Top 5 Benefits of Hot Yoga in Manhattan
Hot yoga has become a popular workout over the last few decades in New York City and worldwide. It provides several of the very same benefits as typical yoga but with some added bonus from the heat. With the temperature turned up, hot yoga has the capability of giving your mind, heart, lungs, and muscles a more intense workout.
But first, what is hot yoga?
“Hot yoga” and “Bikram yoga” are often used interchangeably. It is yoga practiced in a studio warmed to 105° F. The practice includes 26 poses as well as 2 breathing workouts. All the poses are always done in the exact same order, every time. These are the 60min and 90min classes offered here at Hot Yoga Chelsea.
Top 5 Benefits of Hot Yoga
A heated setting can make the practice of yoga much more difficult yet enhances some of it’s benefits. If done correctly and safely, hot yoga can have the following benefits:
1. Improve Flexibility
Stretching while your body is warmed up is much more effective and safer for your muscles. A yoga session that is heated can make the postures less difficult. The warmth allows you to extend a little farther allowing you to go deeper in the poses. It only takes a few sessions before you start to notice reduced stiffness in the back, shoulders, and hamstrings.
2. Burn More Calories
On average a person can burn around 200 calories during regular yoga. But turning up the heat turns up the burn also. A 90-min Bikram-inspired hot yoga practice can help you burn well over 500 calories! The calories burned during class can be a great compliment to a traditional cardio routine.
3. Reduces Stress & Anxiety
Many individuals turn to yoga as a natural solution for stress and anxiety. At the same time, it improves other mental health-related areas like building confidence and patience. Many yogis say they feel more in control of their health and body after doing hot yoga. Just one session can give a boost to your state of mind.
4. Decrease Blood Sugar
Any type of workout can assist in reducing sugar (glucose) in your bloodstream. But hot yoga may be the best! Studies show Bikram yoga can improve glucose tolerance in older adults with excessive weight.
5. Improve Your Skin
Sweating a lot is one of the byproducts of a great hot yoga practice. The heavy sweating opens your pours and detoxifies your skin. Another benefit of sweating in the hot studio is that it can boost blood circulation which brings oxygen and nutrient-rich blood to your skin cells. This helps nourish your skin, inside and out.
If you are healthy, hot yoga is safe to practice. As with most types of workouts, being mindful of your body’s limits and staying hydrated is key. If you are new, be patient and rest during poses that challenge you. If practiced correctly, you can enjoy all these benefits and more. Take your first hot yoga class with us at Hot Yoga Chelsea! Click here to view our weekly schedule.