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Now That's Hot!
Exercise Your Body and Mind With Heated Yoga By Teri Brown
(LTP Publishing, 2005). She believes there are many advantages to be gleaned from the practice of hot yoga.
"Hot yoga enhances vasodilatation so that more blood is delivered to the muscles," says Dr. Nick. "It allows oxygen in the blood to detach from the hemoglobin more easily and speeds up the breakdown of glucose and fatty acids. It also makes muscles more elastic and less susceptible to injury."
According to hot yoga proponents, the heat, along with the postures, stimulates circulation to internal organs, increases secretion of endocrine hormones, tones muscles and reduces stress. Bikram Yoga is the original hot yoga and is done in 105-degree heat and consists of 26 poses. "The sequence is powerful, very healing and offers an elegant interplay between mind and body, resulting in a complete rejuvenation from skin to bones," says Dr. Nick.
Maya Breuer, a registered yoga instructor, agrees, especially if individuals have chronic conditions such as hypertension and heart disease. According to Breuer, people over the age of 65 may be susceptible to developing cardiovascular problems when exercising in intense heat.
"I do not recommend hot yoga for everyone," says Breuer. "The ideal hot yoga student is young to early middle aged, healthy and athletic. I also recommend that practitioners listen and observe their bodies and their response to the practice and the heat closely. At early signs of discomfort (feeling light headed, nauseous or faint) they should stop and rest in between the postures or stop all together. There is always another day to practice."
