For many, summer is a timeless and nostalgic word that brings delight, adventure and excitement. Summer is a time when we also, however, tend to relax our routines. But don’t give up your yoga practice just yet! There are many reasons why you want to continue or even start your hot yoga practice in the summer. Below are seven.
1. Keeps your body healthy during the summer
With school out, vacations on the horizon and an excessive number of barbecues, ice cream cones and summer treats, sticking to your routine is more important than ever. If you stick to your workout, you’re more likely to stick to a well-balanced diet. And if you do splurge, you won’t feel as guilty about it because you got your workout in 😊
2. Encourages you to drink more water
When the temperature rises, so should your water intake. The rule of thumb is to drink 8-10 glasses of water a day, or 12-15 glasses in the summer months. Drinking water helps replenish fluids lost through excessive sweating and prevents dehydration. If you stay hydrated during your yoga practice, you’re likely to continue the habit outside the studio.
3. Acclimatizes your body to the warmer weather
Practicing hot yoga in the summer helps our bodies adapt to sweating and to temperature extremes. Over time, you’ll notice your reaction to the heat outside soften, and you’ll become less sensitive to temperature fluctuations.
4. Calms the mind
With today’s hectic schedules, it’s no wonder we feel stressed out all the time. Yoga leaves you feeling calm and positive. It gives you a sense of being able to cope with whatever life throws at you.
5. Allows for deeper breathing and relaxation
In hot yoga, it is common to practice ujjayi breathing, also known as the “breath of victory.” Some joke that it’s the Darth Vadar breath. Ujjayi breathing offers immense benefits such as:
• releasing tension from the body
• promoting mental clarity and focus
• fostering a profound sense of calm and relaxation in the mind and body
Yoga breathing exercises work in a similar way to meditation. They help calm and clear your mind, bringing a feeling of relaxation to your entire body.
6. Gives you quality time with yourself
You likely give your time to others before yourself, whether it’s children, aging parents or responsibilities at work. Having mobile devices makes it easier than ever to become distracted. That is why taking one hour for yourself each day is important. The better care you take of yourself, the better off others around you will be.
7. Keeps you fit for all those outdoor activities
In yoga, the different postures coordinate the breath with the movements. By holding the postures, the various muscles of the body stretch and strengthen. These postures are an ideal complement to other forms of exercise such as jogging, running, swimming or cycling. Yoga also enhances the flexibility of the muscles and joints. This means you’ll be less prone to injuries.
Contact our studio to speak with one of our yoga advisors and find out which class is for you.
If you’re already convinced, and want to get started right away, sign up for our intro month special.