Hot Yoga Bliss
Yoga Zone Student, Beth Vale, explains why Hot Yoga is her bliss…
A few months ago – at a point when I had reached my intellectual, emotional and physical tether – I made the spontaneous decision to start hot yoga. I looked up the closest studio and set off with mixture of nerves and excitement. Although I went in as a complete novice, I felt welcome and calm the moment I walked into the incense-infused Yoga Zone. I started with the free beginners class and by the time the hour was over, I was hooked! The next day, I purchased a discounted package of 10 classes in two weeks. And don’t get me wrong – it was hard! For two weeks, my body ached – I pushed my strength and endurance levels to the limit and would sometimes feel faint in class. But the challenge grabbed at my ambitious spirit and I was determined to master every pose.
After about a month of obsessive yoga, some wise words from a masterful yogini helped me realize that yoga was not the space for my perpetual striving. Instead, I needed to use yoga as a place where I could simply be, rather than do. Today, I practice yoga by listening to my body and trusting it – often times it surprises me in what it can do without my forcing it!
While some people may dread the sweaty heat of a 36-degree heated studio, I relish an hour of perspiration in a space that feels distinctly different from the rest of the world. The moment I enter the heated room, I enter a new space, where I can re-connect with my body after a full day of difficult mind-work. And even though I still find many of the poses challenging, and often get tired during a full-on Vinyasa class, I always leave feeling invigorated, refreshed and physically worked. Better still, the introspective atmosphere in class makes me feel as though I am the only person in the room, despite frequently crowded sessions. I would recommend hot yoga to anyone in need of some personal renewal. Just remember to drink lots of water before and after and leave your self-consciousness at home!
