hot yoga

I went to the women's expo in Kalamazoo yesterday, mainly for the yoga demonstrations.  I saw Awake and Aware and Sumits Yoga.  What I got from the Awake and Aware demo was a good reminder to incorporate yoga in small doses into my day.  It doesn't just have to look like a focused time on the mat, but can do done at work at my desk.  I think I might have occasional yoga breaks at work and invite others in our suite to do some stretching with me. We'll see how that goes.

I was very excited to see Sumits Yoga because it is a lot like Bikram Yoga which I fell in love with in Hawaii and LA.  So Summit is literally Bikram's nephew that why the two styles are so related.  In case you were wondering what makes this yoga so unique, well it's because it is in a heated room...around 105 degrees.  Watching the demo yesterday my body was aching to join in.  I am so excited there is now a hot yoga studio in Kalamazoo/Portage.  I found such great benefits from this practice because of the detox that happens when you are so hot and sweaty and the deep stretching and flexibility the heat allows.  I discovered this yoga in Hawaii (although I first heard about it from a friend back in Chicago).  It was the last couple of months that we lived in Kailua and there was studio walking distance from my apartment.  I went 3-4 times a week.  Which I think is important for this type of yoga.  Yes, it did make me naseuous the first time or two, but once you get over that hump it's good.  I am a little nervous for my body to adjust again to this first class since I haven't done hot yoga in almost a year.  But again, it's totally worth it.  It was a great practice for me physically, emotionally and spiritually.  Yoga is my happy place.  I'm glad to have a place to practice hot yoga now in Kalamazoo.  Although I'm not sure how I feel about having music playing during my yoga class...which is something new and unique to Sumits.  I do love music and like to work out to music, but for me yoga is a more meditative experience.  I love the silence to help me focus and I usually choose a mantra for the class that I do in my head.  But I'm willing to give it a try with an open mind.  I probably will like it, but will just need to follow class with my own meditative or spiritual practice as well.  

Sumits offers a great introductory offer of 2 weeks unlimited for $20.  Now I just need to find a good week to start when I have time to go at least 3-4 times a week.  I think it will be soon, maybe in a couple of weeks.

www.sumitsyoga.com