The Hot Yoga Effect

I definitely cannot claim to be an expert when it comes to exercise. My fitness strategy for the last few years has involved less-than-strenuous power walking, a wasted gym membership, and a series of short lived spurts of at-home DVD use. 

 

These things were all working well enough, but there comes a point, where if one’s flexibility has become that abysmal you can no longer touch your toes, something must be done. However, it must be said that I entered New Farm Power Yoga with a little trepidation. 

 

After a failed (and rather traumatic) attempt at Bikram yoga a few years back, I was far from sold on the benefits of exercising in an unnecessarily hot room. After a semi successful beginners class the evening before (there was no toe touching achieved), the notion that I would easily complete a hot yoga class could have been a tad optimistic and perhaps a touch deluded of me, but what the hell. I designated myself to the furthest back corner and hoped for the best. 

 

The great thing about hot yoga, as opposed to Bikram, is the absence of that soul crushing heat. Hot yoga is warm enough to breathe life into tight, restricted muscles, without causing you to sweat out a week’s worth of water intake. 

 

Those of you limited to no flexibility will love the sudden rubber band effect the heat can have on your previously stubborn hamstrings. The 60 minute class was fast moving, energetic and challenging, offering up various levels of difficulty depending on your skill level - perfect for those us huddled in the back corner. I left feeling well worked and profusely proud of myself… after not one but TWO toe touches. 

 

Whether you are looking for a slightly warmer activity to get you through winter, a new challenge, or simply chasing that long gone flexibility, hot yoga will make a great addition to any exercise regime.