Fab or Fad: Hot Yoga

By Erica Schwartz

by Hannah Sender

Hot yoga has grown increasingly popular over the last year or so. It seems like everyone I know is either a CorePower Yoga attendee or a CorePower instructor. This summer, I set out to uncover the hype surrounding hot yoga classes. You see, I’ve always been a bit of a yogi. Plus, I’m a huge fan of saunas, especially when paired with a cold plunge session. So imagine my surprise when I took a hot yoga class and absolutely hated it.

Instead of feeling healthy and connected to my inner light, I left the class feeling dirty, stinky, and lightheaded. I did not feel the usual post-exercise endorphins I get after lifting weights or the occasional run. I felt like an alien — why did everyone else like it but I didn’t?

That evening, after my first and last hot yoga class, I scoured the internet to understand why some people enjoy hot yoga and others do not. I learned that there isn’t really a cut-and-dried reason for that — but the practice does have both documented benefits and drawbacks.

Although it was not the activity for me, there is a good deal of science to explain hot yoga’s popularity. Studies suggest that hot yoga can have a positive effect on mental health and overall well-being — and who doesn’t want to feel happy? Physically, hot yoga can improve range of motion and flexibility, which are important for maintaining mobility as we age.

At the same time, some scientists argue that it is difficult to ascertain whether hot yoga provides more benefits than yoga practiced at lower temperatures. On top of that, hot yoga can be straight-up dangerous. Heat can make it difficult to sense our bodies’ pain signals, leading us toward overstretching and injury.

Like so many things in life, there isn’t a one-size-fits-all answer. The benefits aren’t so extreme that I think everyone should pick up the practice, but the drawbacks aren’t so detrimental that anyone who enjoys hot yoga should stop. At the end of the day, your wellness journey is your own. Anything that brings you joy should be practiced in moderation, and anything that doesn’t spark joy should be avoided when possible. If you haven’t hopped on the hot yoga bandwagon, you might not be missing much. And if you are a fan of hot yoga, keep going — just be mindful and listen to your body.