A 2025 systemic review in Sports Medicine – Open examined the effects of hot yoga on the body and mind. Hot yoga is practiced in warm to hot conditions, typically at temperatures at or above 77° F. The review of 43 studies involving 942 predominantly female participants assessed the immediate and long-term effects of the practice. Many of the studies had small sample sizes or inadequate experimental designs.

The researchers found that body temperature and heart rate rose after a single session of hot yoga, but it did not require greater energy compared to yoga performed at normal temperatures. Longer sessions of hot yoga led to some improvements in flexibility, balance, bone mineral density, body composition and cardiovascular indicators such as blood lipid profiles.

The researchers found encouraging but not definitive evidence that hot yoga may alleviate psychological and affective disorders, as well as improve cognitive function. Noting that there were reports of ill-health following hot yoga practice, the researchers concluded that while hot yoga appears to offer some health and functional benefits, claims that it is superior to other forms of exercise or yoga are not yet backed by strong evidence.