Y’all, it’s time to shake things up and fire up your yoga practice with hot yoga! This sweaty style of yoga in a heated room is becoming downright popular for good reason. If you’re looking to take your practice to the next level, add some heat, spice up your flow, and get out of your comfort zone, hot yoga is calling your name. Keep reading to learn all about the benefits of hot yoga, what to expect in a class, tips for beginners, and how to find studios offering classes near you. Namaste and let’s get fiery!

What is Hot Yoga?

 refers to any style practised in a heated room, typically between 95-105 degrees Fahrenheit with humidity around 40%. The most common type of hot yoga is Bikram yoga. This style was created by Bikram Choudhury in the 1970s and consists of the same 26 poses and 2 breathing exercises done in the same order in each class. The room is heated to 105 degrees with 40% humidity. Other popular hot yoga styles include CorePower Yoga’s Hot Power Fusion, Modo Yoga’s Modo Hot, and Baptiste Power Vinyasa Yoga’s Inferno Hot Pilates Yoga.

No matter the specific style, the basic idea behind hot yoga is that the heat allows your muscles to become more flexible, lets you sweat out toxins and helps you focus inward. The heat intensifies the practice and challenges both your mind and body. Hot yoga requires endurance, stamina, mental grit, and lots of hydration with water!

Benefits of Hot Yoga

Rolling out your mat in a heated yoga room offers incredible mental and physical benefits. Here are some of the top reasons to give hot yoga a shot:

• Increased flexibility: The heat softens and loosens your muscles and connective tissues. This allows you to stretch deeper into poses compared to a regular temperature yoga class. Your hamstrings, hips, lower back, shoulders, and other areas tighten up in the cold. The heat helps reverse that.
• Torch calories: Expect to burn between 400-600 calories in a 60-90 minute  class! The heat cranks up your heart rate, makes you sweat, and revs your metabolism.  is an excellent form of cardiovascular exercise.
• Detoxify the body: Sweating releases impurities and toxins from your pores. warm yoga helps flush out nasty stuff to rejuvenate your cells. It’s like giving your body a deep cleanse!
• Reduce stress: The breathwork, movement, and mental focus of hot yoga effectively lower stress hormones like cortisol. The class requires staying present rather than worrying about the past or future.
• Improve circulation: Heat expands your blood vessels and capillaries to improve blood flow and circulation throughout your body. This nourishes your cells with extra oxygen and nutrients!
• Alleviate pain: The warmth loosens up stiff or sore muscles and joints. Regular hot yoga can ease chronic pain associated with arthritis, fibromyalgia, carpal tunnel syndrome, back injuries, and more.
• Boost energy: Hot yoga classes often finish with a period of rest and cool down. This allows your body to recharge and re-energize. The increased blood flow also oxygenates your tissues to fight fatigue.
• Lift mood: Between the yoga high endorphins and reduced cortisol, expect an uplifted mood after class and  wonderful for improving symptoms of anxiety, depression, and insomnia too.

What to Expect in Hot Yoga Classes

Hot yoga studios crank up the temperature but don’t worry – it’s there to help you, not torture you! It takes a class or two to acclimate to the sauna-like conditions. Here’s a rundown of what to expect:

• Upon entering the studio, you’ll notice the heat smack you in the face. Studios maintain temperatures between 95-105 degrees. The humidity is kept around 40%.
• Mats are spaced apart since people need room to move and breathe. The floors are carpeted or have a grippy rubber covering. No slipping in sweat!
• Many hot studios have locker rooms with showers. You’ll want fresh clothes after working up a good sweat.
• Poses are held longer than in traditional yoga classes. But don’t force it – listen to your body’s limits in the heat.
• Standing postures build internal heat while seated/lying poses give relief. The sequence of poses is intentional.
• Breathwork is emphasized since the heat makes you breathe harder. Focus on long, smooth inhales and exhales.
• Sip room temperature or warm water before, during and after class. Dehydration happens quickly in the heat.
• Be prepared to SWEAT! Bring a towel to mop off and wear moisture-wicking clothes. A bandana prevents slippery hands/feet.
• If you feel lightheaded or nauseous, don’t power through. Lie down in the child’s pose or exit the room for fresh air. Tell the teacher if you aren’t feeling well.

The heat is challenging but your body adapts over time. Stay hydrated, listen to your limits, and remind yourself of the benefits of hot yoga for motivation!

Hot Yoga Tips for Beginners

If you’re eager to try out a hot yoga class for the first time, go into it knowing the heat will intensify things. Here are helpful tips to make your first  experience enjoyable:

• Hydrate well in advance of class and avoid heavy meals a few hours before. Bring water to sip. Electrolyte tablets can help replenish lost salts.
• Layer up! You can shed layers as you get warm. Wear moisture-wicking fabrics that breathe. Avoid cotton.
• Apply sweat-proof sunscreen and secure your hair off sticky skin. A bandana or headband prevents slick hands/feet.
• Choose a beginner-friendly hot yoga class and let the teacher know it’s your first time. Modify poses as needed.
• Bring a big towel to place on your mat for soaked hands/feet and wiping sweat. A mat towel also prevents slippage.
• Focus on your breath – don’t force poses. Listen to your body and take breaks as needed. The child’s pose gives relief.
• Arrive early to acclimate to the heat for 10-15 minutes before class. Catch your breath in the lobby afterwards.
• Replenish electrolytes post-class through coconut water, sports drinks, banana/avocado, broth, salty snacks, etc.
• The dizziness will subside as you acclimate to hot yoga. Falling out of poses is normal while finding balance.
• Rest up afterwards – hot yoga is intense! Schedule classes when you have time to recover and rehydrate.

Hot yoga takes some getting used to. Accept that the heat will challenge and humble you. Keep breathing, listen to your body, and remind yourself of the incredible benefits of yoga!

Finding Hot Yoga Studios Near You

Ready to brave the heat and try hot yoga? Use these tips to find amazing studios and teachers offering warm yoga classes in your area:

• Ask around for personal recommendations from yoga-loving friends, trainers, or your favourite traditional yoga studio.
• Search review sites like Yelp and Google Maps for highly-rated studios near your home or office.
• Look on ClassPass – many hot yoga studios partner with them so you can try classes for free or discounted rates.
• Search studios’ websites and social media for first-timer discounts and intro package deals. Many offer 30 days unlimited for new students.
• Use keywords like “hot yoga near me”, “Bikram yoga [your city]”, “heated power flow yoga [your zip code]” etc.
• Check out boutique fitness chains like CorePower Yoga, Modo Yoga, YogaWorks, and Baptiste Power Yoga.
• Search the MindBody app for bookable hot yoga classes filtered by location, time, teacher, style, etc.
• If a membership isn’t feasible, buy class packs with bulk pricing discounts. Often between $10-20 per class.

Finding a hot yoga studio with great teachers you vibe with makes consistently returning easier. Check reviews, credentials, class descriptions, fees, and intro offers before committing. Get fired up and start igniting your yoga practice with some heat! The benefits of snug yoga are waiting for you to experience.

Summary

Now you’re ready to hop on the  keen yoga train and see what all the steamy hype is about! Yoga in a heated studio offers incredible mental and physical benefits to enhance your practice. Expect a challenging yet highly rewarding experience that pushes your body in new ways while reducing stress and increasing mood. Scope out reputable studios in your area using this guide. And be sure to follow the beginner tips for a safe, enjoyable first class. Get ready to ignite your practice, find your flow, and achieve that sought-after yogi glow! Hot yoga is calling your name – it’s time to answer that call and get fired up.