"A woman and her sled dog walk into a bar..."

"A woman and her yoga mat walk into a studio..." One woman's experience of heat and healing by Jo Baron

It is March 2013; the woman had recently moved from North of 60, AK. 

Almost immediately, pounds began packing on at record pace.  All too soon, she was buying clothes of the XXL variety and way into the double digits in order to accommodate her inflated spare-tire middle. She needed a special shop to be fitted for larger bras... an alarming 42HH! Her cup size was now larger than her head! (in case you're wondering, there are no sexy bras in this size. Not even a color choice. You get solid beige, double durable, bullet-proof, side-by-side hammocks.)  Yikes.

Was it too much junk food on the 28-day drive? Warmer climate? (yes, cold weather burns calories.)  A HUGE decrease in her level of actvity?  Middle-age catching up to her?  All of the above? Never too fond of Western medicine (that's a whole 'nother story), she reluctantly stopped into a clinic for routine bloodwork... just in case. 

Now, genetics are not on her side.  Her family health history is an abomination.  She's predisposed to everything bad under the sun and she is smart enough to know that obesity needs to be kept at bay. 

A couple days later, the results are in:

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Forever young; For now, hot yoga

We are a youth-worshipping culture.

Remember that Dannon TV commercial about a village of yogurt-eating Russian peasants who averaged 110 years old? And Jack LaLanne who lived well into his nineties and looked at least thirty years younger? I remember his TV show and honestly, he was the only man at any age who looked good in a leotard.

Anyone who can wear a leotard well at 90 has something to teach us.

We fear aging, even while we admire longevity.  Last year I did yoga in Times Square with a 90 year old yogini whose twirling red skirt revealed Barbie-doll moveable limbs; nothing to fear there!

Because it's not aging we fear; it's a loss of freedom.  A stiff and inflexible body seems to portend an inevitable loss of independence. 

But being young is as much about a flexible mind.

Feeling young is about feeling all the possibilities. Your body can move you forward if you take the lead with an open heart and a changeable mind. 

Sure, hot yoga helps. Now, while you're opening the spaces between your joints,  open yourself to new ideas around you at all times. There's never a better time to notice than during a particularly challenging hot yoga pose; breathe, relax and appreciate your age. Stop complaining. The breakthrough comes when you enjoy. The moment you switch from struggle to fun - in hot yoga and in any challenging situation - you'll see your posture straighten, your shoulders drop and your outlook lift.

And your face will look ten years younger.

Maybe you'll even smile as you notice that hey, you look pretty good in your hot yoga gear... for any age.

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30 Healthy, Happy and Wise hot yoga tips

Hot yogi and teacher Jaime Cahalan combined a 30 Day Challenge with green smoothies and raw foods.

The result was POW! A real one-two health punch, times 30.

Jaime is a graduate of the Integrative Nutrition Institute and she has worked with Brad's Raw Foods for years, often leading raw foods cleanses. She knows her diet stuff. Many of us want to know what you get by combining hot yoga with healthy eating - especially as we head into the holidays - so now is a good time to revisit Jaime's wisdom. . 

30 Things I Learned on My 30 Day Hot Yoga Challenge

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Hot Yoga Superheroes

Everyone says this but for us, it's true: we have superheroes at Riverflow Yoga.

They never say "can't."

Take Marguerite Hellwich, for example; not only is she an avid hot yogi, an active contributor to  our online yoga discussions, she is also part of our Riverflow Hot Yoga Warrior Teacher Training...all while she is on military deployment in Afghanistan.

Ask any of our teachers: Riverflow Hot Yoga Warrior Teacher Training is a challenge.

Now imagine doing it from a war zone; talk about dancing backwards, in heels! Here's how all you superheroes at Riverflow Yoga are supporting her.

One of the unique aspects of Riverflow Hot Yoga Warrior Teacher Training is our Accountability Partners; your personal coach through the finish line.

I am Marguerite's Accountabilty Partner and I must tell you; it's humbling.

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What happens after 90 days of hot yoga? PARTY!

Melina didn't commit to 90 consecutive days of hot yoga...at first.

Her spirit was bright from Day 1: her big warm smile was her calling card and her final farewell after each  class. Every hot yoga teacher looked forward to her presence.

After Melina's 30 Day Challenge, she felt the call of a new beginning: how about 45 days? Forty-five is another hot yoga milemarker. As her 45 day finish line whizzed by, Melina saw her new horizon at 60 days,  another hot yoga milestone.

Then came inspiration to journey on; something about 90 days of hot yoga felt complete. Truth is, Melina's hot yoga transformation began even before her 30 Day Challenge kicked off. For years, she had suffered with symptoms and effects of undiagnosed mercury poisoning; then, even after diagnosis, the cures were complicated and without much relief.

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