The Genius that is hot yoga
I'm going to say it: hot yoga is genius.
Yoga itself is already a little miracle. Add heat and humidity to the push and pull of yoga and find a whole new twist on this ancient practice.
What's with the heat and humidity? Some say it's about making muscles stretch safely. Some talk about the cooling effect of sweating. Others say it's about transcending the obstacles to reach the pinnacle of human endurance.
They're all right. And more.
Try hot yoga without high heat, and you just feel clammy. Try it without humidity and it's gasp-city. The perfect combination of both is perfect genius.
And what about the tourniquet effect? Think about kinking up a garden hose and turning on the water full blast, holding it for a while, and then letting it go. All that energy wooshing through the hose pushes out more built-up dirt, gunk, and debris. It's just like that with hot yoga; the holding of the poses while you are pressing on body parts and then the letting go...bam. You're cleaner instantly.
Hot yoga isn't soft and gentle, it isn't New Age, and it isn't always pretty. Except that it is. It's not a story you can fully explain. You have be there.
Now get in the room, turn up the heat, and keep your eyes open.
Rhonda Uretzky, E-RYT
Reader Comments (3)
Yoga is being practiced all over the world for its effective result. Ancient exercise like Yoga is one of the most favorite exercise in the world. A well trained Yoga teacher can provide risk free and safe exercise to all.
Haha I experienced clammy the other day, not nearly as enjoyable. One of my heaters went out and my extra little heater just couldn't make up the difference for the heat that was lost. Class still got handled, but oh the sweet hot heat! And of course humidity I don't always love you those hot summer nights but I sure do love you in the studio!
No one loves to sweat on the subway but sweating on hot yoga is awhile different animal!