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Awkward
Utkatasana |
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This is a three part pose that builds concentration and determination.
Helps align the entire skeletal system and opens the pelvic area. Strengthens inner thighs, quadriceps and deltoids. Strengthens and firms upper arms, abdominal muscles and all muscles of thighs, calves and hips.
Increases circulation in the knees and ankle joints. Improves joint pain, sciatica and arthritis of the knees. Relieves rheumatism, arthritis and gout in the legs. Awkward also aids in digestion, helps combat obesity, and correct immune disorders. |
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DECEMBER 2007
The holidays are officially upon us. For many of us, the colder weather makes it easier to motivate to come to hot yoga class more frequently. So even with our busy schedules, and all the seasonal eating and drinking, this is a great time to stay focused on our hot yoga practice, and continue to put aside time for classes -- and more importantly, for YOU!
Below, please note the schedule changes for Christmas week as well as New Year's.
All of us at HB Hot Yoga wish you and your loved ones a happy, healthy holiday season.
Namaste,
Jason Wilkerson |
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Studio Updates |
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Beginning January 1st:
- Yearly membership rate will increase to $79 per month for all new memberships only
- Towel rentals will cost $2 per towel
Beginning January 7th:
- 8:30pm classes will be held Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday evenings
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Holiday Schedule |
Monday, December 24 (Christmas eve)
8am and 10am classes only
Tuesday, December 25 (Christmas day)
9am class only
Wednesday-Friday, December 26-28
9am, 4:30pm and 6:30pm classes only
Saturday-Sunday, December 29-30
8am, 10am and 4:30pm classes will be held as normal
Monday, December 31 (New Year's eve)
8am and 10am classes only
Tuesday, January 1 (New Year's day)
9am and 4:30pm classes only
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Student of the Month |
Our December Student of the Month is Carol De La Torre!
- When did you start practicing hot yoga?
Carol started coming to HB Hot Yoga in October 2005. Her best friend, Erica Schwartz heard about hot yoga, and told Carol they needed to start going. At the time, Carol used to do weights and an hour on the stair climber at the gym every day. But she stopped her gym routine immediately upon starting hot yoga.
- How often do you practice?
Carol practices hot yoga 6 days per week.
- Why do you practice? What are the primary benefits you experience?
"I am madly in love with yoga, and I feel that it's changed my life. I really can't wait to get there every day," Carol says. She enjoys the other students, and also talks about her "personal journey" in yoga: "day-by-day, my practice changes." When she used to work out at the gym, even though she was strong, she felt out of balance, like she was over-using some parts of her body. With yoga, she now feels stronger, more flexible, healthy, and more centered. Carol used to have a lot of back pain. She says that camel is actually one of her favorite postures, because it's helped her back so much.
- How has your hot yoga practice impacted or changed your life?
"I think it has profoundly changed everything about my life," Carol says. "It has changed me. It has changed my view of others, made me more accepting, and enjoy the differences in others more." Carol looks forward to being at the studio each day, and she feels great when she leaves. |
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Frequently Asked Questions |
How can I work on the meditational aspect of my hot yoga practice? Why is this important?
In addition to all the physical benefits, our hot yoga practice also provides us numerous mental and psychological benefits. These benefits include improved self-acceptance, self-confidence, concentration, memory, and attention (or ability to focus). We are also able to strengthen our emotional systems. All of these benefits can be realized as we eventually move beyond focusing on the physical benefits of the practice, and increase our focus on the meditational side of the practice.
There are many ways to improve the meditational side of your hot yoga practice:
- Work on keeping your mind still at all times. Focus on the teacher's instruction -- and nothing else -- for each posture and savasana. Don't think about work, family, friends, or even pain. Don't judge your body or compare yourself to others in class. In most postures, your eyes should be on your own eyes or forehead in the front mirror (during the standing series), or on one spot on the ceiling (during the floor series). Letting your eyes wander makes you more prone to let your mind wander. It also detracts from your ability to hold a posture, with all appropriate muscles engaged, for the full length of time instructed
- Get more out of savasanas! Savasanas are approximately 10 seconds long, or just enough time to take 2-3 long breaths into the belly. Don't waste this time fixing your hair or clothes, wiping sweat, or re-arranging your towel. Just be still -- mind and body. Ten seconds is a short amount of time, but it's just enough to normalize your breath and heart rate, to recuperate from the previous posture and prepare for the next. That's why the series was designed with a savasana between each posture. Use each savasana wisely, and you'll quickly notice how they give you more energy, and help you progress in your postures faster
Once you're able to improve the meditational side of your hot yoga practice, you'll reap the mental and psychological benefits mentioned above. And you'll find it easier to bring that mental stillness and sense of calm into your life outside of the studio, in stressful or difficult situations. |
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