Q: What are the benefits of practicing hot yoga?
A: Yoga offers a holistic experience that can deliver total health through the balancing of every system in the body. The practice of yoga encourages concentration, patience, determination, and self-control through physical movement, helping to prevent illness, increase mental clarity and reduce stress. With a consistent practice and honest effort, you can experience the following benefits: greater flexibility, strength and muscle tone, increased vitality, better balance, deeper breathing, improved posture, strengthened immune system, improved circulation, weight loss, improved relaxation, sense of peace, a more positive outlook on life, and connection to a community of like-minded people!
Q: What’s the deal with the heat?
A: Heat helps to limber up your muscles, allowing for deeper stretching. It also helps detoxify the body, thin the blood to improve circulation, increase heart rate for a better cardiovascular workout, improve strength by putting muscle tissue in optimal state for reorganization, and reorganize lipids in the muscular structure.
Remember: you’re literally changing the construction of your body. It’s much like forging a samurai sword. It all starts with a piece of cold, rigid steel. When heated, the steel softens and becomes malleable, so it can be hammered into the proper shape. That’s what you’re doing in class! You are reshaping your body, your mind, and your life!
Q: What if I’m not flexible?
A: This is the most common misconception that prevents people from coming to a yoga class. However, yoga is not about how flexible you are. All that matters is that you try the right way, and you will get 100% of the benefit! No matter what your level of fitness, your yoga practice will challenge you as you stretch your body in all directions. No matter how old or sick or out of shape, you can still stretch and have a new beginning with yoga. It’s never too late.
Q: I run or do other forms of exercise. Should I do hot yoga too?
A: Yes! Hot yoga is excellent for helping align and strengthen your body and is a great compliment to all other forms of exercise. For many athletes, hot yoga is an amazing way to heal and recover from the stress their bodies experience with high-impact sports or other workouts. We’ve had many runners say that once they start practicing hot yoga, they are able to achieve their “personal best” in races! Hikers also experience a noticeable improvement with their endurance on the trails!
Q: How do I prepare for a hot yoga class?
A: Come to class well hydrated. This includes drinking plenty of water throughout the 24 hours prior to class and include an electrolyte supplement. Come to class on an empty stomach. Most students feel like eating two hours before class gives them enough energy to fuel their workouts without running on completely empty. Everyone is different, and after a few classes, you’ll find what works best for you. Just don’t come hungry – you burn a lot of calories in class, and your body needs the fuel!
Lastly, you do not need to “get in shape” or do anything extreme to start practicing hot yoga! Just commit to consistent practice. In the beginning, it must be a discipline – we recommend booking your class times for the week and commit to being there. This discipline will transform to a habit and eventually to a passion. Taking care of yourself and your health will have transformed from something you “have to do” into something you love to do!
