Five Great Reasons to do Hot Yoga in the Summer!

Now that New York has finally decided to get the temperature on the same page as the calendar, and it's heating up out there, you may be skeptical about continuing your Hot Yoga practice through the summer months. It's easy to get into the hot room in the winter, when it's cold outside, and New York Yoga provides a respite from the winter chill.

But here are five reasons why you should continue working in the hot room in the summer, too, even though you are being tempted by the gods of central air conditioning!

1. Hot Yoga can help acclimate you to the season’s heat. Your body cools itself more efficiently and effectively through sweat. So when you leave the yoga room, the outside feels cooler than inside! It works the other way around also—when the hot room feels cooler than the outdoors, practicing becomes a delight!
2. Your muscles, joints and ligaments will already be nice and warm when you enter the studio, so you will likely find you’re more flexible and can go deeper into the postures during the summer. Stretching and strengthening your body with hot yoga is the best way to increase joint flexibility, core strength and spinal mobility.
3. The summer heat can leave you feeling sluggish—Yoga is a great way to fill your tank with energy by increasing your oxygen intake and balancing the various systems of the body. Hot Yoga encourages you to stay well hydrated and to replenish your electrolytes regularly. This can be a great benefit during the hot summer months.
4. Practicing Yoga will give you an advantage in any summer athletic endeavor you choose—swimming, hiking, sailing, biking, jogging, beach volleyball-ing…No matter what outdoor activity you choose, Yoga will increase your strength, stamina, balance and coordination. Not to mention, burning 800 calories or more per class will get you buff in all the right places.  You will look great and feel more comfortable and confident all summer long.
5. Activate the immune system and lower your risk for illness by detoxifying your body in a healthy air quality exercise environment. High quality air exchange helps protect the body against infection. Get re-energized. Rejuvenate your body and clear your mind by practicing in a heated environment, spend quality ‘me’ time focusing on your own health needs.