Bikram yoga, otherwise hot yoga, has become more and more popular in the past years because of its different human advantages. Such a practice means doing the yoga postures in a room heated to 95 to 100 degrees Fahrenheit, with the humidity 40%. Although the heat could be something shocking at first, all the advantages of hot yoga make it worth trying. This is how such types of exercises can contribute to your health.
Benefits of Yoga
Improves flexibility and muscle strength
One of the main advantages of yoga is that it can assist in increasing flexibility and all-around muscle strength. The warmth in the hot yoga classes provides your muscles to loosen and stretch more, thus, helping you to deepen your stretches and poses. Hence, with time this might result in greater flexibility and strength of muscles.
Reduces stress and anxiety
The calming aspects of the mind and body are what yoga is famous for. In hot yoga, the high heat eases tension in muscles, leading to greater relaxation, thus, decreasing stress and anxiety levels. The deep breathing techniques performed in yoga have a tranquilizing effect on the mind; hot yoga is an excellent stress reliever.
Detoxifies the body:
Sweating is an important aspect of hot yoga, that will result in detoxifying the body. As you sweat in the hot room, your pores open up letting your body get rid of toxins. This will be beneficial for you physically as you will have improved skin, and immune system and the removal of harmful substances will be easier.
Increases cardiovascular health:
The heat of yoga classes can be challenging for your cardiovascular system which is good for your heart health. The increased heart rate and sweating also contribute to the burning of calories and lowering of the blood pressure. Consequently, hot yoga helps to prevent heart disease, improves blood circulation, and consequently promotes overall cardiovascular health.
Builds focus and mindfulness
Hot yoga is very demanding in terms of concentration as the heat can be both physically and mentally difficult. This is useful as you learn to be present in the here and now, enhancing your mental health and mindfulness. Sustaining this attention over time enables you to port it off the mat and into your daily life, where you continue to have the same calmness and focus even in stressful situations.
How working out can improve your health
Helps maintain a healthy weight
Regular exercise, like hot yoga, will keep you at a healthy weight. It can help you lose weight also by burning calories and building muscles. A healthy weight decreases the incidence of many health conditions, not only heart disease but also diabetes and obesity.
Improves bone health
Practice, among others hot yoga, is very important in ensuring that your bones are strong and healthy. Motor skill exercises such as yoga help to increase bone density and prevent the breaking of bones due to its pressure on the bones putting them under less weight. It is particularly critical with age and bone mass reduction.
Boosts energy levels
Engaging in regular exercise helps boost energy levels which leave you feeling more alert and concentrated. Hot yoga heat can also give you an energy boost by increasing the blood flow and circulation which results in an overall improved energy and endurance.
Improves mood
Physical activity, e.g. hot yoga, creates chemical reactions in the brain called endorphins that have the effect of heightening your mood. Regular physical activity has been shown to relieve symptoms of depression, anxiety, and stress, thus promoting mental health.