Hot Yoga Quick Weight Loss (Yoga Class)

I have tried many different methods of exercise. I had never braved that of a yoga studio (Yoga Practice). Growing up playing sports through high school and college left many lasting lessons and impressions on what fitness and working out meant, one of the most lasting being that if you didn’t break a sweat you weren’t working hard enough.

I went to my first yoga class this week. After my workouts, I generally get in the sauna for 15 or 20 minutes. Its relaxing and is a great way to sweat out those extra t. So, when I heard about hot yoga I thought, if I am ever going to give this “yoga thing” a try, it should be this.



I walked into my first class 110 degrees. Wow! Not quite as hot as a sauna, but definitely still uncomfortable. It is one of those situations where you can actually feel the heat in your chest. So, I lay out my yoga mat and my towel sit down to get my bearings. I start looking around the room to find some of the most beautifully sculpted bodies I had ever seen…. in my life. These were the bodies that people pay big bucks to plastic surgeons to replicate. Obviously, right then and there I decided there must be something to this. I knew there were some great benefits to yoga like relaxation, stress reduction, and increased flexibility - but no one mentioned six pack abs, perfectly sculpted backs, delicate yet defined arms, and lean legs. So, immediately I am hooked.

The class was fantastic. Even a completely green, novice yoga wannabe could do it. They literally talked you through every move. And forget all that relaxation business you get at your yoga class at your gym- this was an intense workout! My heart rate was working in the cardiovascular zone almost the entire time.

Now sweating in a hot room doing poses for 90 minutes may not sound appealing to some folks. If you weren’t sold on the fact that it is an insane cardiovascular workout that stretches every inch of your body into one lean machine… then the after class benefits might.

• Increases blood circulation, supplying oxygen and nutrients to parts of the body that have been blocked or stagnant.
• Lubricates joints and increases muscle strength around joints to support the joints under pressure.
• Improves the spines flexibility and health.
• Strengthens bones.
• Improves strength, tone and flexibility of muscles, which reduces the risk of injury or re-injury.
• Regulates cholesterol in the blood.
• Eliminates toxins.
• Flushes the lymphatic system.
• Strengthens the immune system.
• Balances the endocrine glands.
• Expands lung capacity and strengthens the heart.
• Can reduce the symptoms of many chronic diseases (e.g. arthritis and thyroid disorders)
• You sleep like a baby style.
  

I can’t say enough good things about hot yoga. Everyone should try this, regardless of their fitness level. Find a Bikram Hot Yoga Studio near you.

Before You Go:

• Drink a lot of water! You are going to be flushing your system and sweating for 90 minutes, this is very important.
• Don’t eat before class.
• Bring a large towel for your yoga mat.
• Bring a small towel too!! You will want to periodically towel off.
• Wear a cloth headband of some kind to catch sweat.
• Wear fitted clothes and definitely no pants!
• 1 large water bottle or 2 regular.
• A jacket or pair of pants for after class, with all that sweat your body can catch a chill very quickly and cause your muscles to tighten back up.
  

By Whitney