Yoga's Hot! Hot! Hot!

Yoga has been around for thousands of years, but a new branch of the ancient Indian discipline is emerging–hot yoga. I know what you’re thinking: “Yoga in a sauna?” Not quite, but it is practised in a room that is heated to 32 to 40 degrees Celsius.

The two main types of hot yoga are Moksha and Bikram. Both use a series of Hatha yoga postures, each held for 30 to 60 seconds. In Bikram yoga, all postures are repeated twice, while in Moksha yoga, many postures are repeated twice and there is also a set series of poses that flow together.

In both disciplines the same series of postures are repeated in each class. This allows participants to continually refine their technique and go deeper into the poses. Classes are 60 to 90 minutes long and are suitable for beginners as well as more advanced students.

The number of people willing to sweat it out in a sweltering room is increasing, drawn to hot yoga for its unique health benefits. It is not just a cardiovascular workout; it also strengthens and tones muscles. The heat in the room loosens the muscles and surrounding connective tissue to allow for a deep stretch. This can reduce the amount of pulled muscles that may result from a cooler environment. Focus, balance, and concentration are improved by staying calm and regulating one’s breathing.

The deep sweat experienced during hot yoga not only feels great, it is very beneficial. One of the most important ways the body releases toxins is through the skin. Participants are encouraged to drink a minimum of 1.5 litres of water to replace lost fluids.

Toronto-based co-founder of Moksha yoga, Jessica Robertson, believes yoga done in a heated room has a positive effect on overall health and vitality, stimulating the endocrine (hormonal) system by improving the efficiency of the thyroid gland to regulate metabolism, as well as the pineal gland to improve mood and sleep cycles.

You will find many types of people in a hot yoga class. For some, it is their main form of exercise - toning the body, focusing the mind, and reducing stress. Others attend as a complement to their current training program. Jogging, weight training, and many other exercise regimens can compress the body, and hot yoga allows athletes to reverse this process by focusing on lengthening the spine. (Note, though, that hot yoga is not suitable for pregnant women.)

When attending a hot yoga class, wear light clothing, bring a large water bottle, and at least two towels, and try not to eat for two hours beforehand. The yoga is done on a non-slip mat with a towel placed on top of it. If you do not own a yoga mat they are usually available for rent at the studio.

Whether you are a student of yoga or looking for a new form of exercise, hot yoga promises an amazing experience. Don’t think of it as yoga in a sauna, more like yoga in the Caribbean.