What is hot yoga? 5 benefits of sweating it out

According to a new search heated yoga sessions reduce depressive symptoms more than those who did not in a randomised controlled clinical trial of people with moderate-to-severe depression. The research from Harvard Medical School's Massachusetts General Hospital published in the Journal of Clinical Psychiatry suggested that heated yoga could be a therapeutic option for people suffering from depression.

What is hot yoga?

Bikram yoga or hot yoga is done in a room heated to 41 degrees Celsius with 40 per cent humidity. It consists of 26 poses and 2 breathing exercises that are done every day in the same order. This session typically lasts for about 90 minutes.

What research says?

Hot yoga over eight weeks can help people reduce their depressive symptoms in more than 40 per cent of participants, as per a report in ANI. The research also highlighted that depressive symptoms were reduced even in participants who received only half of the prescribed yoga dose suggesting that heated yoga sessions just once a week could be beneficial.

Benefits of hot yoga

Improves flexibility: According to a 2013 study, after 8 weeks of practising, yoga participants had greater flexibility in their lower back, shoulders, and hamstrings than the control group.

Burn calories: It can help in burning around d 183 calories an hour (160-pound person). According to researchers at Colorado State University, the calorie burn can be as high as 460 for men and 330 for women.

Builds bone density: As per 2014 study of women who participated for over a 5-year period found that premenopausal women had increased bone density in their neck, hips and lower back.

Reduces stress: In general yoga helps in reducing stress and depression. At the same time, it improves health-related quality,  as well as their self-efficacy.

Nourishes the skin: Sweating in a warm environment improves circulation, and brings oxygen and nutrient-rich blood to skin cells.