Skip to main content

The Benefits of Hot Yoga

4 min read

By Eric Leckie, PT

It seems like every health and wellness blog these days boasts the benefits of hot yoga and making a lifestyle change towards inner peace and mindfulness. This is for good reason because our lives are becoming more and more hectic in this technology-dependent day and age. A break from the madness can do your body a world of good.

With so many styles of yoga to choose from, my favorite is hot yoga. The benefits of hot yoga are incredible and will give your new lifestyle change a kickstart.

Whether you’re looking to try hot yoga to improve your body’s flexibility or to simply add some mindfulness practice into your exercise routine, this article is going to highlight all the benefits hot yoga has to offer. Let’s dive in!

Release Endorphins

It’s a well-known fact that when you complete any form of exercise, your brain releases endorphins that make you feel good! The old saying “you’ll never regret completing a workout” is justified by the euphoric feeling you get once you’re finished.

Add the sweaty feeling of accomplishment onto the endorphin rush after a hot yoga session and you’re sure to have a fantastic day.

Show Up and Save Time

Another benefit of a hot yoga session is it will save time in your schedule. All you have to do is show up. After all, what could be better than showing up to the yoga studio and having the entire workout already planned out for you? All you must do is follow the yoga instructor and put in your best effort.

If you live a hectic lifestyle and don’t have much time to spare for exercise, make the most of your time by attending a hot yoga session.

Rejuvenate Your Body and Sweat It Out

Hot yoga is practiced at a temperature of 105-degrees Fahrenheit (40-degrees Celsius) therefore you’re sure to be sweating during the entire session. The benefits of sweating during a workout are numerous.

From improving your body’s circulation to detoxifying your body of hard metals, sweating is great for your body and something you should aim to achieve with every workout session.

Improve Your Flexibility

Yoga is widely known for improving one’s flexibility through sustained postures and deep stretches. Hot yoga amplifies this as the heat of the yoga studio creates an environment that makes your muscles supple and less resistant to the stretches.

Boost your flexibility by completing one hot yoga session every week and notice a significant difference in your flexibility, posture, and overall well-being.

Build Up Your Muscle Strength

Anyone that’s tried yoga knows how difficult this type of exercise is. From holding poses for up to a couple of minutes to challenging your body’s flexibility and pushing the limits is no easy task.

All this work during a session will help to improve your overall strength and fitness. This will also help your muscles and joints become strong and resilient.

Make New Friends

Yoga can be a very social setting with most studios offering social outings after classes. If you’re looking to make new friends or to enjoy a workout amongst friendly people, go and try a hot yoga session.

What better way to break the ice than sweating like crazy during an intense hot yoga session?

Mix Up Your Workouts and Try Something New

Workout programs can become stale, and progress can stall. They say the best type of exercise is the one you’re currently not completing. This stands true because your body adapts quite quickly to exercise and it’s best to mix things up.

If you’ve been hitting the weights hard or attending spin classes for the past few months, mix things up by trying a hot yoga class. You’ll be able to chase after your fitness goals even faster and your body will thank you.

Exercise and Practice Mindfulness at the Same Time

One of the biggest benefits of hot yoga is that it’s typically a very quiet style of exercise where you’re able to follow the yoga instructor and have time to indulge in mindfulness simultaneously.

Use this time dedicated to exercise to reflect on your day and the things you’re thankful for to achieve the inner peace you’re after for the session.

Protect Your Body From Injury and Age-Related Changes

It’s no secret, you must stay strong and flexible to age well and avoid injuries. Hot yoga provides the best of both worlds where you’ll build strength and flexibility in your muscles and joints — the key to staying fit and healthy as you age!

Getting Started

Whatever your reason is for wanting to try hot yoga, I hope this article gives you that extra boost in confidence to book a session. You’ve got nothing to lose and a whole lot to gain! Simply search online for hot yoga studios in your area and I guarantee you’ll be able to find a good one.

DPT, Doctor of Physiotherapy

Eric Leckie is a men's health Physiotherapist specializing in prostate cancer treatment. He completed his studies in Australia earning his Doctor of Physiotherapy from the University of Melbourne. He currently works in a private practice, in addition to owning his own Telehealth Physiotherapy clinic which focuses on treating men with prostate cancer.

Fitness News & Advice

Explore

How To Jump-Start Your New Year With Cold Weather Running
By Kurt Michael Downes and Kevin Milne Fitness News & Advice

How To Jump-Start Your New Year With Cold Weather Running

As 2024 approaches, many people look to begin the year with resolutions to become more fit. Some people find it challenging to get enthusiastic about outdoor exercise during the winter. However, don’t discount the joys of running in a winter wonderland. It’s accessible, available to all and doesn’t involve gym fees or expensive equipment. Health […]

Read More about How To Jump-Start Your New Year With Cold Weather Running

5 min read

Tracking Daily Step Counts Can Be a Useful Tool for Weight Management — An Exercise Scientist Parses The Science
By Bob Buresh Fitness News & Advice

Tracking Daily Step Counts Can Be a Useful Tool for Weight Management — An Exercise Scientist Parses The Science

Over the last decade, smartphones have become ubiquitous not just for sending texts and staying abreast of news, but also for monitoring daily activity levels. Among the most common, and arguably the most meaningful, tracking method for daily physical activity is step counting. Counting steps is far more than a fad: The U.S. Department of […]

Read More about Tracking Daily Step Counts Can Be a Useful Tool for Weight Management — An Exercise Scientist Parses The Science

6 min read

Aerobic and Strength Training Exercise Combined Can Be an Elixir for Better Brain Health in Your 80s and 90s, New Study Finds
By Brian Ho and Ronald Cohen Fitness News & Advice

Aerobic and Strength Training Exercise Combined Can Be an Elixir for Better Brain Health in Your 80s and 90s, New Study Finds

People in the oldest stage of life who regularly engage in aerobic activities and strength training exercises perform better on cognitive tests than those who are either sedentary or participate only in aerobic exercise. That is the key finding of our new study, published in the journal GeroScience. We assessed 184 cognitively healthy people ranging […]

Read More about Aerobic and Strength Training Exercise Combined Can Be an Elixir for Better Brain Health in Your 80s and 90s, New Study Finds

3 min read