Hot, hot yoga

It makes you grateful for the fresh, chilly air of a winter morning. It's proven to shrink those body sizes and blast toxins and stress right out. But it's not as pleasant or easy as a Suryanamaskar. Baisakhi Roy sweats it out in a gruelling class of hot yoga

No sweat
Quite the opposite is true for this form of yoga which is fast becoming a hot trend for women who want the pounds to melt away. Indeed, it is a very effective way to lose weight. “The room is set at 35-40 degrees, which is ideal. The heat warms up the muscles and joints. Then we proceed to twists, stretches, compression and pranayama (deep breathing). It’s a complete workout,” says Isabel Lambert, Director and teacher at Tula Yoga Spa in downtown Toronto. Hot yoga teachers insist that this form of exercise requires consistency; it is not a weight loss pill. A person has to practice hot yoga with regularity to achieve visible results.

Complete detox
The main focus in regular yoga is breathing. The emphasis here is on detoxification, with the heat pushing your body to the limit. The exercises tone and sculpt the body, the heart and lungs receive a work out, and the digestive system gets cleansed. There is deep purification throughout the body, including most of the internal organs. The lymphatic system is massaged and stimulated. The result is a more toned body with increased flexibility!

Heat it up!
The first hurdle that a hot yoga newbie faces is getting through the heat factor. 15-20 minutes into a session and your body begins to get used to the discomfort. Some newcomers may feel nauseous but that passes too, if you take it easy. Lots of breaks when you can simply lie down and breathe, along with sips of water, are recommended. Pregnant women and people with heart conditions are required to consult a doctor before attempting hot yoga because of the heat and the elevation of the heart rate. The humidity levels could go up to 60% in a hot yoga session.

The perfect wellness experience
With the purification and cleansing of the digestive and respiratory systems comes good internal organ health. Hot yoga is the ultimate relaxation technique. The detoxification results in stress release, good hormonal balance, and rejuvenation of all internal organs. A calmer mind and increased energy leads to more awareness and feelings of contentment and well being. This often translates into an immediate improvement in your skin’s appearance. Who needs a spa anymore?

Take your pick
There is a choice between a slower, more structured class and a vigorous, power yoga class. Relaxed and serene or nimble and stretched, whatever be your preference, you can alter a hot yoga session to suit you. Both ways, there is intense sweating and the heart rate lunges. Couple that with the internalisation of the breathing process and you have a great package for the mind, body, and soul!

Be warned
Keep yourself hydrated
Bring towels; the sweat could make your yoga mat slippery
Avoid hot yoga if you are pregnant or have a heart condition
Consult your doctor
Learn from a certified practitioner