Happy Friday everyone! Now I don’t know you. But one of the things I’m trying to do more of this year. Is to be healthier. Be nicer to myself. And try new things. And one of those new things I’ve tried recently is Hot Yoga. Now I’m sure you’ve all heard about Hot Yoga before. It’s essentially yoga in a room heated to about 95 degrees – what could be better?! But before you let the heat put you off. It’s well worth a try. Now I’m sure most of you would have heard of the the zen yogi-bliss that yoga induces. Well hot yoga amplifies that feeling. I recently went along to a Hot Yoga class at the Westminster Lodge Leisure Centre in St Albans and loved it! The instructor was fab and the group quite small. But I think it’s my new fitness addiction. So here are 5 reasons why you should try hot yoga:
It burns calories. A lot of calories!
So a standard hour-long yoga session will burn a between 150 and 300 calories. But, a hot yoga class can burn between 460 – 600 calories. Impressive right? Well the heat puts more of a demand on your body so you end up burning more calories. I’m sure I probably sweat out at least 300 calories a session – gross I know!
Flexibility
Now a regular yoga class will help with general flexibility. But the heat from a hot yoga class is even better for your muscles. It allows you, no matter what your experience, to stretch that little bit deeper. And hold poses that you might find more challenging in a normal temperature yoga class.
Stress relieving
Not only does the heat relax the muscles in your body. But the heat also relaxes your mind. Which means you can focus on your breath a lot easier. And when you focus on your breathing and the moves ahead of you. You’re not thinking about the other things that would normally stress you out.
Detoxifying
Now it’s no secret that you will sweat during a hot yoga class. And you will probably sweat a lot. But you know what. It’s one of the nicest feelings! At the end of the class I feel lighter. My head feels clearer and just generally detoxed of my worries.
Feel good factor
And the final reason you should try a hot yoga class? Well because of all the feel good endorphin’s! There’s a science behind feeling so zen on the mat. And that’s because yoga focuses on a total mind-body connection. I normally finish the class feeling sweaty (obviously) but also on a bit of a high.
You can see a full list of Hot Yoga classes at the Westminster Lodge Leisure Centre in St Albans here.
Have you ever tried hot yoga before? Would you want to?
As always thank you to Kaye for taking these pictures!
I do want to try hot yoga sometime because I heard how much better it is, but I don’t tend to function too well in extreme heat so I’m not sure how I’d handle this x
Wow that is a massive calorie difference and deffo makes me want to get booking a session 🙂
I have not heard of hot yoga before, but it sounds like a great class to take, the calorie difference to start with as well as all the other benefits. I am going to look into this to see if there is a class near me x
It certainly seems as though hot yoga has so many more benefits. Even if I could do yoga, however, I’m not sure that I would be able to stand the heat..but maybe you eventually get used to it?
I wish there was somewhere close to me but the town I live near is not really ready for hot yoga, or yoga in general… they are just introducing line dancing so it’s a couple of years off yet lol x
I’ve never heard of hot yoga before but it sounds fascinating! I can totally understand that the benefits of regular yoga would be amplifid by the 95 degree heat.
I think it’s so great that you’ve made it a goal to be nicer to yourself and try new things. I think I might try and do the same! 🙂
missbeautysaver
I’ve been a hot yoga fanatic for a year or so now. There’s nothing that makes me feel better overall. Admittedly it took quite a while for my body to adjust to the heat and some days it’s still overwhelming. The benefits of flexibility and a peaceful mind are priceless!
I have never tried or even heard of hot yoga. Would love to try it.
I love Yoga and would love to try the hot yoga, it sounds so much better. (Especially the whole burning more calories thing!) Unfortunately the gym I’m a member of doesn’t do it.
Interest ing read I’ve not been into yoga but its great to know so many benefits of hot yoga I’ll maybe try this in the future.
I would love to try a hot yoga class, as I have tried traditional yoga before and it is great to find something a little different x
One of my mummy friends does this and swears by it. I haven’t tried it yet myself.
My mummy might have to try Hot Yoga as the benefits sound like they could be great for her. She’d like to increase flexibility and her muscles hurt her atm. She’s in hospital with a collapsed lung again so is re-evaluating her exercise and recovery techniques x
I’ve read so much on how great hot yoga is, but I’ve yet to try it myself. I’m a bit worried about getting too hot lol. x
I’m really keen on getting into yoga soon. Hot yoga sounds great after a sweaty sesh at the gym. x
You know what, the more I read this post the more it started to appeal to me. At first I was totes put off – I hate being too hot and feeling sweaty, but the more I think about it, the more it makes sense. Heat definitely helps relax the muscles AND makes me relaxed enough to nod off… so add these factors in with yoga and yeah, I can see why I need to try it!
Nikki xx | Lovelaughslipstick ♥