Chances are, downward-facing dog and corpse pose aren’t new to you, especially if you’ve done yoga in the past. Whether you practice in the privacy of your home, with others in a professional class, or solo at the beach, you probably have your favorite moves that help you build up a sweat and others that cool you down. However, to raise the intensity, let’s look at, “How often should you do hot yoga?”
Below, our number-one rated yoga team will explain how frequently you should partake in hot yoga in Dayton, Ohio, and what a hot yoga routine can do for you.
What Is Hot Yoga and How Frequently Should You Practice It?
Hot yoga is like traditional yoga, but instructors host it in a humid environment rather than in a regular yoga room.
How often should you do hot yoga? Because this method intensifies your held poses, you may assume hot yoga is not an everyday practice; however, as long as you maintain good health habits, you can make it a daily routine. Some healthy habits include drinking plenty of water and listening to your body so as not to push through dizziness and overexertion. Also, stay fueled and get plenty of rest.
Still, there are cases in which you should refrain from this sort of frequency, such as when you:
- Are pregnant
- Are new to the practice (start with two classes weekly to build endurance)
- Have a medical condition (ask your doctor if hot yoga is right for you)
What Are the Benefits of Hot Yoga?
One of the biggest reasons people turn to yoga is to gain flexibility. Stretching poses slowly lengthen muscle fibers and tendons, increasing joint motion and releasing tightness over time. However, studies show that yogis taking Bikram yoga set in 105-degree rooms with 40% humidity are more flexible after eight weeks than traditional yogis since heat helps warm the joints and muscles.
Other ways hot yoga improves your well-being include:
- Weight loss: Yogis burn about 180 calories during a traditional hour-long yoga practice, while hot yogis burn roughly 270 calories (almost 100 more) in the same time.
- Cardiovascular health: The more intense your workout, the more you use your cardiovascular system, including your lungs and heart, challenging them to become stronger. According to Healthline, one hot yoga session rivals a 3.5 mph walk, positively affecting your metabolism and respiration.
- More bone density: Placing weight on your bones helps increase bone density, and since all yoga forms include sustaining poses where you hold up your body weight, they all help with frailty. However, a 2014 study shows women have increased bone density in the back, neck, and hips after five years of hot yoga.
Get the Five-Star Treatment!
If you’re wondering “How often should you do hot yoga?” or want to sign up for classes, Ignite Yoga is here to answer all your questions and provide in-person and virtual classes to suit your every need. We support all yoga levels and can teach you how to prepare and wind down properly before and after hot yoga. Call 937-558-8800 in Dayton, OH, today!
