posted on January 15, 2025
For the past few years, my main form of exercise has been lifting weights and doing moderate-intensity cardio. Though I still love doing these things, I have recently added something new to my routine: hot yoga. I had been a couple of times prior, but within the past few months it has become a staple in my week. I think that the reason I got into it was partially because of a class I took this past semester, Yoga and Pilates Instruction. My professor, Dr. Sally Sherman, is a successful, impressive, wonderful yoga instructor and human being. I loved learning from her and practicing with her so much that I wanted to keep yoga in my life even after I was doing it for class credit.
In addition to being a nice break from my usual exercise routine, hot yoga is an extremely
beneficial practice for other reasons as well.
First, I’ll list some of the physical benefits.
1. Enhanced flexibility: The heat helps to warm up the muscles, making them more elastic
and assisting the body to move into poses more smoothly and safely.
2. Increased calorie expenditure: The heat can elevate the heart rate more than a regular
yoga class, causing more calories to be burned.
3. A cardiovascular workout: In addition to challenging strength and flexibility, hot yoga
forces your body to pump blood to cool you down, challenging the cardiovascular
system.
4. Detoxification: Sweating helps to release toxins from the body.
Next, here are some of the other health benefits, both mental and otherwise.
1. Stress reduction: Yoga is a mindful practice that promotes relaxation and meditation.
2. Mood enhancement: The practice releases endorphins, chemicals that elevate mood
and combat anxiety and depression.
3. Boosted circulation: Heat causes blood vessels to expand, improving circulation and
delivering oxygen and nutrients to muscles and organs.
4. Better lung capacity: Breathing techniques practiced during hot yoga encourage
controlled, deep breathing, benefiting respiratory health.
Hot yoga has been so beneficial for me both physically and mentally for the past few months, to the point where I plan on becoming a certified instructor. I strooooongly encourage anyone and everyone to try it! 🙂
Thanks UF!
Mary
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