Hot yoga is the “hot” new workout trend that offers a wide variety of benefits. If you think the idea of doing yoga in a hot and sweaty environment sounds like torture, you’re in for a treat! While it’s true that yoga isn’t “hot” unless it’s done in a humid and warm environment, it’s a much more enjoyable practice than you’re probably imagining in your head. You don’t have to take my word for it, though. Here’s how and why to try hot yoga in your own home this week.

Understanding the Point of Hot Yoga

I have to admit, I used to look that people who did hot yoga were a little crazy. Why in the world would you choose to exert your body in an environment that forces you to release as much sweat as possible? But now that I’ve learned more about it, I’ve come to understand the point of this unconventional form of exercise.

Hot yoga offers the same benefits as traditional yoga (you know, the standard benefits like improved strength, stress reduction and flexibility), but it also gives you an even more intense workout in less time. So if you don’t have an hour to spend on a typical yoga routine, you can spend half an hour doing hot yoga and get the same benefits! Plus, the humid environment a hot yoga session provides is meant to replicate the humid natural environment found in India, where yoga originated. So you get a more authentic experience from doing hot yoga than from doing traditional yoga in an air-conditioned environment. Just make sure you drink lots of water before you get your sweat on!

Benefits of Hot Yoga

Now that I’ve got you thinking hot yoga may not be so bad, here’s a list of some of the impressive benefits the practice can provide.

Increased calorie burn
Improved flexibility
Reduced stress
Improved mood
Boost in cardiovascular health
Improved bone density
Decreased blood glucose levels

Now keep in mind that in order to maximize these benefits and stay safe during your hot yoga session, you need to stay hydrated. Drink water before, during and after your hot yoga session. You may also want to guzzle a low-calorie sports drink to restore your body’s electrolyte balance.

If you’re pregnant, don’t do hot yoga unless you’ve been given the green light from your doctor. And if you have certain health conditions, such as low blood sugar, heart disease, anorexia or a history of fainting, hot yoga may be too intense for you.

How to Start Hot Yoga at Home

While prepping your space for a hot yoga session requires a little effort, it’s worth it if you don’t have a gym membership or don’t have time to go to an official hot yoga class. Here’s how to set up any room in your home for hot yoga.

Designate one room in your home for you hot yoga session, and close the doors and windows.
Put a small space heater in the room to bring the space to your desired temperature.
Consider adding extra layers if the space heater isn’t getting the room warm enough for your liking.
Bring in a humidifier and steam things up!
Have a water bottle on-hand at all times.
Complete your planned yoga session, making sure to take frequent water breaks throughout.
If you need help coming up with your own hot yoga workout routine, look online or find a favorite workout on YouTube. You can also make things more fun by inviting a friend to come work out with you.

Hot yoga isn’t for everyone. But for those who like a challenging workout that delivers maximum benefits in minimal time, it’s a must-do routine to work into your weekly schedule. Give it a try this week to see if you’ll fall in love with it like I did!

Most people know the benefits of meditation or mindfulness; they understand that regular practice can reduce stress and brighten the mood. Unfortunately, too many people cannot find the hours or minutes in their day to begin a new routine, especially one that does not mesh with the concepts of productivity and hustle.

While work is vital to a successful professional life, if it is not fulfilling, it is not helpful to spiritual or balanced life. No one is saying quit your job. Still, it would be best to find ways to meet mental health needs throughout your day, which is the primary goal of meditation and mindfulness. Thankfully, meditation does not take hours, and there are several ways to fit it into even the busiest schedule.

1. Create a Morning Time Allowance

When you wake up in the morning, do you need to rush from one activity to the next? Does it seem like your shower, coffee, and morning drop-off routines all blur together? If so, you are trying to accomplish too much in too little time.

While no one like to hear it, turning back your clock 15 to 30 minutes can work wonders for morning stress. You can savor your breakfast and set aside a few minutes for a gratitude journal or some other meditative exercise with the extra time.

2. Savor Coffee Breaks

Most businesspeople enjoy a cup of coffee on their morning commute. Do you drive to the office or take public transportation? Riding a subway train or bus to work can allow you to practice a mindfulness exercise without interfering with your day.

As you ride the bus, put in your headphones and listen to relaxing music. Drink your coffee slowly, taking tiny sips. Take a moment to breathe in the aroma. Let the coffee sit in your mouth and allow the taste to settle on your tongue. Breathe deeply in and slowly out.

3. Take a Stroll

What do you do on your lunch break? If you spend 30 minutes in a busy lunchroom or break room, consider taking your lunch outside. If you spend the time alone, you will likely eat faster. If you finish your meal in 15 minutes, that leaves you with another 15 minutes to enjoy a stroll outside.

Studies show that spending even 15 minutes outside can re-energize you. Additionally, breathing in the fresh air can help you relax. Try to focus on the moment: the color of the grass, the feeling of the sun on your face, etc.

4. Practice Mindful Eating

Mindfulness is the practice of focusing on the present moment. The mindfulness ritual can help relieve stress, allowing you to become centered and balanced with your feelings.

Mindful eating is an extension of mindfulness. You want to sit down for a meal or snack and focus only on the act of eating. Take in the smell of the food, its sight, texture, and taste. Allow yourself the time to explore and savor your meal.

By focusing entirely on the meal, you can free your mind of other distracting thoughts. Staying in the moment allows stress to dissipate.

5. Slow Down and Reflect Before Sleep

As in the morning, you want to set aside a few minutes at night for reflection. If possible, it is best to turn off any electronic devices and dim the lights in the hour before bed. Consider making an entry in a gratitude journal or another writing activity during this time.

Meditation and mindfulness are beneficial practices. Incorporating the above techniques can help you establish a mindfulness routine.

Tag: Mindfulness

How and Why To Try Hot Yoga at Home