Hot yoga has become the new “It” workout for the students of North Atlanta. Hot yoga is not like your normal everyday yoga class. At hot yoga, the room is heated to 90 degrees and incorporates the usual yoga poses and flows, with core and strength-building exercises. Hot yoga is a great way to exercise your body and your brain. Who wouldn’t want to reap the benefits of this incredible workout?
Hot yoga is considered one of the best workouts for your body. The heat in the studio brings your body better balance, strength, and flexibility. By having a hotter environment for the class, your muscles naturally loosen which creates more blood flow and flexibility to get the best work out of your body. By going through the usual vinyasa flow and core elements your body will strengthen and develop a great center of balance. Not to mention the sweat-inducing heat, actually benefits your skin and helps your body detoxify. A one-hour session for a hot yoga class usually burns 400-600 calories. However, this tough workout doesn’t come without a few drawbacks. The intense heat and sweating can often cause dehydration or overheating. However, drinking plenty of water and taking in electrolytes will definitely help combat this repercussion. With the proper prep and recovery for hot yoga, this workout will probably end up being your new go-to.
Hot yoga not only is an excellent physical activity, but it also has numerous mental benefits to come along with it. Hot yoga classes require a lot of mental focus. By listening to the instructor go through the flow, and focusing on your balance and body, your brain gets a great workout too! The difficulty of the workout also helps develop more endurance and mental strength. Hot yoga is also an incredible brain break. The built-in meditation is truly one of the best perks. Letting your brain relax and calm down helps increase your productivity and awareness later throughout the day. All exercise also comes with the production of endorphins. An increase in endorphins also brings an increase in happiness, lowers stress levels, and enhances your well-being.
While some love hot yoga, other people feel that there are definitely better workouts. Hot yoga costs money and takes up more time than some alternatives. Though it can be a fun activity to try with friends, it can also be a bit pricey. Running in your neighborhood or other places is free, and gives you a good source of vitamin D. Others feel that lifting weights is better to spot build strength. It takes trying new things to see what works best for you and your routines.
All workouts are subjective to the person who is doing them. Whether that be hot yoga, or an alternative, getting your movement in is what is important. However, if you have the time, money, and energy to spare for hot yoga, it is definitely worth the excellent physical and mental benefits.
