Finding the best yoga mat can be difficult, especially when there are so many on the market…

But don’t give up yet! OriGym has narrowed down the best yoga mats out there to make sure you can make an informed decision.

If you’re new to yoga, it would be especially difficult to find a brand that you could know and trust without the help of experts. You wouldn’t know whether forking out for the more expensive mat would be worthwhile, as opposed to purchasing a cheaper option.

There are many reasons why you should invest in a yoga mat as you can, of course, go to a yoga studio and take part in a session, a yoga mat can also be used as an all-round exercise mat.

1. Kintsugi – Pro Round Mat

Price: £85.00

We’re kicking off our list of the best yoga mats available in 2022 with a unique product from The Form.

The first thing you’ll notice about this yoga mat is its striking design. Made to mirror the Japanese practice of “kintsugi”, where broken pottery is repaired using veins of gold or silver, it’s a gorgeous choice for the style-conscious yogi.

Now, round yoga mats are few and far between, but they offer one of the most comprehensive experiences for your yoga practice, with full 360 degree cushioning for your poses.

And with a diameter of 140cm, you’re in total control as you transition between asanas.

With innovative sweat-activated grip, and The Form’s cutting-edge cushioning, the Kintsugi combines its unmistakable aesthetic with the latest in exercise technology, and ensures it doesn’t prioritise style over substance.

2. Secoroco Cork Yoga Mat

Price: £49.99

Owning a cork yoga mat is becoming a new trend as people find alternative ways to be eco-friendly. In-depth have produced a relatively thick yoga mat at 3mm to ensure comfort for the yogi.

It’s retail price at £49.99 which as a mid-range priced product does have some fantastic reviews.

The surface is made of natural cork and the bottom is made of vegan rubber and it’s biodegradable.

As a cork yoga mat, it’s waterproof and resistant to moisture. Also, the thought of using mats on a cold floor is not ideal however, the Secoroco yoga mat provides warmth due to the cork material as well.

The yoga mat is free of harmful materials like TPE, PVC and plasticizers which means the ingredients of this mat is fully recyclable.

Due to the mat’s design, this mat can be suitable for men, women or children.

Both sides of the mat can be easily cleaned, it can be washed as well so even in your sweatiest sessions during yoga, you know you can clean the mat with ease!

This mat also comes with a trendy yoga mat bag design so wherever you take your yoga mat, you’ll be sure people will be asking you on where you have got this amazing yoga mat from!

3. With Every Atom Natural Rubber Yoga Mat  

Price: £64.99

If you’re searching for a product that is perfect for use during Bikram or Hot Yoga, then look no further.

This non-slip yoga mat from With Every Atom will provide an incredibly stable surface for your sessions, even when you’re at your sweatiest. It effortlessly wicks away moisture, and its grip strength actually increases the more you sweat!

It is manufactured with a 100% natural and biodegradable tree rubber base, and also comes with a smooth and abrasion-resistant surface of polyurethane. It only weighs 2.5kg and its dimensions are 68cm (W) x 183cm (L)  x 4mm (D), so it’s certainly large enough to give you plenty of space to practice a variety of yoga poses and positions.

There are a wide range of different colours and patterns available, including: black, charcoal, red, priscilla, leopard print, pink leopard print, and more, so there is certainly something for everyone.

The product also has glowing reviews on Amazon, with many customers praising it for its texture and sweat-wicking abilities; 98% of them have left a positive review!

4. Yogamatters Sticky Yoga Mat

Price: £20.00

Yogamatters mat has the perfect lightweight portability to carry your mat to your yoga classes and for the mat only weighing 1.2kg it can be taken to almost anywhere!

This thick yoga mat has a 6mm which is brilliant when performing the hardest postures.

As an Amazon yoga mat it’s hard to stand out from the sheer mats on the market. As a yoga mat, the stability of your mat is needed in order for any yogi to concentrate on their breathing and hold the posture for a period of time.

Topplus have created a mat that has a double-layered structure to the mat ensuring optimal grip!

Also what’s a great positive from this is that once this product has been purchased, you will receive a 12 month warranty.

Prices costs £20.00 dependent on colour and there are a range of 17 colours to choose from so there’s plenty of choice! It’s definitely a cheap yoga mat to try out!

5. Willow of London Rainbow Yoga Mat

Price: £79.99

Practising yoga with a product that makes you stand out from the crowd can certainly add to the experience of feeling more in touch with yourself. In OriGym’s article on the pros and cons of yoga, we discuss more on how yoga promotes this kind of mindfulness, if you’re interested in learning more.

If you find yourself drawn to rainbow designs through their heavy connotations of hope and positive energy, then this is the perfect yoga mat for you!

Since it is manufactured with natural and eco-friendly materials, the mat is hygienic as well as being incredibly sustainable compared to other products on the market.

It has a natural rubber base that is also padded, meaning that it will prevent you from slipping and injuring yourself during yoga sessions, as well as keeping you comfortable.

It is 63cm x 180cm, and 4mm thick. Its thickness only adds to its durability, and it should certainly stand the test of time thanks to this, as well as the fact that it is impeccably made. We would highly recommend checking this product out if you’re on the lookout for something strong yet lightweight to take along to your yoga sessions!

6. Proworks Large Padded Yoga Mat 

Price: £15.95

Proworks has one of the most affordable Amazon yoga mats in the UK. Starting price for this yoga mat costs at £15.95.

The Proworks padded yoga mat can also be used for a variety of other sports activities such as yoga, gymnastics, Pilates, general stretches and abdominal exercises. This mat is perfect for any type of work out.

The thick yoga mat is made out of latex-free and free NBR foam which means that these yoga mats provide superior comfort and support during your exercise routines.

The mats are very good for both indoor and outdoor use. The yoga mat is super easy to set up and ensures that the mat stays on the floor without any curls which are a nuisance to all yogis!

It’s always great to have a strap provided because you can tightly wrap up the mat to make it transportable and easy to carry.

The yoga mats come in 6 colours so there’s plenty of choices to choose from, this is definitely a cheap yoga mat to consider!

7. KeenFlex Yoga Mat

Price: £24.99 – £29.99

KeenFlex is a fantastic product that you will need for any mat-based exercise.

The yoga mat provides fantastic support for your knees, hips and elbows whilst providing comfort when you do these exercises.

The support comes from a 6mm thick yoga mat. This mat provides ample support during your workouts.

The mat also comes with a free strap which is a bonus as the mat is very lightweight at 1.1kg. This means the travel yoga mat can be taken with you anywhere.

There are two layers to the mat where the top part is slip-resistant which enhances grip whilst the bottom has a wavy non-slip design to ensure extra traction on any surfaces.

The beautifully made mats have been made to ensure you will stand out from the crowd due to the design of the mat. There’s also a range of 7 colours to choose from so you will definitely pick your favourite colour from the list.

The KeenFlex exercise mat can be used for Pilates, gymnastics and more!

The yoga mat is also fully recyclable does not contain any toxins in the mat. It’s a fantastic choice that only provides health benefits.

The prices range from £24.99 – £29.99 depending on colour, this is a reasonably cheap yoga mat to purchase.

8. TJC Yoga Mat

Price: £18.99

TJC is an environmentally-minded brand that creates top-quality products that are kind to the planet and your skin.

Their range of yoga mats are made from recycled PVC material to prevent the body from sliding around mid-flow.

They feature a 10mm double-layered foam cushioning to provide excellent support for the spine, hips, knees, and elbows on hard floors.

Yet, while a thick yoga mat, it is super lightweight and easy to roll to carry with you.

Whether you want to take your mat to the gym, while walking to a Pilates class, or for your at-home gym space, TJC’s mat promises easy portability.

Another perk is that cleaning your mat has never been easier. Simply wipe down the mat with an antibacterial wipe or with a warm cloth and you’re done!

We’d recommend leaving your mat to dry for a minute or two before rolling up and storing away.

Now, if you’re someone who enjoys working out in vibrant coloured clothes, why not opt for a yoga mat to match?

TJC’s range comes in a spectrum of cool colours. These include:

• Purple
• Fluorescent green
• Blue
• Pink
• Classic black

With that, why not get your hands on one of the best yoga mats in the UK today?

9. Lulu Lemon Reversible 5MM Yoga Mat

Price: £68.00

This is a fantastic yoga mat, that ensures comfort for all shapes and sizes. The mat has a natural rubber material which means that the durability of the yoga mats lasts longer. This means that it’s tear-resistant in comparison to other mats.

The natural rubber material is also good to know it’s an eco-friendly material. It’s a non-slip and odourless material. It is a rubber free and latex-free material which could be detrimental for your health. Lulu Lemon has also designed patterns to provide a superior grip.

The wave grip will enhance performance on all surfaces. This Amazon yoga mat comes with a free strap so you can take it on the go, whether it would be to the gym, work or outdoors.

What’s also very good is the free strap as it’s very portable and light, and makes the product a perfect travel yoga mat.

The price begins at £68.00 so it’s a fantastic yoga mat to purchase.

There is also a fantastic range of 9 colours so you will definitely stand up from the crowd. It’s also very good as it’s a reasonably thick yoga mat at 5mm which means you can still have a yoga mat that provides comfort and stability.

10. JLL® Yoga Mat

Price: £9.99

The Jll yoga mat is a fantastic mat and is one of our most affordable on the list at a retail price of £9.99

This mat is perfect for yoga beginners who just want to buy something and test out a mat without breaking the bank!

The mat has an antibacterial finish, easy to clean and it is very durable. This means even in your hot yoga sessions the yoga mat is very hygienic and can be cleaned in seconds.

It’s a 6 mm mat so it’s more than capable of providing safety and comfort when you go into your postures. Due to how easy it is with the carry case, it means that you can use this to take the mat with you every day for outdoor use and indoor use.

The product can be chosen in a choice of 4 colours so you will definitely stand out from the crowd.

11. Core Balance Mandala Printed Spiritual Yoga Exercise Mat

Price: £7.99

Another one from Core Balance is a brilliant choice for its retail price at £7.99. The most affordable yoga mat out of the list.

The stunning print from Core Balance nurtures your spiritual side when practising yoga. The moderately thick yoga mat provides good support and stability even when you’re practising the most difficult yoga poses.

Due to the yoga mat’s design, it provides superior traction ensuring the mat does not slip. The foam mat is lightweight and has a free carry strap which you can easily carry over your shoulder.

This means that you can take your yoga mat wherever you want to practice. The moisture-resistant material means that the hot yoga sessions will not be a worry. It’s also fast drying to prevent you from sliding around during the workouts.

The mat also comes in 3 colours so the choice is a little limited however the patterns on the yoga mat makes up for it! As mentioned earlier, Core Balance provides a customer service team to assist with any queries and questions. Therefore this product has to be on the list!

#12 – Opti Basic 4mm Thick Yoga Mat

Price: £10.00

If you’re after a cheap yoga mat, Opti’s range is for you.

Priced at a mere £10, this exercise mat will make the perfect addition to your yoga classes.

They’re made from lightweight PVC material that has small ridges built into the design for enhanced grip.

The PVC also makes it super easy to roll your mat tightly and tucked under your arm or into a gym bag.

Another great perk of this material is that it is one of the easiest fabrics to clean, even after the sweatiest of workouts! Simply wipe down the mat after exercising and it’s good to go.

The Opti mat has a 0.4cm thickness which is relatively thin as yoga mats go but still highly durable and supportive.

If you’re not quite convinced, you should check out the reviews.

It has an average rating of 4.5 out of 5 stars, awarded by over 1,200 happy customers. 92% of these said that they’d recommend the product to a friend.

Reviewers comment that the product is everything you could ever need in a yoga mat for a price that is difficult to beat.

So, if you’re after one of the best yoga mats on the market that most certainly won’t break the bank, we urge you to follow the link above to find out more about Opti’s incredible range.

13. Sweaty Betty Yoga Mat

Price: £65.00

Sweaty Betty has produced a thick yoga mat, at 4mm it makes the yoga flows very enjoyable. It’s perfect for any home work out training equipment.

It has a premium material as it’s a soft NBR foam. Due to the 4mm thickness, it would be a great investment to last your whole yoga journey! It’s one of the best on the market £65.00

Weight 2kg, the great strap that’s provided will be able to take your yoga mat everywhere. What’s also good is that it can be stored safely between classes.

Sweaty Betty has produced a textured surface to ensure that you will not slip as you transition to each yoga pose. The yoga mat also grips on the floor very well so it should never slide beneath your feet.

It’s very easy to clean, as it’s simple as a wipe down surface which means it will keep bacteria and germs at bay. What’s fantastic about this Sweaty Betty yoga mat they have a 30-day return policy.

In terms of colour, Sweaty Betty yoga mat has 2 colours however the design of the mat should encourage you to buy it. It’s definitely a relatively cheap yoga mat to consider!

14. Ekotex Reclaimed Cork Matt

Price: £55.00

Next on our list of the best yoga mats in the UK is something a little different.

Ekotex’s ‘Miracle mat’ is a reclaimed cork yoga mat made from recycled materials within the EU.

The base of the mat is made from recycled EVA foam and the surface is a combination of rubber and cork granules which are by-products of Ekotex’s other products.

While many would assume that combining these materials would make the mat hard, it’s actually quite the opposite.

The springy mat has a softness that makes it suitable for resting your palms, elbows, knees, and spine while offering incredible support.

However, Ekotex notes that their reclaimed cork mat is best suited for someone who has been practising yoga for at least 6 months.

This is because beginners are best using softer yoga mats like foam until they’ve built up their strength and mastered the basic yoga poses.

The dimensions of this mat are 183cm x 65 cm x 5 mm and so are still a viable option if a compact design is on your list of priorities.

While slightly more expensive than other options on this list, we believe that Ekotex’s range is a worthy contender since they make products with the planet in mind.

Furthermore, this is one of the best yoga mats in the UK for sustainability-conscious people wanting great-quality yoga equipment.

15. Yoga Mat with Portable Strap

Price: £23.44

All avid yogis have experienced having a yoga mat that can be a bit of a faff to roll up with many of them coming loose easily.

If this sounds like something that you can relate to, we have a viable solution for you.

This mat and strap are incredibly useful for yogis on the move.

Whether you walk to your local yoga class or pop your tools in the car for a post-work session, having a shoulder strap on your yoga mat makes portability super straightforward.

The yoga mat itself is made from high-density TPE material that is made from recycled materials.

With that, neither the mat nor the strap are made from any irritating ingredients like metals or toxic coatings and so are kind to the skin.

The mat is also engraved with alignment lines that help you to focus on your flow without slipping. This ensures that the mat is suitable for a range of activities, such as:

• Bikram
• Hot yoga
• Pilates

Priced at just over £23 for a mat and strap, this is a relatively cheap yoga mat option and one that benefits those who want a one-stop-shop for their yoga equipment.

Plus, selecting this option supports local, independent businesses on Etsy which is always a great bonus.

16. Maximo Yoga Mat

Price: £26.97

Next on our list of the best yoga mats in the UK is a product by Maximo who is on a mission to provide yoga enthusiasts with some of the thickest yoga mats on the market.

The average thickness for a yoga mat is 6mm and while these can be good, they can often wear down quite quickly.

Maximo’s range, on the other hand, is an incredible 12mm thick and one that we guarantee will remain in your yoga tool collection for a long time.

The mat is constructed with durable NBR foam which provides unparalleled support for a plethora of floor-based activities.

Whether you enjoy engaging in yoga on one day or Pilates on another, with some ab workouts trickled in between, this yoga mat will keep you supported and comfortable for each session.

The mat also has a superior, water-resistant coating that makes cleaning really easy.

This also means that you can engage in sweatier sessions like hot yoga without worrying about the heat affecting your mat’s quality.

As ever, when on the hunt for the best yoga mats online, checking out reviews will help you to make an informed decision.

You’ll be pleased to know that Maximo’s range has been awarded 5-stars by over 11,000 happy customers.

Why don’t you see what all the rage is about? We’re sure you’ll love it!

17. Komodo Tri Folding Yoga Mat

Price: £44.97

Komodo has one of the best Amazon yoga mats as they offer something a little different from conventional mats.

This yoga mat can be folded down into 3 sections to create an easy-to-carry square mat, especially with the attached handles.

Thanks to the padded material, this is one of the thickest yoga mats on offer coming in at 5cm.

This is beneficial if you’re someone who enjoys doing your yoga sessions from home as this yoga mat absorbs a lot of noise and vibrations from your workout.

This allows others in your home to not be disturbed by your session and you can push yourself to the max worry-free.

The inside of Komodo’s yoga mat is made from high-density foam which is covered with a PU leather cover.

PU leather is a great material for easy cleaning – simply wipe down your yoga mat with an antibacterial wipe or a damp, soapy cloth so that it’s nice and clean for your next session.

Komono offers a range of colours to add some personality to your yoga tools. These include:

• Black
• Light or dark blue
• Green
• Grey
• Purple

We definitely think that you should consider this great-quality, Amazon yoga mat in time for your next yoga flow.

Before you go!

After looking at our selection of the best yoga mats in the UK, we hope you found the perfect mat for you to start your yoga journey.

Interested in a fitness career? You can always download our latest prospectus here, or go take a look at our Level 3 Yoga teacher course to get a taste of what you could be learning!

Doing yoga in a hot room might not seem like a fun activity, but the benefits of hot yoga definitely make it worthwhile (and you’ll probably enjoy it just as much too!). Sure, you’ll be sweating a bit more but this has its own advantages for the body, and you’ll also be building on some of the fundamental principles of yoga as well.

Hot yoga isn’t just about improving your flexibility and meditating; here at OriGym, we’ve put together this guide on all of the hot yoga benefits and risks so you can figure out if this practice is for you! We’ll cover the following topics.

Contents

1. What Is Hot Yoga?
2. Different Types Of Hot Yoga
3. The Benefits Of Hot Yoga
4. Hot Yoga Risks
5. Hot Yoga…Does It Work?
6. FAQs

Before you read on, check out our Yoga Teacher Training course to find out how you can kickstart a dream career.  You can also download your own OriGym course prospectus to learn more about this Level 3 qualification.

What is Hot Yoga?

Hot yoga is just that – yoga done in a heated environment!

Typically, it means yoga performed in a studio or room heated to about 35֯ degrees. However, different styles and studios can be warmer or cooler than this. It all depends on your preferences, and the style of hot yoga you are trying!

Hot yoga can maybe seem a bit intimidating to a beginner, or even someone who has been doing regular yoga for a while, but it’s a fun and easy activity with so many health benefits. Since its arrival into the world of exercise in the 1970s hot yoga has exploded in popularity; a testament to its effectiveness and fun factor.

There’s a plethora of different styles and forms of hot yoga to choose from, all with varying techniques and theories.

In fact, there are at least 24 different styles of yoga that you can practice!

You can follow one of these established styles to ease you in, but if you’re feeling confident you can make your own routine and get started with any asana (yoga pose) you choose. Just don’t forget to bring a water bottle, as hydration is key when doing hot yoga.

Most yoga studios and many gyms now run hot yoga classes, and doing it as part of a group with a good instructor is a good way to get started.

Hot yoga can be done alone at home but is usually done in groups, in specially heated rooms or studios. It’s a great social activity!

The benefits of hot yoga go way beyond making new friends, however. It can increase flexibility, burn calories, reduce stress, and much, much more!

The Different Types of Hot Yoga

Yoga can be daunting at times, especially with its myriad of poses, yoga symbols, and variations. By following one of these styles, you should have a comprehensive, and streamlined introduction to hot yoga!

Bikram Yoga

History of Bikram

Bikram Yoga is the original and arguably the most widespread form of hot yoga.

It began in the 1970s when a yoga instructor in Japan began hosting yoga sessions in a sauna, to replicate the heat of India!

Bikram yoga is highly structured as there is a set sequence of 26 poses that are performed in the same order, every session. Bikram Yoga includes 24 asanas (or poses) and 2 breathing exercises, and there is no transition movement between the different poses. Bikram Yoga can only be taught by a qualified Bikram Instructor.

You can find out how to become a Bikram yoga instructor from OriGym’s guide!

The studio is heated to exactly 40֯ degrees, ideally with high humidity. The setting of Bikram Yoga is very important: a mirror wall is a necessary feature to allow participants to view and correct their postures.

Bikram yoga is slightly less relaxed than other forms, as its rules and setting are so specific. However, it will provide a really engaging introduction to hot yoga: if you feel like you weren’t experienced before doing Bikram, I’m sure you’ll come out of your first session feeling like an expert!

It’s a great way to learn about hot yoga from experienced, knowledgeable instructors. Bikram yoga is a really established and respected form of hot yoga.

Benefits of Bikram Yoga

The benefits of Bikram hot yoga don’t stop with simply educating you about hot yoga, however. This yoga style has many health benefits. The hot Bikram yoga benefits include:

• Ridding the body of toxins
• Increasing flexibility
• Improving lower body strength
• Boosting overall balance.

Plus, the relative intensity of Bikram Yoga means it makes for a surprisingly effective cardiovascular workout. Another one of the specific benefits of Bikram hot yoga is it improves focus due to its highly structured nature!

Moksha Yoga

History of Moksha

Moksha yoga is a slightly more recent form of hot yoga: it was formulated in 2004 by the Canadian yoga instructor, Ted Grand. It is also sometimes known as “Modo” yoga.

It shares some similarities with Bikram yoga, whilst being distinct and unique. Moksha yoga really emphasises a holistic approach; not only does it have physical health benefits, but also mental health benefits, as well as promoting social aspects like environmentalism and the community.

As such, Moksha hot yoga sessions are often offered at a discounted rate to promote yoga for everyone!

Moksha hot yoga is similar to the Bikram form in that there is a set schedule of poses every session, however, unlike Bikram, the schedule is decided by the individual instructor. There are usually around 45 poses every session, usually lasting around 90 minutes.

Moksha is an adaptable set of yoga positions and this flexibility is reflected in the positions themselves!

This practice has more of a focus on building strength and flexibility. Every session of moksha yoga begins and ends with the savasana pose, which emphasises relaxation and calm.

Benefits of Moksha Yoga

The benefits of Moksha hot yoga aren’t limited to the physical side of things. They include:

• Promoting relaxation and mindfulness
• Improving flexibility
• Increasing strength
• Improving cardiovascular health
• Improving bone density

Baptiste Power Vinyasa Yoga

History of Baptiste Power Yoga

A bit of a mouthful to be sure, but this form of hot yoga is a relaxed, fun way to get involved!

Named after its founder, Baron Baptiste, this form of hot yoga takes place in a slightly cooler studio than some other forms, with the ideal temperature being 32-35֯ degrees. Don’t worry though, this is still hot enough to get all the health benefits of hot yoga!

Baron Baptiste drew from other hot yoga pioneers when creating this style, including Bikram yoga. As a Vinyasa form of yoga, there is a real emphasis on smooth, flowing transitions between poses. The Power aspect in its name refers to the intensity of the movements: Power yoga will really improve your athleticism!

Baptise Power Vinyasa Yoga is defined by its five pillars:

• Breath
• Heat
• Flow
• Gaze
• Core stabilisation

—–

Breath refers to the necessity of strong, deep breathing whilst holding the poses, which is something that can take some practice! Heat, of course, is the requirement that the room is heated, and the flow pillar is the practice of flowing movements and transitions. The gaze aspect of the pillars means you must hold a consistent gaze at a certain point or object in the room. The core stabilisation is a bit more complex – it involves continually drawing in your stomach, to provide a strong, stable core for more effective yoga poses!

Benefits of Baptiste Power Yoga

The Baptise Power Vinyasa Yoga style allows the instructor to choose his own routine and postures, with the guidance of the five pillars. This means it can be adapted for yogis of all abilities.

It’s a really varied and customisable form of hot yoga, which makes it really attractive to a lot of yoga enthusiasts. In fact, check out our comparison of hatha yoga vs vinyasa yoga as these are 2 of the most popular forms of yoga – find out why!

It has even been adopted by the American football team the Philadelphia Eagles, who are no doubt attracted to its ability to make practitioners stronger and more relaxed. Quite the endorsement for the health benefits of hot Vinyasa yoga!

Hot Power Yoga

History of Hot Power Yoga

The clue is in the name when it comes to this final form of hot yoga we will be looking at!

It became popular in the 1990s when two yoga instructors wanted to find a way of making yoga more accessible to Western, fitness-orientated sports enthusiasts. As it is more strenuous than other types of hot yoga, the room it takes place in is usually slightly cooler than a standard hot yoga class. Hot power yoga classes can usually be found at gyms and other non-yoga specific sites, making them a really flexible option.

Again, as the name suggests, it has some aspects in common with the Baptise Power Vinyasa Yoga style. One of the benefits of this approach is how flexible it is; it really encourages practitioners to build their own sequences, and personalise their sessions to a range of requirements.

Both beginners and experienced yoga fans can really benefit from hot power yoga!

The power yoga aspect of hot power yoga is really key, as it refers to a high-intensity, fitness-based yoga session. It can be a lot more frenetic and intense than a more meditation-based yoga style, so be prepared for that!

Hot power yoga provides a great option for fitness enthusiasts who aren’t focused on the more holistic elements of yoga; more workout, less Zen!

Benefits of Hot Power Yoga

The health benefits of hot power yoga are quite simple really – its high intensity, cardiovascular exercise approach makes it ideal for people trying to lose weight, as well as providing the other pluses of hot yoga in general. Intense exercise plus a hot environment equals burned calories!

However, it should be noted that hot power yoga should be approached with caution, especially for those with heart issues, and hydration is immensely important so make sure you take a water bottle with you.

What are The Benefits of Hot Yoga?

So you’re up to speed with some of the different types of hot yoga, and hopefully, you’ve seen one that looks like it could be for you!

There are so many health benefits to hot yoga; we’re going to break them down, as well as explain some of the risks involved.

Let’s jump into our 9 benefits of hot yoga!

#1 Increases Flexibility

This is probably one of the more obvious hot yoga benefits, as ultimately this is still a form of yoga and yoga is renowned for its flexibility boosting effects.

If you’re a beginner that finds the majority of yoga poses difficult to get into then switching to hot yoga could be more beneficial to you as hot yoga can improve flexibility even more so than ordinary yoga.

A study comparing the effects of hot yoga and thermoneutral yoga found that the participants’ flexibility increased by an extra 10% during the hot yoga session compared to standard yoga. The heat helps to loosen up the muscles and joints, allowing for increased flexibility and range of motion when performing yoga, as well as in daily life.

This can also help reduce aches and pains!

Whilst you might be put off a little by the added heat in a yoga studio, the benefits of sweating in hot yoga and improved flexibility can soon make it worthwhile.

#2 Boosts Men’s Health

Men’s health has been in the spotlight recently, with issues like stress, mental health, and high blood pressure leading to complications being highlighted as particularly prevalent in men. Whilst these problems are by no means exclusive to men, the proportion of which they affect males is a huge concern.

Fortunately, some of the benefits of hot yoga for men can really help to reduce the impact of these issues!

Hot yoga has been proven to reduce stress through its mindfulness techniques, namely yoga breathing. This is where the practitioner focuses on controlled and deep breathing: this is beneficial to the body as it encourages calmness and can lower the heart rate. Being more aware of your breathing can help alleviate anxieties, bringing you more in tune with your body and grounded with the earth.

Mindfulness and deep breathing can also help to manage mental health issues like anxiety.

So instead of constantly going for a high-intensity, fast-paced exercise program you should try incorporating some hot yoga poses into your workouts to still build strength and stamina but with a little more focus on the mind.

#3 Regulates Blood Sugar

Yes, that’s right; hot yoga can even help keep your blood sugar at healthy levels.

This is due to two main reasons: the stress-relieving side of yoga and then the fact that yoga is also a form of exercise.

Hyperglycemia, or high blood sugar levels, is a dangerous occurrence seen most commonly in people with diabetes. High blood sugars can have detrimental effects on a person’s long term health if left untreated, such as damage to the kidneys and eyes, and even short term problems such as severe dehydration and diabetic ketoacidosis.

One key cause of hyperglycemia is stress. It is imperative for diabetics, both type 1 and type 2, to try and reduce stress as much as possible and practise stress-reducing techniques. This is where yoga, and the hot yoga benefits, come in!

The meditative and mindfulness that hot yoga promotes are effective ways of relieving stress in diabetics. Plus, the movements and poses involved with yoga are a gentle form of exercise that can help lower high glucose levels and improve circulation in a low impact manner.

Interestingly, a study in the Journal of Bodywork and Movement Therapies suggests that hot yoga is particularly effective in lowering glucose levels in the bloodstream of older participants.

It is important to note, however, that due to the added heat element of hot yoga diabetics should take precautions when participating as both exercise and heat have the potential to lower blood sugar levels. Take extra care as blood glucose could fall too low.

#4 Burns More Calories

The benefits of hot yoga for weight loss are an attractive aspect for many participants; any cardiovascular exercise will burn calories and increase weight loss, and hot yoga is no exception to that.

This is due to the added heat as well as the movements involved in hot yoga. In particular, fast-moving vinyasa-based hot yoga routines are particularly good for losing weight as these require more intensity and pace in movements, increasing cardiovascular activity.

The heat aspect of hot yoga also helps as this further raises the heart rate and increases the amount of sweating during the exercise, all of which increase calorie burning.

This has been discussed in a study in the International Journal of Yoga Therapy which states that:

“Hot yoga classes do advertise the number of calories burned in the class due to the elevated temperature, which increases the level of effort by individuals”(Mace and Eggleston, 2016).

This need for additional effort is what ultimately will help you burn more calories!

So if yoga is your go-to workout but you want to lose a little extra weight then the hot yoga benefits for weight loss could help you reach your fitness goals more effectively.

If you want to get fit but aren’t sure where to start then use OriGym’s free home workout generator – you’ll get a home workout plan that’s completely tailored to your needs!

#5 Aids the Respiratory System

This one should come as no surprise; with the focus on breathing techniques and depth, hot yoga can provide a range of benefits for the respiratory system.

Pranayama is an aspect of hot yoga and is a form of breathing techniques and exercises that can improve and increase lung capacity. Deeper breathing will force the lungs to expand more than usual, increasing their elasticity. Over time this will mean you’re breathing will be stronger!

We mentioned above that practising hot yoga requires more effort which increases the heart rate, and this cardiovascular exercise will also help boost your respiratory system through the transportation of essential nutrients.

Improved breathing also allows more oxygen to enter the bloodstream and reach your organs, which will result in overall better general health.

#6 Improves Your Skin

The benefits of sweating in hot yoga might not be immediately obvious: sweat is often just dismissed as an unpleasant by-product of exercise, but it actually has some real health benefits and sweat is a guarantee in hot yoga!

Sweating plays an essential role in keeping the human body healthy. As we sweat toxins are flushed out from the body, removing potentially harmful substances and bacteria. This benefits us as this is how the body cleans out pores which can help keep your skin blemish-free!

This flushing out can be really helpful to those with oily skin or who are prone to acne.

The deep breathing aspect of hot yoga benefits the skin as well. As more oxygen is taken into the bloodstream via these deep breaths the nutrients and oxygen are brought to the skin cells.

#7 Aids the Lymphatic System

The lymphatic system is the less well-known cousin of the immune system, but it is just as vital in keeping our bodies healthy and free of disease.

This biological system is a complex network of tissues and organs that forms part of the circulatory and immune systems, with the primary function of transporting lymph around the body. Lymph is a vital liquid that contains white blood cells, needed to fight infections.

There are a few ways to keep your lymphatic system in top condition with exercise being one of the more effective. The main lymph vessels are situated in the arms, legs, and torso, so practising yoga can help move lymph around the body.

Additionally, as we mentioned earlier, hot yoga can help flush out toxins via sweat which is essentially providing an extra boost to the lymphatic system. This is because another one of the lymphatic system’s functions is to act as a filter for the body, removing harmful substances from the bloodstream.

Therefore, when we sweat and flush out toxins, we’re helping out the lymphatic system! Hot yoga really works up a sweat, so this will really aid in flushing out toxins and other harmful things.

A strong lymphatic system will help the body fight off disease and infections.

#8 Boosts Concentration

There’s not a lot of substantial research to support this but consensus and anecdotal evidence seem to support the idea that hot yoga can improve concentration.

Certainly, Baptiste Power Vinyasa yoga with its emphasis on the “gaze” would aid concentration, as you are focusing on a specific point for a long period of time and essentially training your brain to remain focused for the entirety of this period.

This interview with Olga Allon, the owner of a Bikram hot yoga studio in London, supports the theory that hot yoga, and particularly when discussing the benefits of Bikram hot yoga, aids concentration as she states that:

“Each posture in the series requires concentration, patience, determination and self-control.”

Whilst this may not be one of the proven hot yoga benefits it is still worthwhile participating in as you may find that your concentration is improved!

#9 Strengthens Bones

That’s right, hot yoga can help increase bone strength and increase density! This is one of the most important health benefits of hot yoga for older practitioners, as once we hit thirty, our bone density begins to reduce year on year.

But how does it work?

It’s quite simple: it’s been proven that yoga puts more weight and tension on the bones, as yoga postures force the skeleton to support the body’s weight in unfamiliar positions and distributions. It does this without putting extra stress on cartilage or joints. As the bone is forced to take more weight, the theory is it becomes strong.

A study in Harvard Women’s Health Watch investigated the effects of a 12-minute daily yoga routine on 741 people over the course of 2 years. Among the results of this research were some already well-known effects such as improved balance and coordination, but also showed significant increases in the bone density of the spine and some improvements in the density of the hip bones.

Hot yoga provides a good way to reduce the risk of osteoporosis, a disease that reduces bone density and really limits mobility, as well as improving balance which can reduce the risk of falls and fractures as well.

Hot Yoga Risks

Now that we’ve gone through the benefits to hot yoga, we also need to explain a few of the risks that are involved with this practice.

#1 Overheating

Firstly, due to the increased temperature of the room, there is a risk of overheating. When you first start hot yoga you need to pay extra attention to your body and learn to recognise when you’re overheating. If you suddenly feel dizzy or like you’re about to faint then notify someone right away and take a break.

Other symptoms of overheating include confusion, flushed or dry skin, strong pulse or unusually slow pulse, and increased sweating. Obviously, it can be hard to distinguish between these symptoms and the usual effects of exercise so it is important to be aware of your limits and look after your body.

Heat exhaustion and overheating is uncommon but is still a risk in any hot climate, so be vigilant!

#2 Dehydration

Similarly, dehydration is another risk with exercise and hot yoga. Again, symptoms will include dizziness, feeling thirsty and tired, having a dry mouth, lips, and dry eyes. Have regular water breaks during your hot yoga practice – this is where a larger water bottle will come in handy to make sure you’re staying hydrated.

If you find the heat in the yoga studio too much then leave the room and rest. It is important to pay attention to your body to avoid the risks of hot yoga which can include heat exhaustion and heatstroke. It can take a while to become accustomed to this practice so don’t feel embarrassed or self-conscious if you need to remove yourself from the session.

It is recommended that women who are pregnant do not participate in hot yoga as excessive heat can cause damage to the fetus. Additionally, those who suffer from heart conditions or diabetes should discuss with the doctor before engaging in hot yoga.

Does Hot Yoga Work?

That really depends on what you’re asking, but, in the vast majority of cases, the answer is a resounding yes!

However, the key is finding the form or style of hot yoga that works for you, makes you feel comfortable, and helps you achieve your goals. There are many different styles, with varying benefits, so there’s almost certainly going to be one for you!

Many people turn to hot yoga as an engaging and fun way to lose weight, and a form of hot power yoga would certainly be effective for burning calories.

By contrast, some people start hot yoga for mental health benefits and Moksha certainly provides this; it is strongly focused on the spiritual side of things and is a great way to relax whilst helping your community.

One thing that all forms of hot yoga have however are the social benefits. Hot yoga is a fantastic way to meet new people, and experience new cultures. Find a class and have a go today to reap some of these fantastic hot yoga benefits!

FAQs

What To Wear To Hot Yoga

The fundamental principles and movements are similar to that of standard yoga so your workout clothes don’t need to be too different.

Yoga leggings or shorts with a loose top or sports bra are good choices for your practice as these won’t hinder your movement or range of motion.

It is recommended that you ensure your clothes have moisture and sweat-wicking properties as the benefits of sweating in hot yoga can, unfortunately, lead to skin problems if left untreated. By wearing specialist workout gear you can help reduce the risk of this.

How Many Calories Does Hot Yoga Burn?

Unfortunately, this question can be difficult to answer concisely due to the range of variables involved. The type of hot yoga, the temperature of the studio, the duration of the class, the intensity of the session, and even the individual practitioner all have an effect on the number of calories burned during a hot yoga session.

That being said, in a Bikram hot yoga session, which is typically 90 minutes long, a person can burn from 330 calories to around 460 calories on average.

How Hot Is Hot Yoga?

The temperature of the studio for hot yoga is typically 40 degrees. In comparison, the normal room temperature (which you’d expect a normal yoga studio to be at) is around 20 to 25 degrees.

What Do You Need For Hot Yoga?

This again is very similar to what you would expect to take with you to a non-hot yoga practice. However, there are some items that are probably more important in hot yoga practice.

There are a few items that are essential:

• Yoga mat
• Yoga towel
• Water bottle

These are the basics that you’ll definitely need during a hot yoga session, and a larger water bottle is recommended as the increased temperature will mean more risk of dehydration.

If you’re a yoga beginner then it can be beneficial to take some yoga props along with you, such as yoga blocks or a yoga cushion, as these help you bend and twist into poses with less difficulty.

Conclusion

Yoga is a centuries-old practice with proven effects on the human body and combined with a little extra heat a whole new variety of hot yoga benefits are available.

From boosting the condition of our skin to strengthening joints and bones, hot yoga is definitely worth giving a go! Just be sure to take a water bottle with you and stay as hydrated as possible.

If you’re passionate about this practice and would like to lead your own classes, enquire about our Level 3 Yoga Teacher Training Qualification! During this course you’ll learn the vital skills needed to plan and deliver sessions for groups of all sizes.

Download our FREE course prospectus before you go to learn more!

References:

1. Campbell, H. K. (2015). The Comparative Effects of Hot Yoga and Thermoneutral Yoga on Flexibility, Heart Rate, Sweat Rate, and Mood. Theses and Dissertations
2. Mace, C. and Eggleston, B. (2016). Self-Reported Benefits and Adverse Outcomes of Hot Yoga Participation. International Journal of Yoga Therapy, 26(1), pp.49–53.
3. Publishing, H.H. (2016). Yoga: Another Way to Prevent Osteoporosis? [online] Harvard Health. Available at: https://www.health.harvard.edu/womens-health/yoga-another-way-to-prevent-osteoporosis.
4. S D Hunter, M Dhindsa, E Cunningham, T Tarumi, M Alkatan, H Tanaka, 2013, Improvements in glucose tolerance with Bikram yoga in older obese adults: A pilot study. Journal of Bodywork and Movement Therapies 17 (4)

Want to find out more about the pros and cons of yoga?Whether you’re already a yogi or you’re somebody looking for a good reason to start practicing yoga, you’re in the right place.

Below you’ll find all of the best things about yoga that will have you reaching straight for your yoga mat.

But before we get started –  if you want to turn your passion for health and fitness into an exciting new career, enquire about our Level 3 Diploma In Yoga or download our online course prospectus for more information on the range of courses that we offer!

Also, feel free to download our FREE 45 Minute Yoga Sequence Workout below:

Yoga Pros and Cons: The Pros

Whether you’re here looking for more info on how your yoga practice is benefiting your mind and body, or you’re thinking about getting started with yoga and you want to know more about it, we’re here to share all of the best things about yoga.

We aren’t completely biased, so we will be covering both the pros and the cons.

Although as you’ll see, the cons list is significantly smaller, and that’s simply because there really aren’t that many disadvantages of yoga!

If you’re here for the specific pros and cons of hot yoga (or bikram), don’t sweat it because we’ll cover all of those very soon!

But for now, we’re going to get started by explaining the pros of yoga in general.

#1 Yoga Improves Flexibility

One of the most well known pros of practicing yoga is that it really improves your flexibility.

A lot of people hesitate to start yoga because they believe that they ‘aren’t flexible enough’ to keep up with the rest of the class, but a lack of flexibility really isn’t a reason to avoid yoga!

You don’t need to be flexible in the first place because regardless of where you start, you’ll find that your flexibility improves naturally the more you practice certain poses.

By practising yoga and improving your flexibility, you’ll loosen your muscles and improve your range of motion.

This has transferable benefits for other forms of exercise, plus an improved range of motion reduces the likelihood of an exercise-related injury!

Specifically, practicing yoga is beneficial for strengthening and loosening your hip joints, which helps with the hip hinge movement.

Whether you’re a runner, or a regular gym-goer who enjoys a good full-body kettlebell workout, improving the flexibility of your hip joints decreases the amount of stress on the joints during exercise, making it less likely that you’ll get a nasty knee injury.

As you can see, the yoga pros for flexibility extend a lot further than helping you to hold one of these challenging yoga poses for 2.

For this reason alone we’d say that it’s a must that all active people should include a regular yoga class into their exercise regime.

But if you aren’t quite convinced, there are plenty more pros of yoga that we’re about to cover!

#2 Increases Your Strength

A lot of people make the huge mistake of thinking that yoga is easy and that it’s more a method of relaxation than it is a workout.

If there’s one thing we know for sure, it’s that those people have never attended a yoga class in their life.

Yes the pros of yoga do include some benefits associated with mindset and mental wellbeing (all of which are covered a little later on) but that doesn’t take away from the fact that yoga can make you strong!

One of the best things about yoga is that even the ‘easy’ poses get the muscles in your upper and lower body working, helping you to improve your overall strength.

The more you practice yoga and incorporate it as part of a regular exercise routine, the stronger your body will become.

When paired with the pros for improved flexibility, you can probably see why practicing yoga is the perfect way to balance strength and flexibility in a way that you just don’t get with weight-training alone.

#3 Improves Your Posture

Another one of the pros of yoga is that regular yoga practice can correct and improve bad posture.

Poor posture is something that is really prevalent in today’s society, especially because so many of us spend hours on end hunched over a desk and typing at a computer.

Posture isn’t just about the way your body looks, poor posture is related to tons of problems like headaches, decreased energy levels, as well as worsened circulation and digestion.

Not to mention, significant aches and pains!

Prolonged sitting, paired with a lack of exercise, can cause the shoulders to round over, and result in significant pain in the lower back and at the neck.

Small habits like sitting with your legs or ankles crossed might seem harmless, but even this can cause hip misalignment which can then lead to more serious pains and problems in the future.

Fortunately, attending a few yoga classes fairly regularly can help to correct poor posture and ultimately reduce these aches and pains.

You might even find a yoga instructor who is qualified to perform a postural assessment, who will be able to identify exactly what aspects of your posture require correction.

Even so, the practice of yoga in general focuses on proper alignment which strengthens the muscles that are weakened when you slouch. This improves your posture and enables your body to function exactly as it should!

This is another way that practicing yoga can help to improve your performance in other activities like running and cycling, and prevent your muscles and joints from exercise-related injuries.

Want to know more about how your lifestyle is having a negative effect on your posture? Check out our office fitness blog post for more information and some easy solutions!

#4 Pros and Cons Of Yoga: Mindfulness

One of the pros of yoga outside of its physical benefits, is that practicing yoga promotes mindfulness.

During yoga, you are encouraged to bring your focus to the present, paying attention to your breathing and slowing down your thought process.

The mindfulness aspect of yoga brings harmony between the mind and body which allows you to access a true state of relaxation and encourages a much healthier mental state.

The breathing and stretching exercises paired with the perfect ambience made up of calming music, dim lighting, and a controlled temperature, all make the perfect environment to truly relax and quieten your mind.

Interested in pursing a career related to yoga? Here’s the OriGym guide to becoming a yoga instructor in the UK.

#5 Relieves Stress

One of the main reasons that a lot of people want to try yoga is that they’ve heard of the yoga pros for stress relief.

It’s a pretty well known fact that yoga can play a huge role in relieving stress, and this is partly because focusing on controlled breathing is a brilliant way to relax both your body and your mind.

Just look at this quote taken from a research study by Woodyard (2011):

“The practice of yoga produces a physiological state opposite to that of the flight-or-fight stress response and with that interruption in the stress response, a sense of balance and union between the mind and body can be achieved.”

Our mind, body, and breathing are all greatly affected by stress, so it’s not really surprising that a practice that helps to relax the mind and body, and encourages us to focus on our breathing, has such significant benefits when it comes to helping with stress.

There are tons of academic studies to support these claims, with scientific research from Katuri et al. (2016) even finding an association between practicing yoga and reduced levels of cortisol (often referred to as the ‘stress hormone’).

Not only do the pros of yoga for stress apply as a solution for stress, practising yoga as part of your routine can also help you to stop getting as stressed out in general, which allows you to handle stress in a more calm and collected way.

Any well-practiced Yogi will tell you that taking the time to do a regular yoga workout even when you aren’t feeling stressed can really help you to keep your cool when those stressful situations do arise.

#6 Tones Your Body

Thanks to the pros of yoga for working the muscles and building overall strength, adding the occasional yoga workout into your exercise routine will pay off by getting you well on your way to a toned physique.

That’s because as well as building your body strength, performing yoga poses also burns body fat, which is essential if you want to achieve the chiseled 6 pack you’ve always desired.

This especially true of bikram yoga, so make sure you stick around for the hot yoga pros and cons a little further on.

We’d be lying if we said that yoga alone would shred enough body fat to build that toned physique.

One of the few disadvantages of yoga is that getting fit this way would take a little longer than strength-training. But, if you were to take that approach, you’d miss out on all of the other pros in this list!

What we’re trying to say is that alongside a well-balanced diet, yoga is definitely a healthy way to work toward your exercise goals.

Do you struggle with eating well as part of your exercise regime? Don’t worry! Next on our list of the pros and cons of yoga, we’ve explained exactly why practicing yoga is the best way to take a balanced approach to a healthier lifestyle.

Serious about toning up? Find everything you need to know about vegan weight-training here.

#7 Encourages Healthy Eating

A lot of Yogi’s will tell you that once they started practicing yoga, they became much more conscious about what they were eating and made a natural transition towards a healthier relationship with food.

Yoga lovers often report less binge eating and reduced ‘emotional eating’, a claim that is backed up by studies on the association between yoga and mindful eating.

Studies have shown that those who regularly practice yoga often transition towards a mindful eating approach, which involves eating to be healthy and encourages you to present whilst you eat.

According to this 2009 study, the practice of mindful eating goes hand in hand with the pros of yoga for mindfulness that we covered earlier on.

The same study explained that those who regularly practice yoga had a lower BMI (body-mass index) than individuals who did not, and it explained that pairing yoga practice and mindful eating could make a standard weight-loss programme more effective.

Seeing as the science shows that practicing yoga helps you to take a healthier approach to food, it’s clear that yoga really can help you to improve your diet.

Not only will this help you to achieve any aesthetic goals and help you to get toned up, we all know that eating well has an endless number of other health benefits outside of looking good.

Are you interested in all things health and nutrition? After we’ve covered all of the pros and cons of yoga, why not look into how to become a qualified nutrition coach.

#8 Helps With Heart Health

Thanks to a number of the yoga pros that we’ve already mentioned, one thing to know about yoga is that it can actually help to keep your heart healthy!

This is mainly because of the way that practicing yoga can relieve stress and reduce the levels of cortisol in a person’s body.

We all know that stress is bad for the heart, so this fact shouldn’t be all that surprising.

What we do want to talk about is that by controlling stress and preventing excessive cortisol levels, practicing yoga can prevent high blood pressure – which as we all know can end up causing a number of heart problems.

Not only that, regularly getting your heart rate up with an aerobic yoga class promotes heart health by lowering the resting heart rate, improving cardiovascular endurance, and basically making you happier and healthier in general.

This can also help to relieve any signs and symptoms of depression and anxiety, which leads us on to the next item of our yoga pros and cons list.

#9 Yoga Pros For Emotional Wellbeing

One of the pros of yoga is that it puts you in a state of mindfulness and meditation that is unparalleled by another kind of exercise.

Exercise in general can help ease experiences of both anxiety and depression by producing mood boosting endorphins, but the state of mindfulness promoted by yoga can make that impact even more significant.

Specifically, practicing yoga is believed to help to stabilise emotions.

Yoga is also known to help individuals to build their sense of self in a positive light, which in turn can increase a person’s self-esteem, improving their overall emotional wellbeing.

These emotional therapeutic benefits all contribute to the widely accepted belief that practicing yoga regularly improves a person’s overall quality of life.

Read about ‘what makes a good yoga teacher‘ to learn more about what to look for in an instructor!

#10 Reduces Chronic Pain

Remember at the start of our yoga pros and cons list when we talked about flexibility and building strength? Well, there’s evidence that the benefit of yoga for improving your strength flexibility can help to reduce chronic pain.

Yogi’s will tell you that the more you practice yoga, the more you’ll notice any aches and pains start to disappear.

Tons of regulars at yoga classes will tell you first hand that gentle yoga practice can help to decrease chronic pain especially back or knee pain.

Alongside a professional physical therapy programme, practicing yoga can really help to reduce chronic pain and strengthen the muscles in the area causing you issues.

This could also be down to the fact that practicing yoga helps correct poor posture, and therefore allows the body to function as it should, removing any unnecessary stress on joints.

But don’t just take our word for it, here are some findings from a Harvard University study:

“Yoga can help people with arthritis, fibromyalgia, migraine, low back pain, and many other types of chronic pain conditions.”

“The study found that among 313 people with chronic low back pain, a weekly yoga class increased mobility more than standard medical care for the condition.”

#11 Improves Balance

This is arguably one of the most well known pros of yoga, but we still thought that it deserved a place on our list.

If you’re looking to benefit your balance through the practice of yoga, then doing a quick yoga workout everyday can really make a huge difference.

Improved balance has transferable benefits for other sports and activities where good coordination and balance are required, but probably the most important benefit of improved balance is for the elderly.

For the elderly, balance can be a pretty big problem. Improved balance means better stability and less falls which can lead to prolonged independence and reduced injuries from slips, trips, and falls.

Need more help mastering the more difficult yoga poses? Check out our guide to best yoga blocks.

#12 Improves Sleep Quality

Another brilliant thing about yoga is that it can improve the quality of your sleep.

Regular yoga workouts can help you fall asleep faster, sleep for longer, and get better quality of sleep – all of which leave you feeling well-rested and can really boost your overall mood.

For a lot of people, taking the time to step away from an otherwise hectic life to practice yoga has huge payoffs.

By improving the quality of your sleep, yoga ensures that you get the downtime that your body so desperately needs.

A lack of sleep is something that is associated with a range of different physical diseases, as well as depression, and chronic stress, so it’s no wonder that more and more people are becoming interested in how yoga can benefit their sleeping habits.

#13 All Ages & Abilities Can Get Involved

One final thing that we love about yoga is that it’s suitable for all ages and abilities.

Literally anybody can do yoga, as it’s relatively low impact and there are always beginner classes on offer to ease yourself in.

As we mentioned above, one of the pros of yoga is that it can help to improve balance, which is a real benefit for older people.

In children and younger people, studies have found significant positive relationships between children’s practice of yoga and improved mental health, ability to cope with dress, and overall mood.

Not to mention all of the other pros of yoga that we’ve covered in this list!

Want to know more about the pros and cons of yoga for children? You can find the full study here.

—–

When you’re finished with this article, why don’t you give these ones a read?

• Do You Need A License To Teach Yoga?
• What Is Included In A Yoga Teacher Description
• Become A Prenatal Yoga Teacher

Yoga Disadvantages

As much as we love yoga, our yoga pros and cons list wouldn’t be complete without covering the cons.

So before we get to some specifics about the pros and cons of bikram yoga (also known as hot yoga) here are some things to consider.

#1 Yoga Can Be Expensive

One thing to know about yoga is that it isn’t the most affordable hobby.

Going to a class at a yoga studio can cost you anywhere in the region of £8 – £10, whilst a private 1-1 session with a qualified yoga instructor will set you back even more.

If you’re on a budget, you might find that some big chain gyms offer free yoga classes with a relatively cheap monthly membership.

Or, you could get around this cost by finding an online yoga teacher or trying out some free workouts on the likes of YouTube.

#2 Yoga Pros And Cons: Injury Risk

Yoga is a relatively low risk form of exercise, but with all kinds of exercise and activities, there is always still a slight risk of injury.

For yoga, that risk is significantly lower than the likes of crossfit (any other exercise we’ve got a blog on*), it would be irresponsible of us to say that there is no risk of injury from practicing yoga.

If you’re thinking of starting up yoga for the pros of helping chronic pain or correcting posture as somebody with an existing problem or injury, you should always have a chat with your doctor or physiotherapist before taking up any kind of exercise.

#3 Going To A Class Can Be Scary

One of the disadvantages of yoga is that going to a yoga class for the time can be pretty daunting.

If you feel a little anxious about starting yoga, then you aren’t alone. Nobody likes to be the new person, in fact we’d go as far as to say that going to the class in the first place will be the hardest part of your first yoga experience.

Once you get comfortable with the class, we’re confident that you will forget all about this small con of yoga and you’ll absolutely love the experience.

If you are a little anxious about going to a class, there are other ways to practice yoga.

There are tons of brilliant yoga workouts available online if you’d prefer to practice yoga in the comfort of your own home.

Hot Yoga Pros And Cons

Now that we’ve explained all the best things about yoga and a couple of things to consider before you get started, we thought we’d finish by talking a little bit about the pros and cons of hot yoga.

So, What Is Hot Yoga?

Hot yoga is exactly what the name suggests, it’s yoga practiced in a heated room.

The temperature is determined by the yoga instructor, but it’s normally anywhere between 27°C and 38°C.

Hot yoga classes vary between different studios and teachers in terms of temperature, and the poses that you’ll do, which is why hot yoga and bikram yoga aren’t the same thing.

Bikram yoga is a specific type of hot yoga, in the same way that ‘spin’ is a branded type of indoor cycling class.

During Bikram yoga, there are 26 poses and 2 breathing exercises which are performed in the same order for every class.

Bikram classes are always taught in a room heated to exactly 41°C with 40% humidity.

Regardless of whether you’re wanting to try hot yoga or Bikram yoga, both have some very similar pros and cons – here they are!

Pros And Cons Of Hot Yoga: The Pros!

Hot yoga has all of the same pros of yoga in general, along with a few added extras.

Want to know all the best things about Bikram yoga and hot yoga in general? Here they are!

#1 More Intense Workout

Probably the main reason that people try heated yoga is that it cranks up the intensity compared to a normal yoga class.

The heat gets your heart, lungs, and muscles working harder which gives you a more intense workout and boosts the pros of yoga for your physical fitness in general.

#2 Burns More Calories

Another popular reason for opting for heated (or Bikram) yoga is that it burns a ton more calories than regular yoga workouts.

Simply put, this is because the workout is more challenging. Every pose, stretch, and breath is more difficult when the temperature is up.

If you were to do the same class and put in the exact same amount of effort in a heated study as you would in a regular yoga class, you could expect to burn significantly more calories doing hot yoga.

The more calories you burn, the better results you’ll see in terms of weight loss.

#3 Increased Flexibility

One final thing to say about hot yoga is that it can increase your flexibility, even more so than regular yoga!

We know that we talked about increased flexibility when we covered the pros and cons of yoga in general, but one thing to know about hot yoga is that the heat helps your muscles to loosen up during the class.

When you practice hot yoga, it takes a lot less time to warm up your body which means that you are more flexible from the get go.

This makes it easier to hold more difficult poses and it makes holding those poses more effective.

Hot Yoga Disadvantages

With the additional pros that come with yoga, come a few more disadvantages.

If you’re still keen on trying hot yoga after reading all of the pros and cons, make sure you take a full bottle of water and always leave the class if you’re feeling too uncomfortable.

#1 You Can Overstretch

Although increased flexibility can be a benefit of Bikram yoga, this isn’t entirely a good thing.

The problem is that because the heat loosens your muscles, there is a risk that you can actually overstretch.

Even the most flexible of people are at risk of injuring a tendon or ligament that wouldn’t normally be as flexible if it weren’t for the heat.

Overextending and pulling a muscle is a lot more common in hot yoga compared to regular classes.

#2 Dehydration

One of the main causes for concern about hot yoga is the potential for dehydration.

There’s no debating that practicing hot yoga is uncomfortable, but whilst turning up the temperature can help you burn more calories, it can also cause dehydration and even heat exhaustion or heat stroke.

This could leave you feeling dizzy and even a little bit sick, which isn’t pleasant to say the least.

Dehydration and heat exhaustion  is especially something to worry about if you have an existing illness that the excessive heat could make worse, for example, any kind of cardiovascular disease like high blood pressure.

#3 It’s Not For Everyone

Leading on from our point about avoiding hot yoga if you have a condition like high blood pressure, the final disadvantage of hot yoga is that unlike regular yoga, it isn’t suitable for all ages and abilities.

Especially, this is significant to the Bikram yoga pros and cons, as Bikram yoga is known for being pretty warm and for a lot of people, unbearable.

There are a number of groups of people who should avoid hot yoga, including pregnant women, children, and people with preexisting health problems.

Whilst yoga is normally an accessible form of exercise for any ability of fitness level, we can’t say the same for hot yoga.

If you’re not used to intense workouts or you haven’t tested out your flexibility with a regular yoga class, Bikram yoga definitely isn’t the best place to start.

Before You Go!

Now that we’ve covered all of the pros and cons of yoga, we hope that you have a better idea of whether practicing yoga is for you.

Whilst you’re here, why not enquire about our Level 3 Diploma In Yoga and take your career in an exciting new direction.

Or, check out our online course prospectus here for information and all of the other courses we offer!