So many times we get the call “Hi, I’ve never done hot yoga before. And I’ll be honest, I am very afraid of the heat.” Our initial thought is how do you know if you are afraid of it if you’ve never tried it? We go to the gym to get our workout in and sweat and don’t think twice about it. Why is it such an odd concept that we sweat in power yoga too?
What is Power Yoga?
Like anything that is new, power yoga can be intimidating, especially in the beginning. It is a cardio workout, an athletic style of yoga that can easily take the place of your main workout or can be a great supplement to what you already do, whether it’s running, cycling, golfing, dancing, rowing etc.
Power yoga is stretching, strengthening and empowering your body and soul, all while practicing presence. Sounds awesome, right? To those that are intimidated by it, you never know unless you try. The heat is nothing to worry about and here’s why:
• Hydration is key. Most of us are dehydrated and don’t even know it. The recommended consumption is 1/2 of our body weight in ounces of water DAILY. So if you weight 150 pounds, your water intake should be AT LEAST 75 ounces a day. It is strongly recommended that you hydrate always but especially on days you visit Sol. Bring plenty of water with you. Remember, any time you sweat, your body loses electrolytes and sodium so to replenish that daily is VERY important. Smart water and coconut water are great for hydrating.
• When you do any kind of workout, your body and muscles slowly start to warm up before they are able to stretch and lengthen. Practicing power yoga in a hot room warms you right up, allowing you to move more deeply into your practice.
• The heat helps your muscles elongate and allows your body to detox. The sweating helps rinse out all those toxins that collect in your body over time.
• Your body’s temperature is naturally 98.6 degrees. Our studio is heated up to 90 degrees. Other styles, such as Bikram, typically practice in rooms that are 105 degrees or hotter! On a cold day, it is nice to walk into Sol and be able to take your jacket and shoes off and be comfortable.
• The heat actually helps your blood release more oxygen and allows your muscles to absorb extra oxygen while helping get rid of waste products and toxins like carbon dioxide and lactic acid.
• Not only do warm muscles burn fat more easily and quickly than cold muscles, but warm muscles also absorb shock better, are more elastic, and are less susceptible to injury.
If the heat’s been holding you back from expanding your horizons and trying power yoga in a heated room, there’s no better time than now to overcome your fears. Wherever your abilities lie, from basic to advanced, the Sol family is waiting for you with open arms. So don’t fear the heat, embrace it!
Namaste.
