Yoga Heating Up
Courtney Patterson
LUX Magazine
Jan. 2008
Many of us wouldn’t dream of exercising in 80 degrees, let alone 100. A heat that oppressive might seem more likely to induce lethargy than energy. But at yoga studios across the country, people are sweating like they never have before, and loving it.
Baptiste Power Vinyasa yoga, which is typically practiced in a 90 degree room, allows for creativity and flow between poses.
Most people are hooked to hot yoga for its many benefits. Yoga improves circulation and energy levels, diminishes stress, and clears the mind. Sweating rinses out toxins and impurities, aiding the liver and kidneys. The heat also allows more fluid movement, so those who practice can go deeper into the poses. “Think of reshaping cold glass; it will shatter. But if you heat it, you can bend it, form it, shape it any way you like. [A heated room] safely warms the body to allow for greater elasticity,” says Sean Conley, co-founder of Amazing Yoga, the first hot yoga studio that opened in Pittsburgh 6 years ago, and one of the first studios in the country to offer Baptiste Power Vinyasa.
“I believe the initial appeal is quite physical. Many people experience a great workout that results in a loss of weight and gains in strength. However, what keeps them coming [back] is their overall sense of how they “feel.” The benefits quickly go beyond the physical. It's great for your attitude on life.”
For those up for the challenge, bring a water bottle, a towel, and a little patience. Not only will you find hot yoga to be an invigorating experience, but you might be amazed by your tolerance to the heat.
