Service Description

You may hear the terms “hot yoga” and “Bikram yoga” used interchangeably, but they’re not exactly the same thing. Bikram yoga, developed by a yogi named Bikram Choudhury, is done in a room heated to 105°F (41°C) with 40 percent humidity. It consists of 26 poses and two breathing exercises that are done in the same order in every class. Bikram yoga sessions typically last 90 minutes. Hot yoga, on the other hand, really just means that the room is heated above normal room temperature. The heat can be set to whatever the yoga instructor wants, though it’s typically between 80 and 100°F (27 and 34°C). Hot yoga sessions can include any variety of poses, and the time of each class will vary from studio to studio. And unlike Bikram yoga, which is a quieter, serious practice, hot yoga often includes music and more interaction among the people in the class. Bikram yoga has lost followers in recent years due to assault allegations against its founder. Some studios may use the term “hot yoga” rather than “Bikram yoga” to describe their heated classes. So, it’s a good idea to read class descriptions carefully before signing up. What are the benefits of hot yoga? Regardless of the room temperature, both hot yoga and Bikram yoga aim to provide relaxation of the mind and improve physical fitness. A heated environment can make the practice of yoga more challenging, but some of the benefits may be worth it, especially if you’re looking to make progress in one of the areas outlined below. If done correctly and safely, hot yoga can provide the following benefits: 1. Improves flexibility You may already know that stretching after you warm up your muscles is safer than stretching cold muscles. So, it follows that an environment like a hot yoga studio can make yoga poses easier and more effective. The heat allows you to stretch a little further and achieve a greater range of motion. A 2013 studyTrusted Source of Bikram yoga found that after 8 weeks, yoga participants had greater flexibility in their low back, shoulders, and hamstrings than the control group. 2. Burns more calories A 160-pound person can burn around 183 calories an hour with traditional yoga. Turning up the heat can help you burn even more calories. According to researchers at Colorado State University, the calorie burn can be as high as 460 for men and 330 for women during a 90-minute Bikram yoga session. Hot yoga, even if it’s not quite as intense as a Bikram session, will burn more calories than