enJOY it

an archived personal and craft blog from Elise Blaha Cripe.

hot yoga.

Hotyoga
I survived my first hot yoga class.

Background : I have done yoga on and off for about seven years (and am currently on like a three year off period) so I am familiar with the poses and flow.

But this was different. Hotter than I expected, for one. I walked in and panicked at the heat. Like really panicked, as in started planning my exit strategy. (We think it was about 104* in the room.)

Once the class got going though, I settled into it and I think my body temperature warmed up so the room didn't feel like it was on the sun. It was a sweat-fest though. I was dripping wet. It was like being in a shower only you couldn't turn the shower off.

Seriously.

This really isn't sounding like an endorsement, but it is! Really! I enjoyed the whole thing from beginning to end and it was a 75 minute class, so longer than I am used to. It was surprisingly relaxing and powerful. If you have done some yoga before and were considering a hot yoga class, I totally recommend it. Just bring lots of water.

My class was at Core Power Yoga. If you are a new student you get a week of unlimited classes for free, which was awesome.

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23 responses to “hot yoga.”

  1. Victoria Klein Avatar
    Victoria Klein

    Congrats on making it through the whole class! I’ve been practicing yoga off & on for 10 years (solidly for the past 2 years). I once took a simple vinyasa class & barely made it through – I couldn’t imagine a room over 100 degrees!

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  2. Sarah Avatar
    Sarah

    Huh. I’ll have to try it sometime when I’m not 9 months pregnant. Which one did you go to? Roscoe Village? I think I’d probably try that one since it’s close to the Paulina brown line stop. Does sound a bit scary, though! Heat = ew. 😉

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  3. holly Avatar
    holly

    yay! love a good hot yoga class. its best to drink lots of water for the whole day prior to your class but not depend on a water bottle during the class. at least thats what my instructors have told me. not to get full on water during the class. also, you wont last if you are hungover or dehydrated in the least! our teacher also said if you leave the classroom mid class, dont come back, your body cant go between the two temps back and forth. it will make you feel more sick! another ringing endorsement 🙂

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  4. elise blaha Avatar
    elise blaha

    hi Sarah! We actually did Lakeview. I am sure they are all very similar … good luck and congrats on the almost baby! elise

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  5. maggi Avatar
    maggi

    i love corepower, we have two here and they just redid both studios in the past year. i have only taken the hot yoga classes, i am addicted.

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  6. creole wisdom Avatar
    creole wisdom

    I’ve been going to Corepower’s hot yoga classes for years (they have several studios in Minneapolis.) It’s the only class I really love. It’s incredible. Glad you enjoyed it!

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  7. Tequila b Avatar
    Tequila b

    I’ve tried it as well and the heat is more than i was used to but i did enjoy the detox effect!

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  8. andrea. Avatar
    andrea.

    i am so excited to try hot yoga. well, after i heal from knee surgery of course.

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  9. Monica Soeldner Avatar
    Monica Soeldner

    I go to Corepower in Denver and really like it! I just tried their “barre” class recently…that was a crazy workout!! I love the C2 classes too!

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  10. Allie Finch Avatar
    Allie Finch

    I recently started going to a Bikram studio & love it. I could never embrace it as my sole yoga practice, but I REALLY enjoy going once (sometimes twice) a week — especially since my husband is digging it too! I’m so happy you enjoyed it!

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  11. Alexandra Avatar
    Alexandra

    Were you very flexible before you tried yoga? I’ve tried a couple of times, but haven’t been impressed–probably because I don’t “bend” very well 😉 I know yoga would probably help that!

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  12. elise blaha Avatar
    elise blaha

    I am very UNflexible. But when I was really good at going to yoga (everyday) it really helped. I could do the splits and put my nose to my knees. I am very far from that now, but Bar is helping to bring it back. 🙂

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  13. April Avatar
    April

    I’ve tried the Bikram yoga and would like to go more regular if I had the time. It certainly gets HOT!! I tend to get a little dizzy also, not sure if its because I’m dehydrated or if I’m moving to quickly in between the moves. It’s hard for me to not talk also, and I had to spite my gum out!

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  14. elise blaha Avatar
    elise blaha

    yeah – I got dizzy at one point and I think it was because I went from laying down to standing too quickly. I am sure extra hydration would help too!!

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  15. Kat Avatar
    Kat

    Elise – try Bikram Kearny Mesa – I’ve been going for a couple years and LOVE it – it’s 90 min but so good on the off-days from running. I also love it cuz it forces me to drink tons of water throughout the day for fear of getting dizzy! Also love it cuz it’s so challenging – there is always room for improvement no matter how good you get.

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  16. sheila Avatar
    sheila

    I loved Bikram when i tried it… plan to go back this fall and get my husband to try it… I did it last winter… However, I could not imagine doing Bikram in the summer when I walk out of the studio in to 95 degrees… It was awesome to walk outside in winter and watch the steam come off your body.. I also really feel like I was WAY more bendy because of the heat… My 1st class the tell you to try and stay in the room for the entire time… even if you just sit and not partake, just to get acclimated to the heat.

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  17. jhoysi Avatar
    jhoysi

    Interesting – I always love to hear about other people’s (positive) experiences with Hot Yoga! I tried Bikram twice and…it’s not for me. I found the instructors to be strict to the point of militant, my body temperature never became accustomed to the heat in the room (I think ours was 115 degrees), and I would go home and have the chills for hours afterwards. But then, I tend to be dehydrated regardless of how much water I drink, so my body may just not be built for it.

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  18. Alexandra Avatar
    Alexandra

    Good to know 🙂 I might have to give it another try! Thanks for the encouragement!!

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  19. Caroline Avatar
    Caroline

    My brother is obsessed with hot yoga and goes everyday. He has lost 30 pounds. Amazing.

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  20. Annelise Kliewer Avatar
    Annelise Kliewer

    awesome! sounds very intimidating, but a great workout! my cousin just moved to Chi…so i sent her this link! 🙂

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  21. Karen Avatar
    Karen

    That is awesome! I really want to get into yoga since I have started running; I’ve heard that it is really good for stretching- since with running you use the same muscles over and over, they are bound to get tight! Anyway, I think I will start with yoga before trying hot yoga!

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  22. Jane Avatar
    Jane

    I love CorePower. There are about a million yoga places in my town (Boulder = yoga central) but CorePower is consistently the best workout for me. I haven’t dared to do the hot yoga yet though, even the regular “warm” classes (with temps in the high 80s) leave me absolutely drenched in sweat!

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  23. Ksj700ksj.wordpress.com Avatar
    Ksj700ksj.wordpress.com

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