FAQs
Do I need a reservation?
No. Please just arrive for class at least 15 minutes early as a beginner. Doors open 30 minutes prior to each scheduled class.
What is the purpose of the heat?
The heat softens and extends the ability and agility of the tendons, ligaments, and muscles, thus enabling practitioners to go more deeply and effectively into postures. The sweat resulting from the heat detoxifies the body (opens pores to let the toxins out). The heat increases heart rate for a better cardiovascular workout. The heat also thins the blood, allowing it to flow more easily and deeply into body tissues and organs. The result is a healing effect in any injured areas and a cleansing of the circulatory system. Contrary to popular belief, the heat helps the body act as a cooling system to keep the body from overheating. Moreover, the heated room requires increased focus, power of concentration and determination, which ultimately forges a stronger mind/body connection.
What are the benefits of the yoga and the heat?
+ Weight loss
+ Increased energy
+ Increased stamina
+ Increased flexibility
+ Improved concentration, focus, mental clarity and mental stamina
+ Increased strength and muscle tone
+ Decreased blood pressure
+ Increased coordination and proprioception
+ Improved sleep and increased relaxation
+ Increased endurance
+ Increased circulation
+ Increased discipline
+ Strengthened immune system
+ Increased lung capacity
+ Improved posture
+ Symptom relief for the following: sciatica, high blood pressure, arthritis, neck and back pain, diabetes, herniated disc, scoliosis, insomnia, stress, migraines, depression and anxiety.
How often should I practice?
Yoga is a lifelong practice that requires commitment and dedication. For new students, consistent and daily practice is recommended for the first few weeks, and preferably first few months, in order to allow your body and mind to acclimate to the heat, the series, and the changes resulting in your body. Consistent and daily practice up front will help your body acquire the physical memory and stamina necessary for enhancing your practice every time you are in the room. After you have established a solid foundation for your practice, at least 3 times a week is recommended for continued improvement. Less than 3 times per week is still recommended for continued maintenance of benefits.
How much water should I drink before class?
Proper hydration is extremely important for every physical activity but, due to the increased sweating in Hot Yoga, hydration is even more important and requires some forethought. It is highly recommended to drink at least 1 to 1.5 liters of water before every class. Such preparation will also prevent practitioners from needing/wanting to gulp lots of water during class, which can cause stomach cramps and generally act as a distraction.
What are electrolytes and why are they important?
Electrolytes are salts and minerals, such as sodium, potassium, and calcium that may be lost from the body during periods of profuse sweating. Symptoms of electrolyte deficiency include dizziness/headaches, cramping and fatigue. Electrolytes are contained in most sports drinks, but drinks that are low in sugar, e.g. coconut water, are preferable and healthier. A mixture of water, sea salt and lemon juice can also work to restore lost electrolytes, as well as tomato juice. In addition, try such foods as bananas and potatoes.
Should individuals with bad knees practice Hot Yoga?
Whether the knees are arthritic or injured, Hot Yoga will be therapeutic. Healing requires increased circulation to the injured area and increased circulation results from movement. However, always be aware of alignment and listen carefully to the instructions as they pertain to placement of the feet. Never compromise form for depth, and just go as deep as you can into postures to allow for healing and improved strength.
Should women continue practicing Hot Yoga when pregnant?
As with any form of exercise, pregnant women should not begin practicing for the first time while pregnant. However, regular practitioners of Hot Yoga for at least one year or more can and should continue practicing while pregnant, but a break during the first trimester is recommended. There are certain modified pregnancy postures, which an instructor can demonstrate for pregnant practitioners. Anecdotal evidence indicates that regular practitioners of Hot Yoga during pregnancy have a much easier and quicker delivery.
Does Hot Yoga provide maximum fitness?
Absolutely. Maximum fitness occurs when each and every organ, system and limb of the body functions optimally. Maximum fitness is not a superficial cosmetic condition but, rather, peak performance of the organ systems that metabolize food, improve digestion, ensure immunity, circulate and transport blood, regulate hormone production, and control endocrine gland secretions. Hot Yoga, if practiced with consistency, improves all body systems in addition to trimming the waistline and toning muscle, thereby developing maximum fitness.
Does Hot Yoga help with balancing the emotions?
Hot Yoga helps balance the emotion in several ways. Physiologically, regular practice harmonizes the nervous and endocrine systems, both of which figure heavily in emotional well-being. In addition, practicing Hot Yoga cultivates the mental faculties of self-control, concentration, determination, and patience. As practitioners become more aware of their inner lives through the practice of yoga, they begin to notice how events, interactions, and even the atmospheric pressure affects them. With such awareness, people can exercise choice in their response, which helps to balance their emotional life in the process.
How do you inform students of scheduling changes, special events, etc.?
This website will be regularly updated to include any scheduling changes, event notices or other important reminders. It is recommended that students check the website on a weekly basis to ensure there are no cancellations to regularly scheduled classes. For students with email, we will also regularly send emails informing recipients of any pertinent information otherwise contained on the website. When you register for your first class, you will be asked to provide your email address if interested in subscribing to our email list.
