Hot Yoga for Depression

Hot yoga may be able to help with depression. Here's what you can expect from a Bikram hot yoga class, and whether hot yoga might be as effective as antidepressant medication.

Every time I walk into a hot Bikram yoga studio, I ask myself, “Why am I doing this?” The heat is turned up to a sweltering 105 degrees F with 40% humidity. Within 15 minutes of holding the postures in the heat, my heart is racing and sweat is dripping onto my mat. Then, after the 90-minute class is over, I walk out of the studio, feeling physically and mentally humbled, at peace and anew.