Is hot yoga good for you?

Hot yoga can offer several benefits, although it's not primarily about muscle building or fat burning. Instead, it focuses on improving heat tolerance and flexibility. Training in a hot environment, like hot yoga, can enhance your ability to handle heat, which could be beneficial for people who work outdoors or engage in activities that involve wearing heavy gear or clothes in hot conditions. It also makes you more present and aware of your body's exertion during the exercise, which can be a form of mindfulness practice 1.

The flexibility benefits of hot yoga come from the increased range of motion facilitated by the heat, which relaxes and calms the central nervous system 2. However, it's crucial to be cautious if you're already very flexible, as the increased range of motion might lead to injuries if not controlled properly 3.

Furthermore, hot yoga can be compared to other practices like traditional sauna use, which promotes overall blood circulation and cardiovascular health. Regular practice in a sauna-like environment can potentially reduce the risk of cardiovascular diseases and improve overall resilience to illnesses 4.

Overall, hot yoga can be a beneficial addition to a fitness routine, particularly for enhancing flexibility, heat tolerance, and mindfulness, but it should complement other strength and resistance training exercises for a well-rounded workout regimen.