Last night I tried “hot yoga”. The style is based on Bikram’s 26 poses that are done in a heated room, & repeated, for about 90mins. (Our class went “over” which, as you know, was FINE by me. More workout bang for the buck!)
There are people that SWEAR by “hot yoga”. Famous people too - like Jenny McCarthy, Victoria Secret swimsuit models…blahblahblah HERE IS A LINK
[Madonna is or was a fan. Allegedly, she does Ashtanga yoga now--which is what my primary practice is.]
Therefore, going into this class I was thinking, “first series in Ashtanga is about the same then but we don’t repeat the poses except those that are done on the right leg, are then done on the left…wait a sec! Ugh oh!…”
Not really. Ashtanga does have more poses (if one were to count which would really be un-yogi-like but: 5 reps each of 2 different sun salutations [=10] plus 48 poses then a finishing series of poses with a headstand… so 60+…). But I didn’t know that at the time.
After having done both styles, Ashtanga has more poses and moves faster. Hot yoga holds the poses for a longer period of time and doesn’t do vinyasas in between each (<- you know, the plank to down dog series).
Hot yoga is more easily able to accommodate “newbies” and doing modifications is acceptable. There is no need to feel intimidated.
I really liked the stretches. I hated the balance work but that’s because I suck at balance.
I REALLY liked the heat; my body temperature runs very low (thanks to previous attempts at extreme dieting, etc) and I’m always cold. (If my temp reads 98.6 - I have a fever!) Make sure you find a studio that practices good hygiene and sanitizes the air; this one used a UV filtration system. Head to the back of the class so that you can watch the person ahead of you. Bring towels!
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HOT YOGA PRO’s: if you like heat; if you like low-impact bodywork & prolonged stretches; if you want to work on your balance & focus; it’s acceptable to bring water to drink during class; and there is more of an emphasis on the “core“.
HOT YOGA CON’s: Not enough bodyweight exercises or arm toning; lots of standing balance work that can be difficult on your ankles; and there is a high probability of someone’s sweat landing near you or your mat.
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Ashtanga style yoga is based on a series of poses too…depending on the “series” that you are doing (most US studios do “1st series”). It is a combination of “power” yoga and “hot” yoga.
Here are my ASHTANGA PRO’s: the room will get hot; you will not feel the need to do (additional) weightlifting or gym exercises with regular practice; no mirrors; and there is more of an emphasis on breath.
and CON’s: some of the moves are tricky (so there is a *danger* factor to those of us over 30); most everyone I know that has been practicing for a number of years has shoulder issues (-just sayin’…); it’s not acceptable to bring in water; & in fact, there are no “breaks” in an Ashtanga class- you are “working” for a straight 90mins, (The latter is actually a PRO, to me.); and like in “hot” yoga, there is a high probability of some stranger’s sweat landing on you as well as hearing/smelling random flatulence.
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Would I go back to try HOT YOGA? Yes
Bottom line: It is best to change up your workouts every 4-8 weeks, chicks. Not every style of yoga (or workout!) will effectively target/stretch/strengthen all your muscles– Or your mind, for that matter. Another PRO for trying out new classes of yoga regardless of the style is that it challenges you! It provides a manner or escape in which, for at least 90 mins, you are not listening to the chatter in your head - you are just trying to follow the yoga!
Tags: ashtanga yoga, core exercises, fashion blog, fit chick, fitness blog, fitness over 30, fitness over 40, hot yoga, interval workout, lean muscles, womens exercise, yoga, yoga blog, yoga fitness, yoga poses, yoga workout
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