Hot Yoga Evolution Website | For Teachers: Yoga Class Evaluation
Frequently Asked Questions About Our Yoga
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What is Hot Yoga? Yoga means union of body, mind and spirit. Hot Yoga is the physical form of yoga, designed to bring balance and well-being into your life.
It is the perfect lifetime fitness program and totally different from any other kind of exercise.
The Hot Yoga exercises reach deep into the tissue, relieve tension and stress, revitalize and assist in overcoming many physical and emotional problems, such as sciatica, back problems, neck/shoulder tension, depression.
How should I prepare for class? Arrive at least 15 minutes before the class starts.
The best outfit for a heated Yoga class: close-fitting, breathable sports-clothing.
Be prepared to sweat - you'd want to have a refillable water bottle handy. You will get the best results if you hydrate up and eat a light snack 1-2 hours before class.
Make sure you finish any heavy meal at least 2-3 hours before practice.
Be sure to drink plenty of water throughout the day to get your body fully hydrated. Please read our Welcome Letter before and after your first class. It is full of useful guidelines.
Do I need a Yoga mat? Yes, you might want to have your own Yoga mat - it feels clean, it's great to have one. We offer complimentary mat and towel service at the Studio, so bring your own if you like, or we will provide them.
I'm trying to lose weight, tone my body, or improve my health - is your Yoga right for me? Yes. To put it simply, the fitness-oriented-series kind of Yoga is a great workout. The excercises in the class require strength and balance, which means as you attempt them you will be working virtually every major (and minor!) muscle group in the body. While there are periods of rest, the poses are done one after another, which makes them an excellent aerobic workout, too. However, our non-confrontational approach allows you to set a level of intensity that suits your style and your goals.
I've never done Yoga before, or I'm new to doing Yoga in a heated room. Is there a beginner's class? Beginners are always welcome at our Yoga room. Each of our classes typically has students of all levels of experience, including many beginners. Be prepared to work hard, and remember that nobody expects you to be an expert on the first day. Your balance, strength, and flexibility will come with practice. And if you are still a bit intimidated, ask about our Private Yoga session for an introduction.
I've heard of several different kinds of Yoga. What style do you offer? Our approach to Yoga is called the "Hot Yoga Evolution". The main idea here is to experience the benefits of Yoga, which is an ancient tradition, and we deliver the Yoga to you in a completely user-friendly, modern form. This way, each Student is able to feel successful in class, regardless of their age, gender, cultural background, and fitness level. Please refer to the evolutionhotyoga.com website for more detailed information.
What differentiates the Hot Yoga Evolution from Bikram or other forms of Hot Yoga? We offer a series based on the Barkan Method Hot Yoga, which comes from a Hot Yoga guru, Jimmy Barkan of Florida, USA. This method is built on many of the poses and philosophies introduced by Bikram Choudhury and Bishnu Ghosh. However, we incorporate different variations designed for the practitioners of all abilities to be able to experience the full benefits of the workout. Our approach is friendly, fun and contemporary; the room is lightly heated, with plenty of fresh air-flow.
Did you say "Bikram"? Will I get yelled at? Absolutely not. Yelling, threats or strict discipline are NOT a part of our teaching method. Your instructor is here to lead, encourage and take care of you. Intimidation and hostility work against our principles.
Why should Yoga be done in a heated room? Heating the room facilitates a deeper release, reduces the chance of injury, and stimulates the circulatory system. For Students who have never practiced Hot Yoga, the heat can be daunting at first, but you will find that this perception quickly changes.
In fact, the heat is something you will look forward to, because it contributes to the overall experience and you will actually be able to feel it help your body.
Also, as you know, Yoga comes from India and that's a really hot country! :)
How often should I practice? There are no set rules for how often to practice. Our Yoga series are an excellent path to physical fitness for busy people because you can realize many benefits from practicing 2 or 3 times a week.
If you are looking to make a real impact on your body in terms of your conditioning, strength, muscle tone or weight-control, you should consider coming 4 or 5 times a week. For a brand new beginner, we recommend that you complete 5 classes in the first 10 days, then we will help you to find a routine that suits your goals. Please remember, that unlike sports and other types of exercise, Yoga does not require day's rest in-between practice sessions.
I can barely touch my toes, will I be able to do all the positions? Like any other form of exercise, you will gradually build the strength and flexibility required to do the postures. When you are starting out, we encourage you to simply do your best. Rest assured that the next time you practice you will notice improvement.
I'm self-conscious about my body. Is doing Yoga postures in a classroom setting among other Students going to make me feel uncomfortable? Probably a little bit, yes. But only for a short time at the beginning, as you will quickly discover that you will be in a state of intense concentration on doing the poses correctly. The same is true for everyone in the room - they will be intently focused on themselves and the instructor's direction. If you prefer to avoid the initial discomfort all together, please ask about the Private Yoga.
What happens during a class? Our classes are 90, 75 and 60 minutes long. Each session is led by an experienced instructor, who is there to help you get the most out of your session. You will likely find students of all ages and levels of experience in your class as the instructor guides you all through the series of poses by giving clear and complete explanations, some demonstration and light/gentle hands-on corrections. You will be working hard, but never pushed in any way beyond your limit. After the class, you will feel satisfied, energized, healthy, and ready to do great things in life.
Is it hard? Yes. Yoga is challenging in many ways; you are learning to aquire a balance of strength, flexibility, concentration and awareness. At the beginning, you will be challenged by the poses simply because you are learning a combination of unfamiliar movements. As you gain experience, you will find that you will want to challenge yourself further and strive toward perfecting each of the exercises.
I have a Yoga video at home. Is your Yoga similar to that? No. The specific sequence of poses in each series, our teaching method, and the environment are unique to our style of Yoga. These factors are very important to the overall experience. Additionally, the presence of an experienced instructor is an invaluable part of your practice because the poses require specific instructions and corrections.
Isn't Yoga chanting, bells and meditation? And what about Yoga philosophy? Chanting and meditation are not a part of our series. In the Hot Yoga Evolution-style, we do not subscribe to any particular dogma or philosophical point of view. We offer a light, contemporary approach that promotes a healthy, conscious lifestyle. However, the balance between flexibility, strength and concentration required in fitness-styles of Yoga can become a very meditative experience. If you'd like help with meditation or more information about Yogic philosophy, please talk to us privately.
I've tried Yoga before and didn't like it. Why should I try your Yoga? The Hot Yoga Evolution is probably unlike any Yoga you've experienced before. Our system builds on thousands of years of knowledge and practice, but is completely modern in nature and designed for today's busy professionals. We understand you want to make the most of your limited time, and our focus is on giving you the most effective, total body experience available in a Yoga practice. Our students tell us they've lost weight, reduced or eliminated chronic pain, and completely changed their lives.
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Student Testimonials: ... I’ve been exposed to a whole new world of hot yoga and I’m so excited to continue this beautiful journey with my new found knowledge and experiences. |
