Yoga is an ideal physical practice for those who don’t want to work out in a gym. Practicing specific poses in a sequence can help you achieve your goal while not feeling drained. Hot yoga and traditional yoga are the two main options you can choose from. Both can be practiced with the same poses, but certain aspects differentiate the two.
What is Hot Yoga?
You must be wondering what is hot yoga? It is a not-so-new yoga practice, but a variant of traditional yoga in which poses are practiced in a heated room. The temperature is maintained between 35 and 40 degrees Celsius, along with a humidity level of up to 40 percent. The heated atmosphere leads to sweating, which then loosens the muscles and supports an intense workout.
Hot yoga was first introduced in 1970, and since then, it has gained significant popularity.
Pros and Cons of Hot Yoga
Hot yoga is highly recommended for young adults and middle-aged people due to its vast range of benefits. It relaxes and stretches the muscles. It also offers numerous other physical and mental health benefits.
Here are the major pros of regular hot yoga practice:
· Improves flexibility
· Enhances detoxification
· Supports weight loss
· Reduces stress
· Improves mental clarity
Like any other practice, hot yoga is not free of potential risks. You must check its suitability for your health as well as fitness goals. Practicing this type of yoga without prior research or investigation can expose you to the following cons:
· Risk of dehydration
· Risk of overstretching
· Not suitable for everyone
What is Traditional Yoga?
Traditional yoga has been around for more than a thousand years now. It can be practiced both indoors and outdoors in normal temperatures. It does not require a specific room or temperature setting. You can pick poses from a vast range of options and practice the ones that align with your specific goals.
Pros and Cons of Traditional Yoga
Traditional yoga is a less intense version of hot yoga, in which you can choose poses according to your ease. You can shape the workout from less intense poses to the highly intense ones. It will gradually warm you up and increase body temperature. Such a pacing will set you up to achieve the following benefits through your yoga practice:
· Suitable for all fitness levels
· Promotes deeper relaxation
· Supports stress relief
· Low risk of injury
· Supports holistic wellness
Besides the pros, traditional yoga practice also has some cons. It might not actually cause any physical harm or injury to your body, but it still feels less beneficial. Here are the typical cons you need to know before committing to the practice;
· Slower physical progress
· Feels less energizing
· Limited calorie burn
Differences between Hot and Traditional Yoga
Most people confuse hot and traditional yoga to be the same. Though the two are not too different, they are also not the same. The essence of both types of yoga is different. Here are the major differences that can help you not mix the two.
1. Environment
Hot yoga is practiced in specific temperature settings. The temperature must be between 35 and 40 degrees Celsius. Maintaining a high humidity level of 40 percent is also essential. In the absence of temperature and humidity conditions, you will basically practice traditional yoga. The normal or traditional yoga can be practiced in any setting.
2. Intensity
Hot yoga practice is more demanding and intense. The high temperatures increase the cardiovascular activity and make yoga practice more challenging. On the other hand, the lack of heat ensures that traditional yoga is not intense. Still, some difficult and demanding poses can slightly boost the intensity level.
3. Flexibility
Hot yoga is generally more flexible and supports deeper stretches. The high temperatures help the body warm up instantly, which increases the range of motion. Traditional yoga boosts flexibility with proper warm-up sequences and regular practice. In short, it might take time to experience the same level of flexibility as hot yoga.
4. Focus
The focus of hot yoga is physical endurance, strength building, and detoxification. On the other hand, traditional yoga is more focused on achieving inner balance, perfect alignment, and mindfulness.
5. Safety
Hot yoga can become unsafe if you practice without caution. Overheating and dehydration can risk your well-being and can also lead to injuries. On the other hand, traditional yoga is safe unless you decide to push your limits too far and sustain injuries.
Which Yoga Style Suits You Best?
Fitness level, personal goals, and the workout intensity can help you choose between hot and traditional yoga. Both types of yoga are beneficial, but you should pick the one that aligns with your goals and wellness needs. You can practice hot yoga if you:
· enjoy high-intensity workouts
· don’t mind sweating a lot
· want to improve flexibility quickly
· want to burn more calories
And you can practice traditional yoga if you:
· prefer a calm practice with moderate-intensity
· want to build strength and flexibility gradually
· prefer stress relief, mindfulness, and holistic wellness
· want a practice you can do anywhere, without a specialized studio.
Conclusion
Hot and traditional yoga both serve different needs with their distinct benefits. Hot yoga is the right match for an energizing, sweaty session that pushes your physical limits. If you want a grounding and restorative practice with mind, body awareness, traditional yoga is the better choice.
You can also practice both, hot yoga for intense sessions and traditional yoga for recovery and mindfulness. Listen to your body, try each style if possible, and choose the one that supports your personal growth and comfort.
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