As the name implies, Hot Power Yoga combines two yoga types – Hot yoga and Power yoga.
Just a quick reminder if you’re not acquainted with one of these styles. Power yoga is a modern type of dynamic yoga that also uses some Western exercises to build strength and stamina. Hot yoga is also a dynamic style akin to Vinyasa and it’s practiced in a heated room.
The combination of these two styles creates a challenging routine which is perfect if you’re looking for something new or if you’re currently focused on improving your physique or performance.
In this article, we’re going to cover this in greater detail so you can know what to expect in a Hot Power Yoga class. Here’s what we’re going to talk about:
- What Is Hot Yoga?
- What Is Power Yoga?
- What Is Hot Power Yoga?
- Difference Between Hot Power Yoga and Baptiste Power Vinyasa Yoga
- Benefits Of Hot Power Yoga
- Hot Power Yoga Classes
Without further ado, let’s get into it.
What Is Hot Yoga?
Hot yoga is a yoga style that took the basic yoga poses and added its own flair into it. The biggest thing that differentiates it from other yoga styles is the temperature: hot yoga is practiced in rooms heated to between 85 and 105 degrees Fahrenheit.
The first person who popularized hot yoga is the infamous Bikram Choudhury who started teaching it in the 1970s.
For this reason, you will often hear the terms Bikram and Hot yoga interchangeably, however, they are not the same.
Bikram yoga is the original style developed by Bikram Choudhury. It was a set of specific 26 poses and 2 breathing exercises which are always practiced in the same order. They are done in a room heated to 105°F (40.5°C) and with 40% humidity.
Hot yoga is any type of yoga (the sequence is not predetermined) practiced in a heated studio. The temperature is not always the same and ranges between 80 and 100°F.
The original idea with heated rooms was to mimic the temperatures in India.
The heated room brings the benefit of releasing toxins through sweat. Research shows that hot yoga also releases tension from the muscles, reduces stress, decreases low back pain, and can help relieve symptoms of depression.
What Is Power Yoga?
Power yoga, the second part of Hot Power yoga is a dynamic yoga style where the main goal is building endurance and strength.
Its roots are in Ashtanga yoga but it doesn’t have the same set sequence. It flows from one pose to the next rather than focusing on each pose separately, akin to Vinyasa.
The main difference from usual Vinyasa classes is the intensity. Power yoga is much more rapid and intense. It is more likely to include more challenging poses like arm balances.
Power yoga also incorporates some ideas from Western exercise, such as using repetitions. For example, you might go from Plank to Chaturanga 10 times in a row, akin to pushups.
As a result, Power yoga is a more aerobic workout than other yoga types and also burns more calories. Although you will need to focus on your breath, the main goal is physical rather than spiritual or meditative.
What Is Hot Power Yoga?
Now that we’ve briefly gone through both Power and Hot yoga, you can already assume what Hot Power yoga is.
It is a yoga style that unites some aspects of both of these styles.
There is no specific founder of Hot Power yoga, it rather evolved naturally. Likely, teachers simply wanted to offer a wider variety of styles in their heated studios.
Since it developed spontaneously, there is no specific structure for Hot Power yoga.
The rooms will be heated to a temperature higher than usual, and sometimes the level of humidity will also be elevated.
At this temperature, you will practice yoga in the Power style, meaning you can expect challenging positions, fast transitions, and sometimes repetitions. For this reason, we wouldn’t recommend Hot Power Yoga to absolute beginners.
This style is ideal for those who are already accustomed to the challenging Power Yoga practice and want to get the bonus benefits of practicing in a heated room.
It can also be an interesting venture for those who look to level up from their usual Bikram, Hot yoga, or Vinyasa classes.
Basically, you’re getting the benefits of both styles – the detox qualities of Hot yoga and the invigorating and strength-building benefits of Power yoga.
Although this style is not considered to be primarily meditative, it can actually be that. The thing is, we are sometimes too stressed, jittery, or stuck in overthinking to be able to really relax in a Hatha or Yin class.
In these moments Hot Power yoga can be a more suitable way to find our way inward, allowing us to express our energy, and gradually slow down till the end. In my experience with Power yoga, it can be a great preparation for a still meditation practice.
Difference Between Hot Power Yoga and Baptiste Power Vinyasa Yoga
There is another type of yoga akin to Hot Power Yoga.
It’s called Baptiste Power Vinyasa yoga and was created by Baron Baptiste.
The style is a combination of Bikram, Ashtanga, and Power yoga.
Not all classes are the same akin to power yoga, and the room temperature is heated, typically to 90 degrees, similarly to hot yoga.
The sequence is vigorous but includes meditation and self-inquiry, and this is where it differs from a typical Hot Power Yoga class. The goal of the practice is for the students to transform the Self, but also to enhance passion, authenticity, and confidence in their life.
Although they are not exactly the same, Baptiste’s yoga style is a great alternative if you don’t have a Hot Power yoga studio in your area.
Benefits Of Hot Power Yoga
So, why practice Hot Power Yoga? Some of the benefits are the same as with all other yoga styles, and some are unique to it.
- Builds strength in the entire body, as you are going through a variety of challenging positions.
- It’s a great style if you want to improve your physique, tone the muscles, and lose weight.
- It is also a fantastic choice if you want to learn more advanced positions like arm balances.
- There are also many poses that work on your flexibility, including intense stretches like splits. The heat promotes deeper relaxation of the soft tissues in the body, so you will be able to get deeper into the stretches.
- Relieves stress, anxiety, and depression, and brings a sense of calm.
- Boosts circulation and the activity of the lymphatic system.
- You will sweat more than in a regular class which may promote detoxification – just make sure you have a water bottle nearby.
- The new approach to practice can feel refreshing if you’ve been practicing for a while, motivating you to keep going. The environment is also energetic and motivating.
- Improves motor control – research shows regular power yoga practice can help with Parkinson’s.
- Reduces lower back and joint pain.
- Improves sleep.
Hot Power Yoga Classes
If you don’t have a hot power yoga studio nearby – you can also practice at home.
Just heat up your room to between 85 and 105 degrees Fahrenheit, and try one of these classes on YouTube:
Or find your next favorite style in our library:
