Why Hot Yoga is the Best Form of Yoga

The origins of yoga can be traced all the way back to Ancient India, where it was practiced as a discipline to unite the soul with the divine and as a tool to rid the mind from worldly distractions. But yoga has come a long way since then, and has become a global phenomenon – it is not just a spiritual practice, but is a means of stress-relief, mindfulness, and exercise. The Western World has seen countless modern alterations and 'versions' of yoga, but one stands above all the rest:

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So, What is Hot Yoga?

Hot yoga is exactly what it sounds like: yoga that is performed in a heated, humid environment. It is usually practiced in a room with its temperature set to over 100°F and a humidity level of around 40%. The elevated temperature creates a challenging environment to perform any kind of exercise – and causes a considerable amount of sweating! – which helps strengthen the mind and body to face further challenges during the rest of the day. It is not bound to a specific sequence of asanas or poses (unless it's Bikram yoga, but we'll get back to that soon), allowing for greater freedom and dynamism for anyone who practices it.


Bikram Yoga: the Original(?) Hot Yoga

Hot Yoga as we know it today was popularized in the 1970s by Bikram Choudhury, who introduced Bikram Yoga – a rigorous sequence of 26 asanas and 2 pranayamas (breathing exercises) performed in a room heated to 105°F and a humidity level of 40%. The aim? To replicate the climate of India and thus maximise the physical benefits of each pose.
Although the founder himself remains extremely controversial, his method is still praised by many for its intensity and structured discipline. Practitioners often report improved flexibility, mental resilience, and a powerful sense of accomplishment after completing each session.

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Why Hot Yoga Reigns Supreme

Hot yoga offers a unique combination of benefits that sets it apart from all other styles of yoga:

  • Detoxification: the intense heat promotes profuse sweating, which helps flush out excess salts and toxins from the body through the skin
  • Enhanced Flexibility: the heat of the environment helps loosen joints and muscles, allowing for a safer and wider range of motion
  • Cardiovascular Boost: the heat, combined with the deep stretches and poses, increases the heart-rate and acts as a full-body cardiovascular workout
  • Mental Focus: the challenging environment forces its practitioners to avoid getting overwhelmed by the intensity and instead focus on their breathing and stretching, building mental toughness
  • Calorie Burn: the added intensity of the heat causes an increase in the body's calorie expenditure, making it ideal for those looking to lose weight.

Choose Your Style, Embrace the Heat

Whether you're drawn to Bikram's structured method or prefer to do it free-style, the benefits remain undeniable. The sweat, the deep stretches, and especially the heat – everything works together to create a challenging yet rewarding physical and mental exercise that other yoga styles just cannot match.

So what are you waiting for? Crank up the heat, roll out your yoga mat, and level up your yoga practice today!