How To Create Hot Yoga At Home

It's no surprise we miss our beloved hot yoga studios. I miss joining my yoga community and sharing in movement during our joint yoga practice. I miss teaching in-person classes and connecting face-to-face. I so badly want to experience my body heating up, feeling the change in temperature as I walk into a heated yoga room. And of course, I miss all the benefits of hot yoga(flexibility, stress relief, calorie burn, and so many more.)

Yeah, this is hard.

To make these times a little bit easier for us hot yoga folks, I've created this list for you to experience hot yoga in your room at home. Think of it as a ritual you partake in, just for you. Think of it as something you deserve to create for yourself, even during this time of chaos. While it will never take our favorite yoga studio's place, it will quell our thirst (or will it?) until we meet again.

Become BFFs with the infrared space heater

This is rule number one. In order to have the full hot yoga experience, your room has to be hot.Position your infrared heater a few feet away from your mat, with the heated side facing you. I achieve my best at-home hot yoga sessions when I allow the room to heat up for 20 minutes prior to my flow. This is a great time to adjust to the temperature, drink water, meditate, or journal.

Please note: an infrared space heater should never be left unattended. When not in use, unplug that bad boy.

Not enough heat? Enter stage right: a humidifier

Now, we're talking. All the best hot yoga studios know a combination of humidity and heat is what makes the room feel so dreamy and sauna-like. Adding this element of moisture to the hot air is a gamechanger (and helps us move through those poses with ease). You can place your humidifier in the corner of the room and turn it on at the same time as the heater. Build your personal yoga studio oasis, baby.

Start with the breath

I know, don't yoga teachers always say that? Well, we do, because it's true. The key to building internal heat is by utilizing ujjayi breath. Keep a steady, consistent, strong breath; inhaling through the nose and exhaling through the nose—for the entire yoga practice. It'll take some getting used to, but it makes all the difference.

Target large muscle groups with dynamic movement

When we target large muscle groups and incorporate dynamic movement in a yoga sequence, we can build heat more easily. Think oscillating between Warrior 2 (quadriceps, glutes) and Star Pose—or Crescent A (quadriceps, hamstrings) and Low Lunge Pose. However many times on each side until your heartbeat starts pumpin' (and you start to sweat)!

Core or bust

The stomach area is where the Manipura chakra is located. The element of this chakra is fire, and it's no wonder—when we engage our belly muscles, we build tons of warmth. A plank is a simple and effective static pose that will quickly create heat and sweat. Continue building your sweat by adding Side Plank Pose, Dolphin Pose, Boat Pose, or crunches. Must I go on?

Light some candles

Who wouldn't want a softly-lit yoga space? Sprinkling candles around the room adds not only warmth, but an ethereal vibe to your practice. You can even use the fire from a candle as your Drishti (point of focus) when moving through your standing postures.

Please note: make sure the candles steer clear of flammable objects and are placed on stable surfaces.

Use essential oils

Imagine yourself walking into your favorite hot yoga studio. What do you smell? I'm sure it's a combination of moving bodies and essential oils (tell me I'm wrong). Add them to your at-home hot yoga ritual! Consider placing your favorite essential oil on your wrists and your temples prior to beginning your practice. If you have a diffuser, that works, too.

While we aren't exactly stoked to be inside, we owe it to ourselves to keep our passions alive. By creating a home practice that mimics the studio experience (and going virtual when you can), we can continue to thrive as we shelter in place.

What would you add to this list? Let us know by posting on your Instagram story and tagging @mindbody.

Associate Project Manager

About the author

During the day, you can find Dani project managing the heck out of Mindbody's B2B marketing efforts. When the clock strikes 5, she's either teaching a sweaty power flow, completing a seven-step skincare routine (oily skin or bust), or catching the last bit of sun on any rolling hill in San Luis Obispo.

How To Create Hot Yoga At Home

Source: https://explore.mindbodyonline.com/blog/fitness/how-recreate-your-hot-yoga-vibe-home

Posted by: muellerthateadthe.blogspot.com

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