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It's Getting Hot in Here...So Hot

Why do we practice yoga in a heated room?
Believe it or not, the benefits of practicing yoga in a heated room extend far beyond getting sweaty with a bunch of other half-naked yogis.  By practicing yoga in a heated room where the temperature is more reflective of your own body’s temperature, the benefits of the postures and the postures themselves are accessed in a safe and effective manner.

It just makes sense.  Consider how your body feels when you are on the colder side of things. Maybe a little tighter?  More restricted? More rigid? When I am cold, I tend to clench my fists, bring my arms tight alongside my torso and almost round over, trying to squeeze everything closer together in an attempt to generate heat.  This makes my muscles feel very tight and constricted.  Now imagine how your body feels when it is warmer.  Perhaps a little more supple?  More relaxed and spacious? More fluid and open?  This heat allows the muscles to release tension and invites us to enter the postures more deeply with greater ease and openness.

With the heat, the muscles and connective tissues become more elastic.  This increased elasticity creates greater range of movement and allows your body the opportunity to stretch more easily. Perhaps more important is the fact that this more fluid-like stretch can actually prevent injuries such as pulled muscles.

Another very significant benefit to practicing in a heated room is the release of toxins that occurs through sweating.  The generation of heat from within the body promotes detoxification through the skin, which is the body’s largest eliminating organ.   This helps to cleanse both the body and the mind.

It is important to prepare yourself, though, before moving through a vigorous and heated vinyasa practice.  Be sure to drink plenty of water, both before and after class.  Coconut water, which has been named “nature’s Gatorade,” is another really wonderful way to rehydrate and replenish your body’s fluids after sweating.  It is so important to stay hydrated.  But, try not to eat within two-three hours of practicing.  If you do need to nourish yourself, consider a light snack like juice, soymilk or a handful of nuts at least 30 minutes before class.  Because the likelihood of sweating is really high, bring a towel to place at the front and back of your mat to help prevent slipping.

Much Love,

Jennifer

May 4th, 2010 | Tags: , , | Category: What's up Dog? An ‘advice’ column of sorts

110 comments to It’s Getting Hot in Here…So Hot…

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