HOT TOPIC

Hot yoga has been around for some time, but how much do we really know about it? And why practise yoga in a heated room in the first place?

When most people think about hot yoga, they immediately think of Bikram Yoga – the 26 static postures and two breathing exercises brought to the West by a man who quickly fell from his celebrity-built pedestal after repeated sexual abuse allegations (we’ve all seen the Netflix documentary). Although this healing practice and style of yoga continues (rightfully redubbed Hot 26), there are other styles and ancient rituals that use heat to cultivate healing and transformative environments. HISTORY OF HOT YOGA The physical practice of yoga, or asana (there are many limbs to yoga apart from just the physical aspect), can be traced back to its roots in the Northern reaches of India. The average annual temperatures in Rishikesh range between 19˚C (in January) and 33˚C (in September), with some months reaching highs of up to 38˚C and 40˚C. Coupled with high humidity, the heat in this part of the world, regardless of the time of day or style of yoga, is naturally going to create a fair amount of perspiration. Therefore, the logical progression for yoga studios around the world is to heat their studios to stimulate this type of environment.

By Bern Le Roux

From Ayurvedic steam baths to Finnish sauna rooms, Mayan temescal and North American sweat lodge ceremonies, sweating for health has long been used in many cultures around the globe.

When it comes to using heat in yoga, there seems to be a lack of ancient or traditional knowledge. The closest historical link has been made to panchagni tapas - an ancient ritual in which heat is used to test resolve and increase willpower in participants. This original form of ‘hot yoga’ was an ascetic practice, and an example of a common ritual in India known as asagni hotra, or fire sacrifice - hotly debated (excuse the pun) and often frowned upon today in India.

This disconnect from tradition may be viewed as a bastardisation of yoga. However, what if removing these boundaries makes yoga more accessible, more far-reaching, and able to help more people around the world, both mentally and physically? This disconnect also does not mean that there are no benefits to hot yoga.

BENEFITS OF HOT YOGA Increased circulation and increased flow of lymph fluid through the body are the obvious benefits, but more recently there’s been ongoing scientific research on dermcidin, a natural antibiotic released when you sweat, as a treatment of superbugs. According to Yoga International, dermcidin is “most

effective when sweat does not evaporate quickly and is allowed to pool on the surface of the skin”. This bodes well for the high humidity factor in hot yoga studios.

“Hot yoga is extremely good for the brain,” says Chantal Cohen, instructor and lead facilitator of teacher trainings at YogaLife. “Sweat from exercise is a great brain optimiser – it releases factors in the brain that promote new cells and new cell connections being formed. This substantially enhances memory formation and learning.”

Making further crossroads is biomedical researcher Dr Rhonda Patrick’s work on hyperthermic conditioning, which suggests that exercising in heat leads to enhanced muscle growth and healing. Dr Patrick claims that it is this acclimatisation to heat during exercise that leads to a ‘runner’s high’. Anyone who practises hot yoga, whether it be power yoga (flow-style yoga in a hot room), Hot26 or Sculpt (cardio with weights in a heated room) will attest to that unmistakable buzz after a hot and sweaty yoga class.

Moreover, regular practitioners of hot yoga cite benefits such as glowing skin, better sleep and an improved sense of general wellbeing. In short, it’s a practice that speaks for itself.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR Bern Le Roux has been practising hot yoga since the first hot yoga studio opened in Cape Town almost 20 years ago. She left her career in magazines and food writing to follow her passion for yoga after completing her 200-hr Yoga Alliance certification with Chantal Cohen at YogaLife. Recently, she partnered with YogaLife owner Cle Latouf to open YogaLife Noordhoek at the Noordhoek Farm Village.

YOGALIFE STUDIOS

YogaLife recently opened the first hot yoga studio in the South Peninsula in the neighbourhood hub of Noordhoek Farm Village. Many are familiar with their flagship studio in De Waterkant Village in the heart of Cape Town, and the signature style of yoga on offer there – accessible, vibrant, fun and challenging classes, where students can attune to a peaceful, happy place inside and outside of themselves in a safe space.

Styles of Yoga on Offer:

• Power

An invigorating class in a heated room (36˚C) with a strong focus on connecting breath with movement, designed to build flexibility, stamina, core stability and full body strength

• Vinyasa

An unheated class that offers creative and unique sequencing to remain tuned-in to the present moment by connecting to the breath

• Sculpt

Combines free weights and high intensity training in a heated room (32˚C) and incorporates cardio to intensify each pose while mixing in strength training moves like squats, lunges and bicep curls

• Hot 26

A 60-minute Bikram series of 26 postures and two breathing exercises in a heated room

• Free Beginners

A free class in an unheated room that is designed to create a safe foundation for any yoga practice and set students up for success

For more information or to get in touch, visit www.yogalife.co.za, or follow @theyogalife and @yogalifenoordhoek on Instagram.

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