5 Reasons to Take Heated Classes in the Summer (and How to Do It Safely)
Think practicing in the heat is just for the cold months? Think again. Summer is actually the best time to sweat it out and here are 5 reasons why:
Adapt to the heat. Regular practice in a heated room may help your body acclimate to exercising in warmer temperatures.
Move with greater ease. Warm muscles can improve short-term flexibility and make movement feel more comfortable.
Build resilience. Practicing in the heat helps build resilience by teaching you to stay calm and present under physical stress.
Stay consistent. Keeping your practice going through the summer helps maintain strength, mobility, and routine year-round.
Boost your mood. Regular yoga practice is associated with improvements in mood and reductions in stress and anxiety.
Increase blood flow. Practicing in a heated room increases blood flow during exercise as your body cools itself.
How to Practice Safely
Hydrate before, during, and after class.
Give your body time to adjust. If you're new to practicing in the heat or returning after a break, ease in gradually.
Know that Child's Pose is always available. Learning when to pause, regulate your effort, and extend yourself grace is part of the practice.
Know the warning signs. Dizziness, headache, nausea, vomiting, muscle cramps, confusion, or vision changes can all be signs that it's time to stop and cool down.
Check in if you have a condition that affects heat tolerance–when in doubt consult your doctor.
"Hot yoga appears to promote some beneficial adaptations compared to non-exercise and non-heat yoga, including improvements to physiological and functional health (e.g., body composition, balance and flexibility) as well as potential physical performance improvements (e.g., strength). Long-term hot yoga practice may also promote psychological and cognitive function improvements." - Hot Yoga: A Systematic Review of the Physiological, Functional and Psychological Responses and Adaptations
Contrast Therapy: The benefits of heat and cold exposure
“A growing body of evidence suggests that exposure to thermal stress may provide several health benefits, particularly in post-exercise recovery and in the management of cardiovascular or inflammatory diseases.” - Heat and Cold Interventions: Unveiling Synergistic and Counteractive Mechanisms for Health Benefits
Our Wellesley Recovery Suite offers Finnish sauna, cold showers, and red light therapy to complement your practice and support post-exercise recovery.
Of course, if practicing in a heated room isn't the right fit for you, we also offer a variety of unheated classes so you can enjoy the benefits of movement in an environment that feels best for your body.
