As I mentioned in my previous post, I was anxious to get into some hot yoga; both as a reprieve from the cold and as a measure to keep me more balanced/healthy. I went and found this studio, and let me tell you- I couldn't be happier. I've been going to hot yoga daily for the past 3 days, and though it hasn't been that long... I feel so good about it. I fully intend to commit to a daily practice for at least a month...
Here is a well written article from The Globe & Mail about some tips if you are planning on practicing hot yoga. I always bring in a huge bottle of water with me to class, and make sure that I'm really paying attention to my body.
Taking in hot yoga classes really allows me to just focus on that moment, with no other distractions. I may come into the class with daily stress from work, insecurities about my body, or something else that's really bugging me... But when I step into that heat, I find it near impossible to focus on anything but my breathing and stretching into the poses.
No one else is looking around, we're all literally becoming puddles of sweat together- so there is no sense of embarrassment or judgment. I find peace in coming to class "exactly as I am", no matter what kind of place I'm in that day. Sometimes I really push myself, and find that I can go further than ever in a pose; sometimes it seems that I barely make it through the class. No matter what though, I always leave feeling more "whole", loving myself for who I am, and happy in my practice.
I'm really enjoying hot yoga, for the escape it provides from the gross Alberta winters. This morning it was -25 (without the windchill). I definitely am looking forward to getting into other yoga classes in the spring, but I think hot yoga it will be for now.
So in however you are finding joy this winter, I wish you peace and good thoughts.
And to my fellow hot yoga goer's, sweat on sweet readers...sweat on.
xo Heidi
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