What is hot yoga?

Answer From Edward R. Laskowski, M.D.

Hot yoga is a vigorous form of yoga performed in a very warm and humid studio. There are many different types of hot yoga classes. During the Bikram form of hot yoga, the room is heated to approximately 105 F (40 C) and has a humidity of 40 percent.

Bikram yoga is a 90-minute program that consists of a series of different standing and stretching postures. The postures require lengthy, forceful and sustained contractions of all major muscle groups. The demanding nature of the poses and the heat are designed to raise your heart rate and exercise your muscles.

Researchers continue to study the pros and cons of hot yoga, including its effects on body fat and heart health.

Hot yoga is not for everyone. The intensity of the workout and the hot temperatures have the potential to cause heat-related illness. Be sure you check with your doctor before trying hot yoga, especially if you have any health concerns or if you are pregnant.

It's probably best to skip hot yoga if you have:

  • Heart disease
  • Problems with dehydration
  • Heat intolerance
  • A history of a heat-related illness (such as heatstroke)

If you have no health concerns and you want to try a hot yoga class, be sure to drink plenty of water before, during and after your workout. Stop if you feel dizzy, lightheaded or sick in any way.

From Mayo Clinic to your inbox

Sign up for free, and stay up to date on research advancements, health tips and current health topics, like COVID-19, plus expertise on managing health.

To provide you with the most relevant and helpful information, and understand which information is beneficial, we may combine your email and website usage information with other information we have about you. If you are a Mayo Clinic patient, this could include protected health information. If we combine this information with your protected health information, we will treat all of that information as protected health information and will only use or disclose that information as set forth in our notice of privacy practices. You may opt-out of email communications at any time by clicking on the unsubscribe link in the e-mail.

Sept. 15, 2020 See more Expert Answers

See also

  1. A Very Happy Brain
  2. Acupuncture for back pain?
  3. Alternative cancer treatments: 11 options to consider
  4. Aromatherapy: Is it worthwhile?
  5. Candida cleanse diet
  6. CBD safety
  7. Chronic fatigue: Can a natural remedy boost my energy?
  8. Colloidal silver supplements
  9. Colon cleansing
  10. Considering complementary therapy
  11. Detox foot pads
  12. Diabetes treatment: Can cinnamon lower blood sugar?
  13. Do infrared saunas have any health benefits?
  14. Prickly pear cactus
  15. Ear candling
  16. Ginkgo biloba: Can it prevent memory loss?
  17. Herbal supplements: Not risk-free
  18. Herbal supplements: Safety first
  19. Herbal supplements and heart drugs
  20. Huperzine A: Can it treat Alzheimer's?
  21. Kombucha tea
  22. Kratom: Unsafe and ineffective
  23. Kratom and pregnancy: Not a safe mix
  24. Kratom for opioid withdrawal
  25. Learn to reduce stress through mindful living
  26. Massage
  27. Medical marijuana
  28. Meditation 2.0: A new way to meditate
  29. Mindfulness exercises
  30. Miracle cure or marketing scam?
  31. Natural aphrodisiacs
  32. Natural remedies for depression: Are they effective?
  33. Oil of oregano: Can it treat sinusitis?
  34. Pet therapy
  35. Tai chi
  36. Tai Chi and Cardiac Rehab
  37. Valerian: A safe and effective herbal sleep aid?
  38. Tai chi
  39. Vitamin B-12 and Alzheimer's
  40. Alternative psoriasis treatments
  41. What is reflexology?
  42. Yucca: Can it relieve arthritis pain?
  43. Do zinc supplements shorten colds?