The biggest question on anyone’s mind before they try hot yoga is why, for the love of God, why does it have to be so hot?
First, we need to discuss the type of heat. Most people are thinking of hot, dry air coming from a furnace bringing dizziness and nausea at the mere thought. It couldn’t be more opposite. We use healthy, radiant heat not unlike the sun, since it radiates heat to objects rather than heating the air.
Think of stepping onto a sunny sidewalk from under the cool shade of a tree and the warmth that sweeps over sections of your body sepa- rately and simultaneously. Radiating heat creates uniform heat distribution, unlike forced air, and in turn, each object receiving heat emits it outwards again where the air actually remains cool. Radiant is instant and total warmth; soothing & cozy.
With warm muscles you have the ability to stretch further without over-stretching, lengthen muscles, build strength and endurance, improve posture and tone.
Were you aware your toes could drip with sweat? Yes, it is hot. Once you stop thinking about the heat to focus on your practice something amazing happens. You actually forget about the heat.
The heat provides mental challenge with great benefit. Once you accept the fact you are in a room heated to a temperature even Libya would render heat warnings to, and choose to stay there volun- tarily to….. exercise; you are developing mental strength.
The practice is complete, you feel great accomplish- ment and lighter like you shed something unwanted, unneeded. You feel washed & rinsed. Looking back on your mat you expect to see the residue you left behind and yet when you look, it isn’t there.
It was heavy while you carried it then simply van- ished into thin air.
This is where hot yoga becomes a metaphor for life.
There will always be life challenges.
Stop giving mental energy to them.
Refocus on your task until you have forgotten about the ‘problem’ you began with.
Keep your focus. Keep your goal.
Now build from that.
Keep going. Keep refocusing.
You are cultivating patience, confidence, determi- nation, conviction, relieving stress and changing your general outlook on life. You are mentally stronger.
Any time you want change in your life it requires change in your mind first.
In order to change your mind you must strengthen it.
Strengthening your mind takes practice and chal- lenge. And refocus. And refocus again.
Everyday is a new set of challenges and everyday offers new awareness.
There will always be a bitch pose. Wait…… is that a metaphor?
Read more from Michelle online at kindersleysocial.ca/webarchive/michele-heath or visit thehotroom.ca
