ml Bottle

A water bottle is a must for a hot yoga class. An insulated one like this one from Swell makes sure that you won’t have to deal with your water getting hot (or even worse, lukewarm) during class. Available in various colourways, sizes and styles to suit your lifestyle needs – take a look at our full collection of water bottles online at Yogamatters.

  • keeps your drinks cold for 24 hours and hot for 12
  • made from high-grade 18/8 stainless steel
  • vacuum sealed and triple-walled for maximum insulation, leaving no condensation on the exterior

 

 

 

Yogamatters Yoga Belt

Yoga belts are now used in most styles of yoga classes, so it’s no surprise that they’re one of our best selling props at Yogamatters. Mainly used to extend and lengthen reach, there are countless ways to use a yoga belt to enhance your yoga postures. In hot yoga, a belt can be especially helpful when you get sweaty and find it hard to grip your toes or clasp your hands. As you tend to loosen up and become more flexible in high temperatures, a yoga belt can also be used to increase flexibility and delve deeper into practices.

 

 

 

 

hot-yoga-yoga-mat-cleanerYogamatters Yoga Mat Cleaner

Our Yogamatters yoga mat spray contains natural anti-bacterial properties which purify your mat, so that it’s hygienically clean and ready for your next sun salutation. Your mat will need an extra good clean after a hot yoga class, and our mat spray will help you keep germs off your mat and leave it smelling fresh and clean. Available in two invigorating scents; the Yogamatters Revive Yoga Mat cleaner has a fresh sea breeze scent, whereas our Restore Yoga Mat cleaner is inspired by the English countryside and has a calming lavender aroma.

 

 

 

 

hot-yoga-toesoxToeSox

Although you’ll want to be wearing very light clothing to a hot yoga class,  it pays to be mindful of what you’re wearing on your feet, as yoga socks can help keep your grip when you start to sweat on your mat. A hygienic alternative to bare feet, ToeSox features a patented non-slip grip that provides secure foot placement on any type of surface. The ToeSox Bellarina style has everything you need in a barre-style of sock. Fitting just below the ankle, this low-profile, open foot ballet-inspired design feels barely there. Perfect for yoga, fitness and dance, take a look at our full collection of high-profile yoga socks and put your best foot forward.

 

 

Hot Yoga accessories at Yogamatters

From yoga socks, to grippy yoga towels designed to help you flow freely as you sweat, our full collection of yoga props, clothing and accessories are each designed to help you make the most of your hot yoga experience. Whether you’re looking for lightweight yoga activewear to upgrade your yoga kit before  class, or you’re simply looking for a yoga belt to help you delve deeper into your hot yoga practice, discover the very latest yoga products from leading brands online at Yogamatters.

 

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