Yoga is an ancient practice that many believe promotes a spiritual elevation. It consists of physical postures, controlled breathing, meditation, and chanting to channelize the mind. Yoga is a practice that requires participation and hard work, not just a single session.
Hot yoga is a modern version of the traditional practice. It is practiced in an area with high temperatures - up to 105 degrees Fahrenheit - and humidity levels up to 40%. An average yoga session can last anywhere from 60 to 90 minutes and is usually practiced in a room with a temperature of about 82 degrees.
Yoga purists consider hot yoga to be "lazy" because of the quick results it promotes with little practice, but studies have shown it's just as effective. It's perhaps the reason why you should consider checking out Hot Yoga of East Nashville studios. The main goal of yoga is to improve health through a series of postures designed to safely challenge muscles and stretch limits.
What is the Difference Between Yoga and Hot Yoga?
A hot yoga class is done in a room at maximum temperature, humidity, and length. The class ends with a cool-down session and a relaxation pose, with the entire session lasting about 1 hour and 15 minutes. Hot yoga typically borrows poses from traditional yoga, but each pose is held longer to bring about results. Instead of focusing on breathing and stretching, the emphasis is on building strength through deep hip joints, backflows, and postures. The practice allows participants to work out their entire bodies – not just their muscles and joints - but also their minds and souls.
In contrast to hot yoga, traditional yoga is practiced at about 82 degrees in a room with humidity of around 45%. The session usually lasts for 90 minutes and focuses on breathing and stretching. Yoga purists consider the practice to be most effective when held at least twice a week and constant improvement, rather than half-heartedly done once a week. Many yoga studios have begun to offer hot yoga to attract customers, but there are still many skeptics.
Having looked at the difference between the two types of yoga, you're probably wondering if it's something you'd want to try out. Here are some of the benefits of yoga:
Back Pain Relief
If you are suffering from back pain, yoga is one of the best ways to relieve it. It will help improve your strength and flexibility, allowing you to move more quickly and potentially reducing the need for pain medication.
Yoga works to ease back pain through a variety of different methods. First, it engages the core muscles of your body, which are responsible for supporting your spine. Forward bends are common in several yoga postures, helping to build strength in the upper back and core muscles. Backward bends can help you achieve the same effect but can also unlock tension you may otherwise not be able to release.
Improves Heart Health
There are many benefits to practicing yoga but what's really exciting is that yoga has been shown to reduce the risk of heart-related issues like high blood pressure and irregular heartbeat. In a study done by the University of Pennsylvania, researchers asked 80 adults to practice yoga for 12 weeks.
They found that participants who practiced yoga experienced reduced anxiety and blood pressure and had a more remarkable ability to manage stress. The team also looked at 112 adults with high blood pressure. They found that yoga helped reduce blood pressure and decreased the level of harmful cholesterol.
Helps With Chronic Pain
If you suffer from chronic pain, you know it can be debilitating. Yoga, however, is not only a great way to work out stress; it can also help relieve chronic pains. Yoga is a practice that involves a combination of physical postures, meditation, and breathing exercises. The ultimate goal is to be aware of your bodily functions and keep the body healthy.
Yoga has been proven to reduce anxiety and stress (one of the biggest chronic pain triggers). It brings awareness of the body. Studies show that yoga can help decrease headaches and lower blood pressure, a known precursor for many diseases like stroke or heart attack.
Many patients who have undergone spinal surgery can also benefit from yoga. By bringing awareness to the spine, it can help improve posture and reduce back pain. It is a great way to stay away from pain pills after an operation and an excellent way to find relief before you enter the operation room.
