Yoga is a great way to relax and unwind, but what if you could do yoga in a hot tub?
That’s right—you can! Hot tub yoga is an increasingly popular activity that combines the benefits of both hot tubs and yoga into one incredible experience.
If you’re interested in trying this practice for yourself, here’s everything you need to know about how it works and how to get started.
What Is Hot Tub Yoga and Who Should Consider It?
Hot tub yoga is a type of yoga that combines elements of traditional hot tubs with the practice of yoga. The combination of heat and water can help you relax and improve flexibility while stimulating your circulation.
People of all ages and fitness levels can perform hot tub yoga, but it’s most beneficial for those with arthritis or other joint pain. If you’re looking for an easy way to get started with yoga, hot tub yoga may be an excellent place to start.
You don’t have to be in perfect shape or have years of experience under your belt before trying this style of exercise. As long as you’re comfortable getting into a hot tub, you’re ready for hot tub yoga!
What are the Health Benefits of Hot Tub Yoga?
Hot tub yoga is a great way to relax and unwind. It also has several other health benefits that make it an excellent addition to your fitness routine.
1. Decrease Inflammation
Hot tub yoga can help reduce inflammation in the body. This can be especially helpful for those dealing with chronic pain or other inflammatory conditions.
2. Improve Flexibility
One of the most important aspects of hot tub yoga is that it improves flexibility. Hot tubs help loosen up the muscles and joints, so you’ll be able to move easily and without discomfort.
3. Increase Mobility in the Joints and Muscles
The heat from the hot tub also helps relax tight muscles and improve circulation. It also helps clear blockages from the joint fluid. This reduces stiffness from aging joints such as knees, hips, and ankles while improving motion so you can move more freely.
4. Improve Sleep Pattern
Hot tubs can help you sleep faster and improve the quality of your sleep. The water’s heat helps stimulate the body’s core, which then creates a relaxing effect on your muscles.
5. Increase Blood Flow and Circulation
Hot tubs can help to increase blood flow throughout your body. This increased blood flow helps to improve overall circulation. This can help with muscle recovery after exercise or an injury and reduce pain from arthritis, fibromyalgia, etc.
6. Boost Energy Levels
Hot tub yoga increases energy levels because the heat of the water activates your core muscles. These muscles are responsible for giving you stability, balance, and strength during practice. When they’re activated, you feel more energized.
7. Reduce Stress
Hot tub yoga reduces stress by relaxing muscles and calming your mind with gentle stretching exercises. These meditation techniques help you gain control over your mind so that it doesn’t have as much control over your body.
Top 9 Different Hot Tub Yoga Poses For Beginners
The following yoga poses are great for beginners.
1. Mountain Pose
Stand feet hip-width apart in the water, with hands by your side or resting on your hips. Lift your chest and let it drop as you inhale and exhale slowly for several breaths.
2. Half Moon Pose
Stand at the center of the hot tub. Arch your back into a C shape, focusing on pushing your chest out. To feel the pose, try to touch your elbows together. Maintain your balance and avoid falling.
3. Clock Pose
Place your feet shoulder-width apart in the middle of the hot tub. Hold both arms out in front of you, straight and together. Then twist to the left with your torso only. Turn again to your starting position and repeat on your right side.
If you’re looking to up your hot tub yoga game, here are some intermediate poses that will take your practice to the next level:
4. Tree Pose
Tree pose requires strength and stability in the hips and legs and core strength. In this pose, you’ll be balancing on the right leg (with your other leg pressing on the inside thigh of your left leg. Raise your hands above your head, and reach as high as possible towards the sky. Repeat the same with your left leg.
5. Warrior 1
Stand with your feet about hip-width apart. Bend one knee to touch the ground and extend the other leg in front of you, making sure it’s straight. Bend your waist and put your hands on your knee for support.
6. Warrior 2
From Warrior 1 pose (above), step back with one foot into a lunge position and lower both hands down onto either side of that leg’s knee cap. Then lean back slightly, so you feel a stretch along both sides of your hip flexor muscles (these are located just above where each thigh meets its respective groin area).
There are many other different hot tub yoga poses you can try out. Here are some of the advanced yoga poses:
7. Lord of Dance Pose
Begin in mountain pose, then shift to your left leg, bend the knee on your right and move your left foot up to your back. With your right hand, reach back, grab your foot, and bring up your left hand toward the sky. Hold for a few seconds, then go back to a mountain pose and repeat with the other side.
8. Lotus Pose
The lotus pose is one of the most challenging in yoga. It involves putting both feet on top of each other while sitting cross-legged in the water with your back straight and your head up. Maintain the lotus pose for 30 seconds to 1 minute before switching leg positions.
9. Eagle Pose
This advanced yoga pose is great for strengthening your back and core and stretching your legs. You’ll need to keep your knees bent and one leg behind the other. Then you’ll move the knee of your back leg over the other one. Place your arms at a 90-degree angle in front of you, with elbows touching one another.
Safety Guidelines
Here are some tips on how to stay safe while enjoying your hot tub yoga session:
- Always ensure that the water in the hot tub is at a temperature that is comfortable for your body and does not cause any discomfort.
- Use a non-slip mat if you are doing any standing or balancing poses such as tree or warrior 2 poses. This will help prevent slips and falls, which could result in injury or drowning if you fall into the water.
- Always warm up before doing any stretches or Yoga poses that involve stretching muscles outwards toward their maximum range of motion (ROM).
- Pregnant women and people with heart conditions should check with their doctor or physician before starting this exercise.
- Dehydration can occur quickly while doing hot tub yoga; drink plenty of water before starting, during breaks between poses, and afterwards as well.
- If you feel dizzy, take a break and move back into an upright position before continuing with your practice.
Your Hot Tub Yoga Routine
Hot tub yoga can be tailored to meet beginner, intermediate, or advanced needs.
- Prepare. Before starting your hot tub yoga routine, ensure you have everything you need! You’ll want to bring a towel and water bottle into the hot tub to stay hydrated throughout your practice.
- Warm-Up. To warm up for hot tub yoga, it’s best to do some light stretching before getting in the water. It will loosen up your muscles and help prevent injuries while practising in a warm environment.
- Do Your Poses. Hot tubs are great for relaxing after a long day at work or school, but they can also be used as an effective workout tool if done correctly. Just remember that when practising any yoga, take it slow. Focus on proper alignment rather than speed or number of repetitions per pose.
- Relax and cool down: Once you’ve completed all of your poses, it’s time to relax and enjoy the benefits of your hard work. Try lying back in the water with your eyes closed while breathing deeply and slowly.
Start Your Hot Tub Yoga Exercise Today!
Yoga allows you to relax and focus on your body, mind, and spirit. Plus, it’s not just a great way to get in shape—it can also help you sleep better, reduce stress, and more! If you’re looking for a new way to practice yoga that doesn’t require sitting still on the floor in a studio, hot tub yoga might be right up your alley.
If you’re interested in learning more about hot tubs or looking for a place to buy one, feel free to visit Spa Palace or contact us today. We are here to help you find the right hot tub for your needs. We also offer hot tub maintenance and repair services.
