Hot Yoga Should Be On Every Smart Goaler’s List

Hot yoga should be a key ingredient to anyone who wants to achieve overall success. Taking up yoga is definitely a smart goal for success.

Feeling stressed out or having too many thoughts and ideas running through your head?

Yoga connects the mind, body and soul which is why I recommend it to any high achiever. Taking time out to attend a class is a great stress reliever and a great way to become more focused.

I find whenever I’m stressed out or gotten into an argument with a family member or friend. Is is a great way to completely disconnect from the real world.

All you do while spending 75 minutes on your yoga mat is completely clear your mind and focus on your breath- or at least that’s what you’re suppose to do.

I have a difficult time “quieting the mind” so I use that time for self-reflection. Whatever is bothering me at that moment I try to work it out in my head. Usually by the end of the class the things that worried me don’t bother me and more and what’s important in life is put into perspective.

I have been practicing yoga since January 2009 when I moved to Burlington from Oakville. I decided to take up hot yoga since it was something I wanted to try and it’s close to my house. The place I go to is called Some Like It Hot but there are tons of studios in my area.

One of the great things about most yoga studios is that they offer good promotions for beginners. It may be a free class or a small fee for unlimited yoga for a week. If they don’t, ask. Yoga memberships can be over $100 so they should let you try out at least one class before you commit.

Warning though: make sure you go there with an open mind because my first yoga class there was the most difficult thing I have ever done. You might find it just as challenging if you’re use to doing cardio or not exercising at all. And right after my first impossible class I signed up for a 6 month membership.

I’m glad I stuck to it because unlike any other diet or exercise I have tried, yoga has completely transformed my body and my mind. My body is leaner and stronger and I find I can handle stress better. I’m more focused than ever when I practice yoga on a regular basis.

I love heat so that’s why I was attracted to it. Nothing beats a hot yoga class in the winter. Since in Canada we face more cool days than not. When you lie on your yoga mat with your eyes closed you can almost mistaken yourself for being at the beach.

Technically though, yoga done in this kind of heat gives you a deeper stretch because your muscles are warmed up. In turn you are less likely to injury yourself.

Since room temperature can be over 105 degrees Fahrenheit (or 40 degrees Celsius) and the humidity at 40%, I realize bikram yoga isn’t for everyone. There are many different types of yoga out there such as power vinyasa and yin.

I have tried yoga several times before I discovered hot yoga. Previously I wasn't really crazy about it. So if you have tried it and didn’t like it, give it another shot. Each yoga class can be different depending on the teacher. There’s a yoga class out there for everyone.

SBI!