Is hot yoga too rigid to make you flexible?

"Is it boring to do the same 26 poses every hot yoga class?"

Er...no. Waking up every morning isn't boring. Everytime you do it, it's another fresh start.

"What about how every teacher uses the same words to explain the poses - what's up with that?"

We do it to hypnotize you. We do it to brainwash you. We do it to control you.

Yes, really.

We do it because we're afraid that maybe you're already hypnotized. You're already too rigid. We want hot yoga to wake you up and stretch your...life. Here's what we mean.

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Retracing the Roots of a Hot Yoga Reaction

Retracements are temporary symptoms that occur during a deep healing regimen, like say, for instance, hot yoga.

Are you familiar with the healing phenomenon known as Retracement?  It means that during a deep healing, your body may literally choose to retrace/ go back/ relive those old infections, wounds, injuries, or other imbalances from the past, in order to clear them out fully this time around. 

Retracing can be about eliminating toxic substances, healing chronic infections, or clearing out old emotional wounds. It results in a metabolic increase in vitality.

But you know what they say: the truth shall set you free, but first it shall piss you off. And hot yoga can piss you off big-time. Here's why:

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How was your hot yoga class today?

Everyone has a day they love to remember in hot yoga...and a hot yoga class or two we'd like to forget.

Here is one of my favorite posts, from our own Jill Studnicki. Read, laugh, and come to hot yoga!

My attitude at hot yoga stunk today.  I was worried about job stuff, rushed to get to class because the line to buy Q-tips was too long, and it was an afternoon hot yoga class so my body was already tired. 

I struggled.  I sat out a couple of (okay, a few) poses.  My head wasn't in the game.  It was basically a 90-minute pity party.  Usually I'm pretty good about letting things go once I step into the room, but today I was a mess. 

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Three Ways To Lock In The Benefits of Hot Yoga

"Lock your arms! Lock your leg! Lock your knee or the pose hasn't even started!"

You hear the word "lock" a lot in hot yoga. Here are the many variations you may have heard for 90 minutes straight:

"Squeeze your biceps behind your ears like they're holding your head onto your neck."

"Lock your thigh muscle; pull it up off your kneecap. Look for the dimple above your knee in the mirror."

"Make your standing leg like a tree-trunk, a lamppost. Lock your knee!"

Here's why you will hear that over and over again: 

The lock is the key to getting all the benefits of hot yoga.

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Why it takes a community to do hot yoga

I got a shy call today from a woman who timidly inquired if hot yoga is OK for an inflexible, out of shape, overstressed Mom. She asked which hot yoga classes are best for beginners, the least crowded.

My answer: hot yoga was made the inflexible, overstressed, embarrassed and overwhelmed. Come to hot yoga, and come home

This is more than a hot yoga class; this is a warm, welcoming hot yoga community... and that makes all the difference.

Because sometimes it takes a community to transform your life.

When was the last time someone was truly excited to see you walk through the door? At Riverflow, we know how much it takes to take the time to take care of yourself. So just come in, and we'll take it from there. Get ready to unload your struggles, your stuck places, your need for support right here in hot yoga.

It's not just our heat that softens you. 

It's how other Riverflow students welcome you, with stories of their First Time In Hot Yoga. Or smile encouragingly as you bravely attempt each of the hot yoga poses. Strangers-no-more will tell you proud they are of you, what an accomplishment it was just staying in the hot room for the full 90 minutes.

Instant Community, just add sweat.