Hot yoga may lead to injuries, passing out
BY KATY NIELSEN JAN 10, 2012
In a hot, sticky and steamy room men and women twist into yoga poses, sweat dripping from the ends of their noses. But the air conditioner isn’t broken — it’s January. This is a hot yoga class, a growing trend, and it’s not for everyone.
Some people worry about the risks of taking hot yoga, otherwise known as Bikram yoga, because of the possibility of heat-related injuries. Bikram is a 90-minute beginning yoga class that takes place in 105 degrees Fahrenheit, which is meant to “detoxify” the body, “heal and prevent injuries” and “enhance physical performance,” according to the 105F.com website.
Lyn Levin is a student at Bikram Yoga Chicago, which has three locations, and has studied yoga for 15 years. Levin said she has suffered injuries during hot yoga classes and has seen others get hurt. She saw someone pass out in a class the first week of January, she said.