There are more than a few myths that need to be dispelled with regards to doing hot yoga in the summer, and with beach weather upon us, it's time for the naked truth:

Myth # 1: "The yoga room is hotter in the summer."

Not true. The yoga room is less hot in the summer.  

Most Bikram yoga studios balance out the heat and the humidity to create an environment that is conducive to stretching out your muscles and massaging your internal organs safely and effectively.

That balance can be anywhere from 38 to 42 degrees Celsius and 20 to 50 percent humidity.

In the summer months, this perfect hybrid of heat and humidity is balanced out with LESS heat and MORE humidity. In the winter, the dryer conditions make the room require more heat, and humidity is created through humidifiers or special ventilation systems that can gauge the humidity and change it accordingly.

Summer= less heat, more humidity. Winter = more heat, less humidity 

Both formulas work.  

The only difference being that you sweat more in the former.  

In more humid climates, like Florida, where Bikram yoga is VERY popular, there is always more humidity, balanced out with less heat. As we all know, it's hot there year 'round.

People in hotter climates such as Australia and Florida practice Bikram yoga 12 months of the year so that they can acclimate themselves to the heat. Your body cools down considerably in the hours following a class, making the summer heat more tolerable.  

Naturally, in India, calling it "hot yoga" would be a little redundant, so they just call it "yoga." Given their revered history with the practice, I think they've earned it. ; )  

Myth # 2: "Hot yoga is harder in the summer."

Bikram yoga can be as difficult a journey as you would like it to be, or it can simply be "no sweat."   

One  of the benefits of yoga and learning to master control of the mind, is that you can make it as "hard" or "easy" as you want - each and every class. 

If you have an ingrained perspective that it will be harder for you in the summer, that preconceived notion will bleed into your practice and - make no mistake - it will be harder.

If that's the case, then you will need to pace yourself accordingly, regardless of how you arrived at that conclusion.    

We all have "hard" classes all year long. With that adversity, comes growth. Each difficult class presents another opportunity for change. 

The important thing is to not deprive yourself of all the benefits you receive from practicing during all four seasons of the year, especially given that you are in a controlled environment when you come to Bikram yoga. 

I know, sometimes the cottage beckons. Slap some sunscreen on and practice your postures on the dock if you need to. It's all good.

Myth #3: I don't have time for outdoor activities when I practice Bikram yoga in the summer.

The  yoga you do in the hot room will actually help you stay uninjured from those activities. Doing more running outside or participating in sports that traumatize the joints and give them repetitive pressure can be offset by the benefits of Bikram yoga. Remember: you are in the yoga room for your health and well-being. Fitness and any esthetic gains are simply by-products of the yoga.

I get runners who come in and wish they had discovered Bikram yoga years ago because they now have chronic knee/back/hip injuries that are inhibiting their mobility and causing them a lot of pain. 90 minutes in the hot room really helps them heal!

If you are absolutely set on running or participating in sports, I'm all for it. Just be careful and understand that you can do both.  

Don't have the time, you say?   

Yes. You. Do.

This summer, to stay cool, get hot!     

Paul McQuillan

owner/director, BYC