I think it's probably higher..depends on your level of effort and HR during the session. I've done both Hot Yoga with the traditional 27 poses and a hot tapas class with focus on legs. I work pretty hard in both classes and feel my heart rate going. For upcoming class on Monday..I plan on wearing my HRM. I"ll post back what it outputs.

I think that generic "yoga" that is listed on MFP is for an average Hatha class. Depending on your size and fitness level of course, I think you can burn around 180 - 300 calories for 60 min Hatha. I compare it to about walking for 60min. For Hatha Flow and Ashtanga classes I estimate a bit more, depending on what we actually did in class that day. They say for Power Flow and Vinyasa classes, an average person burns anywhere between 300 - 500+ for an hour??? There's such a range, not just in calories but in each style, class, teacher, etc. so it's really hard to estimate, unless you have a HRM...

Right now for yoga, I check out several calculators and take the lowest or avg number. I also compare it to other types of workout I do (walking, cardio or strength training) and see if the actual work I did matches that number. That's my best guesstimate!! I take all numbers on MFP with a grain of salt anyways and figure an estimate is better than nothing:)

check out: http://www.healthstatus.com/calculate/cbc (includes hot yoga)

Until I get a HRM, I love to hear from anyone who's worn one to a class:flowerforyou:

Hello, I do an hour long vinyasa yoga class or astanga at home and I've worn my HRM a few time. I burn approx 100 calories in an hour. I'm 5' 6" and 133lbs. I run for fitness so I think the yoga just doesn't raise my heart rate enough to burn a lot (I always do all the vinyasas, never sit them out. It's the same for my body pump class, I burn about 200 calories. Some of mfps can burn 500 or so. I think it depends on your fitness.

I agree, I think yoga is about so much more than calorie burn. I love doing yoga and I love the balance it gives me combined with running.

I don't find my HRM strap uncomfortable- you wear a bra and it fits underneath my sports bra. In saying that I don't wear mine everytime I exercise, I just use the same figure I got acouple of times. I always wear it for my running though.

My HRM is all over the place during my yoga classes and varies on the type of class being offered. I notice an increase during the hot classes, but not to the extent some online tools give. Even though I'm logging the calories, I'm not focusing on them any more and am just enjoying the classes. Best muscle recovery ever after a week of cardio and weights!