Last week, I finally decided to put that New Year’s Resolution into action (a little late, I know). I have never really been an active person. I blame half of that on my lack of skill and the other half on my lack of interest. Exercise has never been something I enjoyed, so when I decided on healthier living this year, you can see where I hit a wall. I have struggled with getting off my butt and going to the gym on a regular basis and instead have consistently made excuses. Finally, I decided enough was enough and I needed to quit stalling and woman up. Since going to the gym offered way too much flexibility and freedom on my part, I decided to search for something more structured, so I felt more bound to a schedule. This was when my friend suggested hot yoga.
Now, hot yoga offers many benefits. The primary one is that it helps detoxify your body. This can come particularly handy after a rough Friday night along St. Laurent. The sweat flushes the toxins out of your body, preparing for the gruelling week to come. In a heated room, your heart rate also becomes more elevated, intensifying your workout. This is great for someone who desires a hearty cardiovascular workout but has a limited time frame. With benefits like these, what’s not to love?
My initial fear was the heat. Many of my friends had warned me of the intensity of your first session. Spending an hour moving through various postures in a 37°C did not sound very comfortable. But, I prioritized toned muscles over 60 minutes of torture and decided to suck it up. After all, no cardiovascular workout is ever comfortable so why not make the most out of it? And I’m glad I did.
It was indeed a painful, sweaty mess; however, you leave the room feeling relaxed and ready to take on the rest of your day through a positive outlook. Although it may not be for everyone, I insist you try it and be the judge yourself. Here are some ways to prepare for your session:
- Stay hydrated. You will sweat like you never thought you could, which means you will be losing a lot of water. Dehydration does not bode well with that healthy lifestyle you are aiming for.
- Do not enter with a full stomach. As the workout intensifies, you could begin to feel nauseous. If you have a bloated stomach, it will make things more uncomfortable. Transitioning between poses will also prove a more difficult task.
- Go at your own pace. In such high temperatures, it is easy to become delusional and overexert yourself. Maintain awareness of your body. Yoga is about self-awareness, and so you should do whatever makes you feel comfortable.
- Be careful entering and exiting the room. After the workout, you will be transitioning into a much cooler temperature. Sudden temperature changes is not healthy for your body, especially if it’s just fresh of the workout
Source: http://www.besthealthmag.ca/get-healthy/yoga/the-benefits-of-hot-yoga
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