The increasing popularity of yoga has led to the development of new techniques and forms. People with only a passing knowledge of these forms may wonder what the benefits of hot yoga are. They may be curious as to why yoga performed in warmer and more humid conditions is better for their bodies. An in-depth description is needed in order to explain why this style of yoga is beneficial.

What is hot yoga?

This form has all the requisite positions that yogis are familiar with. However, classes take place in studios where the temperature is set at 105 degree Fahrenheit (or 41 degrees Celsius). Classes are usually an hour and thirty minutes long and they consist of poses and breathing exercises.

Why is it beneficial?

The benefits of hot yoga lie directly in the temperature of the rooms. The founder of Bikram’s yoga, Bikram Choudhury, believed that hot conditions allowed for greater flexibility and circulation. In cold conditions, circulation is limited because the blood is concentrated around the body’s vital organs (i.e. the heart and lungs). The extremities receive less blood because they are not necessary for survival. In warmer temperatures, circulation is much freer and all parts of the body receive a steady blood flow. This greatly reduces the risk of organ damage and heart failure. Being in a warm room where the circulatory system is running smoothly is one of the benefits of hot yoga.

Because the extremities are receiving enough blood flow and the muscles are kept warm, the body’s flexibility also increases. This makes performing poses a considerably easier task. People can stretch their bodies in positions that they would normally not be able to reach. Difficult breathing exercises can also be performed because the flexibility of the body is extended into the lungs. Greater flexibility and lung capacity are more examples of the benefits of hot yoga.
» Read more: The Many Great Benefits Of Hot Yoga