The thought of being trapped in a room where you can't help but sweat for ninety minutes may seem strange at first but the idea has taken off and the popularity of hot yoga is increasing exponentially. "It got to a point where classes were so full we were turning people away," explains Ryann Doucette, owner and instructor at Moksha Hot Yoga, which opened in Winnipeg just over two years ago. Moksha has just opened its second studio in an attempt to keep up with the ever-increasing popularity of the latest fitness craze.

Hot yoga is a relatively modern form of yoga developed by Bikram Choudhury, a yoga guru from India, who used his practice as a way to successfully recover from a devastating knee injury.

Classes are now offered in all corners of the world and are open to anyone from beginners to experienced yogis - it seems that people everywhere are feeling the benefits the heat can bring.

Like all forms of yoga, participants will likely increase their body awareness, stability, flexibility, muscular strength, muscular endurance, and feel less stressed.

The difference between hot yoga and other forms of yoga is just that – it is HOT.  The studio is kept at a temperature of approximately 40 degrees Celsius. This combined with the fact that classes follow a specific sequence of postures, makes participants less prone to injury. The theory is that when the body is that warm, students can get deeper into the poses and therefore, achieve a more complete stretch.

The cardiovascular system is also put to the test as the increased temperature causes a sustained elevation in the heart rate. Amanda Ing, co-owner and instructor at Stafford Street Hot Yoga in Winnipeg, says, "Individuals can burn between 600-1000 calories in just one session, not to mention the detoxifying effects of all that sweating."

Given the extra heat, students are reminded to observe a few added safety precautions, most importantly, to maintain adequate levels of hydration. "Participants are encouraged to consume a litre of water both before and after class," says Doucette.
 

While some may feel ill or light-headed due to the excessive heat, all are encouraged to rest on their mats until any uncomfortable feelings pass but remain in the studio for the entire duration of the class. Part of the learning process is to allow the body to adapt to and endure the heat for the entire session.
  

Furthermore, in terms of safety, Ing adds that instructors should always be vigilant with students and stress the importance of maintaining the correct posture and while students should always be aiming to progress, "it's often necessary to remind them to listen to their bodies."

Consequently, for those who choose to embrace the unique challenge of doing hot yoga, the benefits are numerous. Ing reminds us that, "The end goal is stress reduction. Stress is the root cause of so many other ailments, by addressing that aspect, people generally feel stronger and healthier."

And, given the time of year, maybe just a tad warmer...

Kathryn McKenzie is a personal trainer and Sport Conditioning Specialist who owns Surefire Fitness in Winnipeg, MB.  She sweat a lot while doing the research to write this article. Learn more about her and Surefire Fitness at www.surefirefitness.ca.