Heated Versus Non-Heated Yoga

Hot Yoga | The Benefits of Hot Yoga | True Hot Yoga North Scottsdale | True Hot Yoga Arrowhead Ranch

The Difference Between Heated and Non-Heated Yoga

If you’re a regular at True Hot Yoga, you probably love the refreshing feeling of walking out of a 75-minute heated yoga class. You probably feel like your body just had a great detox. You’re rejuvenated and ready to take on the day. If you are low on electrolytes or dehydrated, you probably do not feel as chipper, but that is beside the point. 

What we are getting at, is that at the end of a hot yoga class, you are drenched in sweat. This aids in the sense of accomplishment you will feel after completing a yoga class in a 105-degree room. You feel like you have detoxed your body and you feel like you have burned a lot of calories. 

This begs the question: does non-heated yoga reap the same benefits as heated?

Let’s find out!

The Benefits of Hot Yoga

All types of yoga offer different benefits. All types of yoga will aid in flexibility and mind/body connection.

Hot yoga, however, has so many incredible and science-backed benefits. Students leave hot yoga class feeling great for the rest of the day or feeling great about the changes that hot yoga has made to their bodies. 

Let’s take a look at the research!

Hot yoga is not all about calories burned or physical appearance, we make that clear when you attend a class at True Hot Yoga. We are going to dive into this a little bit.

Research shows that hot yoga does burn more calories than classic, non-heated yoga. With that being said, it is not as many calories as you may think. A study of Bikram practitioners showed that men burned roughly 460 calories and women about 330 calories per 90-minute session. This is equivalent to about as much as someone would burn by going for a 90-minute walk.

Research shows that this is still roughly 50% more calories than what one might burn in a non-heated class. Some non-heated classes will be more vigorous than a very slow-paced heated class, therefore burning more calories. It really depends on the class that you take and what your preferences are. 

In addition to calorie burn, practicing yoga helps muscles and joints heat up, increasing flexibility and overall stretch. 

Hot yoga also aids in the process of detoxification (yes, our bodies need help with this). It has been proven to aid in healing depression and other mental health conditions. 

Are There Risks of Practicing Hot Yoga?

The same as any exercise, there can be risks when it comes to practicing hot yoga. 

To start, we always recommend consulting with a doctor before joining a hot yoga class if you have any cardiovascular problems, low blood pressure, or other factors that could be cause for concern.

With that in mind, hot yoga can also pose a risk when it comes to overextending muscles and ligaments. Because the room is heated, therefore heating your muscles, it can give you the illusion that you are more flexible than you actually are. This can cause you to pull or overextend your muscles. We like to take things very slowly, controlled, and steadily so as to avoid this happening to you during a True Hot Yoga class. 

Hot yoga can also increase your risk of dehydration which is why it’s so important to not only be fueling up on water but also electrolytes. 

Always listen to your body. If your body is telling you to stop, we encourage you to step out of the room for a breather or simply lay down on your mat until you feel comfortable to get started again. 

The Bottom Line

The bottom line is that both heated and non-heated yoga are packed full of positive benefits. Hot yoga has a few almost amplified benefits like additional calorie burn, it can aid in remission for depression, as well as aid in detoxing. What is most important is that you find a yoga class that works for you, your body, and your schedule. 

How to Get Started with Hot Yoga

We have locations in both North Scottsdale and Arrowhead Ranch, and you can book with us on our website at www.truehotyoga.com or on our True Hot Yoga app.

If you are interested in trying a True Hot Yoga class, we offer a 3-for $33 special for new students! Book with us at www.truehotyoga.com or download our app.