What Are Some Mental/spiritual Benefits Offered By Yoga
Yoga is well-known for its multiple mental and spiritual health benefits. It is important to note that many schools consider the mental benefits of Yoga to be its central focus. It has its roots in ancient Indian philosophical and health practices, where the body and the mind are considered to be a holistic whole, rather than two distinct aspects. Asanas require a certain focus and stillness that foster great mental calmness. You will be concentrating with great intent on your body, looking inwards into yourself. This has a fascinating calming effect.
Consistent, guided meditation and focus on breathing train your mind and body to focus on only the present moment, relieving your mind of worries and concerns.
Therefore, it reduces stress and can teach you to be calm in emergency situations. These skills can also be surprisingly useful in tackling stress-inducing factors like mental disorders, episodes of sleep paralysis, phobias, insomnia, anxiety attacks, or stressful experiences like childbirth.
Power Yoga Calories Burned
If you are looking for a more enhanced form of yoga, try Power Yoga in the form of Vinyasa or Ashtanga. Both styles of yoga use the breath to link the flow between poses, and both burn the calories to a great extent on account of continuous movement that symbolises workout of an athlete. The calories you burn in Power Yoga depends on your speed, weight, and gender.
How Many Calories Can You Burn In An Hour Of Hot Yoga Burn
Each session of hot yoga can help your burn between 400 and 600 calories per hour. Form postures to temperature, there are many variances between different types of hot yoga, so the caloric burn and benefits also vary.
One-hour yoga class of Bikram style will help you burn around 475 calories, whereas a hot vinyasa yoga class will help you burn 600 calories in a one-hour class.
There is more inconsistency in hot yoga classes that are not Bikram yoga style as these depend on what postures are done and the pace of the sessions.
Yoga Type |
Don’t Miss: How Many Calories Do You Burn In Yoga
Is Hot Yoga Safe
When practiced properly, hot yoga is a safe activity. If safety is a concern, verify that the instructor for your class is certified and be sure to inform them of any of your injuries or health conditions prior to class.
While hot yoga is generally safe it is possible to strain or pull a muscle overstretching. This is why it is very important to listen to your body during class.
Do not push yourself past a point where you feel comfortable and safe, even if you think you can go deeper.
Working out in extreme heat can also have an impact on your bodys internal temperature. In extreme cases, this can lead to dehydration or even heat stroke so be mindful of your hydration and any drastic changes in how you feel during class.
Does Hot Yoga Tone Your Body

Tones and Defines Muscles
If youre itching to tone and define your body then hot yoga can help you do just that. Various yoga poses work out your core muscles that are usually targeted for toning, like your obliques, and adding heat to the mix can help you sweat and target those muscles even more! Hot yoga = hot bod.
You May Like: Do You Burn Calories Doing Yoga
It Burns Major Calories
Any kind of movement that increases your heart rate will help burn calories and promote weight loss, says Numbers. And hot yoga is a pretty good calorie-torcher. Even though youre not running and jumping around, again, that hot room gets the heart going. One study from the journal Medicine & Science in Sports & Exercise found women burned an average of 333 calories during 90-minute slow-moving, heated yoga session. Add a fast-moving Vinyasa practice to that mix and youll really feel the, well, burn.
Does Hot Yoga Burn Calories
Any time you get your body moving, you will burn calories. So ofcourse when you move more you burn more calories. That means yoga classes thathave you moving around more provide a much better calorie burn and thus weightloss benefit.
That means you do burn calories during hot yoga. However, the addedbenefit of being in a heated room is that it speeds up your heart rate justbeing in there. The more your heart has to work the more calories you burn.
On average, women burn about 350 calories in one session of Bikramyoga, meaning it can create enough of a calorie deficit to promote weight loss.
Also Check: How To Add Yoga To Garmin Connect
Use A Calorie Counter
One way to help you to count the calories lost is to use the calorie counter. For an adult weighing 140-pounds, you will be able to lose 554 calories in a session lasting 60 minutes. It is telling that the vinyasa yoga is more intense than the comparable Ashtanga yoga where you will manage 328 calories. If you are using the calorie counter, you will have weight and the minutes spent exercising. If you weigh 175 pounds for instance and you exercise for 10 minutes, you will burn 48 calories. You can keep varying either of the two while time clicking on the calculate button to get values.
One thing that confuses people is the aspect of sweating. With Bikram yoga, you will tend to sweat more, but this will not translate to more calories lost as a result. The heart rate and the effort in the vinyasa yoga make it more intense than Bikram yoga.
There are some reasons which make the vinyasa yoga to be so efficient in burning calories.
There are a number of poses one has to follow in a sequence. They are very physically demanding and include salutations and standing up. As one carries out of these sequence flows, the heat in the body steadily builds up. However, at the center of this great yoga style are breathing techniques which one must master. As such, it is important for one to learn how to control breathing in order to maximize the calories one can lose in a session.
What Should You Eat After Hot Yoga
Before you plan your post-yoga meal, drink plenty of water ideally with electrolytes. Traditionally water should not be consumed during practice but listen to your body and adjust accordingly.
All of that sweat held water and electrolytes your body needs.
Replenish and refuel your body by slowly drinking a glass of room temperature water after class then reach for some complex carbs to refuel.
Some healthy post-yoga snack ideas are homemade sweet potato fries with hummus for added protein or fruit and nut butter.
Smoothies are also great options but be mindful of the ingredients. Adding extra sugar and dairy can turn your once healthy smoothie into a not so healthy milkshake.
Wait 30 minutes to an hour after yoga to eat a larger meal. Load your plate with fresh vegetables prepared to your liking and a few ounces of lean protein.
Recommended Reading: Can You Do Yoga After Botox
What Is A Yoga Towel And Do I Need One
While your standard bath towel will do just fine in a hot yoga class, if you choose to commit to a consistent hot yoga class, it is worthwhile to invest in a yoga towel.
As yogas influence grows in the west, so does the availability of yoga products and props. While there are many different types of yoga towels, the main qualities to look for in your towel are grip and moisture wicking.
Where your bath towel is great for drying you off during class, a yoga towel is typically two sides. The front, towel side is soft and fast drying so you can soak up any sweat that drips during your practice.
The back of the yoga towel should have a sticky backing. This helps it stay in place on your mat so you and the towel;dont slip around.
What Should I Wear To Hot Yoga
You will be moving and sweating a lot so two things to consider in your attire are comfort and material. Tops should be fitted and made from a breathable, stretchy material.
A sports bra is strongly recommended and in some studios, shirts are not required if the proper undergarments are worn.
Clothing that is too tight is difficult to move in, clothing that is too loose may get in the way. An easy way to test your outfit before class is to touch your toes.
If your shirt feels tight around your core, it may be too tight. If it falls over your head it may be too loose, making movement in poses like Adho Mukha Svanasana more challenging.
Pants or shorts should also not restrict your movement. You look great in those jeans, but best to save them for after class.
Yoga pants or shorts made from a breathable and lightweight material are recommended. Read this article to find the best yoga pants for hot weather or hot yoga.
Shoes are prohibited in the main space of most studios. There will typically be cubbies or lockers available to store them and other belongings.
While the rules on socks arent as strict, with all of the movement and sweating you dont want to wear something that may add to the slipping.
Its recommended not to wear socks so you can connect completely with your mat. If your feet get cold easily or you really want to wear socks for a different reason, consider toeless socks.
Recommended Reading: Does Hot Yoga Burn A Lot Of Calories
Yoga Calories Burned Calculator
A 60 minutes yoga class will burn between 200 600 calories, depending on your weight and type of yoga.
This yoga calories calculator allows you to quickly see how many calories you are likely to have burned during your yoga session based on average metabolic rates.Simply enter your weight, the minutes you performed yoga for and then select the yoga type.
Studies Show A 45 Mins Yoga Session Burns 180

When you hit the yoga studio, your average yoga class lasts about 45 minutes. And in those 45 minutes of your yoga session, studies and researches have proved that you can burn up to 180-460 calories. However, that again depends on a number of factors. Namely:
- The type of yoga you have chosen to perform
- The duration and the intensity of your yoga session
- And also your gender
Surveys and researches have proved that a person of 160 pounds can burn up to 183 calories in a basic yoga class; which when compared to the;amount of calories burnt through other forms of exercises, is much less.
But, we must not forget the fact that the primary health benefit of yoga is not about burning calories- it is about building a harmony between our mind, body and soul.
Whether or not one burns calories during a yoga session, again depends on a number of factors:
-
style of yoga
-
duration of the class
-
level of the class
For example, people tend to lose more calories when they perform Bikrama Yoga rather than Hatha yoga- primarily because Bikrama Yoga is a faster paced form of yoga which is performed in a hot surrounding.
Therefore, in a nutshell, we can understand the fact that the number of calories one expends doing yoga, is directly proportional to ones body weight and workout duration.
Thus, ones caloric intake must stay constant while you add to the duration of your yoga session in order to lose weight and shed calories.
Recommended Reading: What Is Vajra Yoga In Astrology
How Many Calories Does Hatha Yoga Burn
Hatha is probably the least impactful version of yoga other than restorative. Did you know that the term hatha is used for the basic practice of yoga itself? This is the bare bones idea of using postures and motions to maximize your body awareness.
As a result, Hatha yoga is great for new yoga enthusiasts. Keep in mind that the low-intensity level in this type of yoga does burn many calories. Even so, you will feel better!
Average calories burned: 170-300
Calories Burned Doing Moksha Yoga
The number of calories burned depends on your weight, build and skill level, but standing in a 100-degree room alone can burn 130 calories per hour. Add in some physical activity like yoga, and you can burn as many as 620 calories and counting.
According to the Health Status Calorie Calculator, a 140-pound person can burn up to 440 calories doing one hour of hot yoga. If you weigh 150 pounds, you can burn up to 477 calories per hour. Participate in a 90-minute Moksha yoga class and you can burn 700 calories. A person of slighter build, say 110 pounds, will burn about 350 calories per hour. Lighter people burn fewer calories because yoga uses body weight as resistance; a smaller person has less body weight to sustain and therefore burns fewer calories. Metabolisms vary, so these calorie counts are just approximations.
Read Also: What Does Sutra Mean In Yoga
/4perform Yoga To Lose Weight
Yoga is considered as a slow-paced and less strenuous form of physical activity, which helps fight off stress, improve flexibility, tone body and enhance concentration level. Apart from this, it also an excellent workout to lose weight and get fit. There different types of yoga, offering different health benefits, some are excellent for the mind, while others are great for toning the body. Vinyasa yoga or Vinyasa flow is one such form of yoga which is considered excellent to lose weight as it helps to burn tons of calories.
How Many Calories Does Bikram Yoga Burn
The amount of calories you burn during yoga will depend on several factors, including your weight, fitness level and the length and intensity of your workout. For any standard Hatha yoga practice, you can expect to burn anywhere between 120 and 178 calories for a 30-minute session, depending on your weight, according to Harvard Health Publishing.
Because Bikram yoga is taught in a heated room at 105 degrees Fahrenheit and 40 percent humidity, you will sweat a lot, but that doesn’t necessarily mean you’ll have a higher calorie burn than standard yoga.
After comparing the heart rate and core temperature of students in a regular yoga class to a Bikram yoga class, researchers of a July 2013 study sponsored by the American Council on Exercise found that the increase in heart rate among class participants was generally the same, regardless of the yoga class.
During a Hatha yoga class, a 155-pound person can expect to burn around 447 calories after a 90-minute session, per Harvard Health Publishing. Similarly, after analyzing a 90-minute Bikram yoga class, researchers of a small Colorado State University study found that male participants burned about 460 calories and female participants burned about 330 calories.
These studies suggest that you’re not burning as many calories doing Bikram as you might think. So how do you increase your calorie burn?
How to Increase Your Calorie Burn During Bikram Yoga
You May Like: Is Hotpod Yoga Good For You
The Downside Of Hot Yoga
If youre a Hot Yoga newbie, its very important to note that even if you have a high tolerance to heat and had the best results in your last medical check-up, your body will need time to adapt to work out in the hot studio. More than ever its very important to listen to what your body is saying to you during the flow and take it slow when youre starting.
It is normal to get all pumped up and sweaty and purified but if your blood pressure drops, the sensation can easily sneak up on you, and all of sudden youre dizzy and nauseated.
Be careful, explore the Hot Yoga class going slow, and even leaving the class if you dont feel right.
Another downside is that injuries can happen if you push yourself too far.;Due to the increased flexibility of the muscles and the warmer temperatures, its possible to overdo it and you will only notice it after the class.
Related:
Recommended Reading: Is Hotpod Yoga Good For You
Drink Away The Calories
The sweatiness doesnt hurt, either.
Chances are, the first time you step into a hot yoga class, youll probably sweat half your body weight onto the mat. While you cant expect to simply sweat out the excess pounds, the side effect of getting really sweaty that is, drinking a lot of water afterward can have lots of health benefits.
Drinking more water can help improve your metabolism, which means your body will burn more calories, even while you do your usual daily activities.
Hydrating more can also leave you feeling fuller for longer, helping you cut back on calorie intake, and boosting your weight loss even more.
Just be sure to keep your post-yoga hydration fix sugar-free to enjoy all the benefits!
Hot yoga sounds pretty good so far.
But this last one might surprise you.
Don’t Miss: What To Wear To Yoga Class
Calorie Count: Hatha Vinyasa And Hot Yoga
**Note: All measurements, numbers, and statistics are based on a female weighing 150 lbs.**
A couple of weeks ago, I was on my way into my local health food store to load up on a weekâs supply of Kombucha, when I spotted an eye-catching billboard for a local hot yoga studio. âEach class burns 1200 calories!” The advert said. My first thought was, âWow! Where is this place? I need to hit up this studio!” But it wasnât a few seconds after when my skepticism kicked into high gear. âThis canât be true!” I thought. Then I noticed a similar claim on my local Bikram studioâs website. âWith Bikram hot yoga, you burn up to 1250 calories in just one session,” the website claims. So I hit the books and Google to see what I could prove and what I would debunk.
I quickly found out that doing yoga in a hot and humid room does little more to help in the calorie burning process than practicing in a ânormal” environment. However, hot yoga will make you feel that you are burning more calories. And, you will likely lose water weight right away when you start regularly practicing hot yoga which might make you seem like it has been instrumental in losing actual weight. This might be why the â30 Day Bikram Challenge” has been so popular.
Total Calories: 60 Minutes |