Yes! The beauty of yoga is that it's ideal for everyone, all ages and all abilities. You will find that there are a variety of modifications that will suit your abilities. If you're new, you can practice alongside advanced students to visualize the progression of poses.
Wear light "stretchy" clothes in which you can move easily but covers appropriately to accommodate the many forward bends that can be revealing.
Bring a mat (we sell mats), a large towel and water to class. Hot Yoga generates a lot of sweat. We rent mats and towels if necessary. You may also want to bring a change of clothes for after class.
Our classes are excellent cardio-vascular workouts that raise the heart rate and burn fat. A minimum of 10 classes per month, along with a proper healthy diet will show weight stabilization. Studies show that the average calorie burn per class is 500 and up, and of course this depends on size and how hard you work. With regular practice, your digestive, respiratory, endocrine and lymphatic systems will optimally work together and you will begin to notice diminished unhealthy cravings.
The nicest thing about yoga is the range of benefits you'll receive. On a physical level, you'll experience more strength, better balance, increased stamina, better breathing, improved flexibility, better posture and healthier circulation. All of these can add value to your athletic activities, such as running, cycling or swimming or they can simply alleviate tight muscles or help in recovery of an injury. On a mental level, the practice of yoga itself engages the student in meditation, which leads to improved focus, a calm mind and general happiness. On a spiritual level, yoga encourages a process of inquiry and a connection to our truest self.
Heat protects the muscles, allowing for deeper stretching, thins the blood to clear the circulatory system, and detoxifies the body through sweat. The heat may come as a challenge to new students but you get used to it faster than you think.
A common misconception of yoga is the need to be flexible in order to do the postures. Yoga is not about having the flexibility to bend into a pretzel. The aim of yoga practice is improved heath, strength, stability and happiness. With continued safe practice suited to your body's daily needs, you will notice increased flexibility over time.
Always tell your instructor of recent or prior injuries! He or she can help you get the most out of your practice while being attentive to your injury. During class, focus on doing the postures within the limits of your injury. With time, your body will heal and you will be able to return to the previous level of the postures or even go deeper with a new sense of awareness. Seriously consider doing a private session - call us at 419.874.2911. Although it is possible to practice yoga with an injury, sometimes the best yoga is no yoga. Take a break and let your body heal.
If this is your first yoga class or you haven't practiced in a while, expect to feel a little sore in the muscles the next day. You may also have a headache - it's generally a sign that your body has started detoxing. Drink a lot of water before and after class. If you sweated a lot, you may also need electrolytes. Try coming again the next day to help your body become accustomed to the practice. You may even find that relieves much of your muscle soreness.
Packages and your class attendance are tracked in a database in real time. Unless you are dropping in, you should receive a notice when your membership is up. Always sign-in at the lobby when attending a class.
Hot Yoga posts changes to this Web site and on flyers within the studio- We typically only make changes around holiday times and also add "trial" classes for 2-3 months and if attendance warrants, add them long term so we are always growing our schedule. Please check the Web site at least monthly to see schedule changes. Thanks for your cooperation.