Bored of your usual exercise routine? Spice it up with Hot Yoga! Yoga has several benefits you may not have been aware of. Not only does it help with weight loss and stress reduction, but it also increases flexibility & energy, improves balance, coordination, concentration, and strength, as well as lowers blood pressure, relieve headaches, and builds stamina. In the same time it takes you to run a few miles on the treadmill and lift some weights, you could do a whole session of hot yoga and reap the benefits of not only weight loss, but much more.
So what exactly is this trendy exercise called Hot Yoga, also known as Bikram Yoga?
“Hot Yoga works the body from the inside out - from the micro to the macro level,” says Betsy Jones-Cooper, owner of Betsy’s Hot Yoga studio. “Physically, it is the perfect blend of strength, flexibility and balance. Mentally, it trains the mind in five key ways: to have faith in one’s self, gain self control, increase determination, improve concentration and build patience.”
Much like regular yoga, Hot Yoga has 26 poses and is performed in a room under humid temperatures, usually 105 degrees Fahrenheit, so as to increase flexibility.
Still interested even with degrees up to 105 degrees Fahrenheit? Good, then check out these local Louisville locations:
Betsy’s Hot Yoga
4414 Shelbyville Rd., Suite 201
Betsy was the first to officially put hot yoga on the map here in Louisville. When she was just 12-years-old she went to her first yoga class. She loved it so much that she continued to attend yoga for years and finally began her Louisville hot yoga following back in 1995. Since, she has grown exponentially with over 6,000, a 500-hour certification in Bikram, and a state-of-the-art studio on Shelbyville Road. Betsy also offers Vinyasa Yoga and is currently training to be an Anusara Inspired Yoga teacher. Betsy’s Hot Yoga offers multiple classes throughout the week at $18/class or packages starting at $80. Visit her
to find a class that fits into your schedule.
Heat Yoga & Wellness
3730 Frankfort Avenue
Starting in October of 2009 by Shawna Spellman, HEAT Yoga & Wellness has a prime location in the historic Vogue Theater. Prep for the class with a little shopping and if you need a refreshment after that intense 105 degree workout, you can head over to the Homemade Ice Cream and Pie Kitchen. Aside from the location, HEAT offers several Hot Yoga classes, with the 26 postures and the 2 breathing exercises. If you’re on a tight schedule, HEAT also offers a 60 minute power hour class for $14. To learn more about Heat Yoga & Wellness and to view their schedule, click
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502 Power Yoga
2210 Dundee Road
If you aren’t feelin’ the 105 degree room, then cool down (only by 20 degrees) at 502 Power Yoga with Cat and Sarah, owners and teachers of the studio. 502 Yoga is the only studio in Kentucky that teaches the Baptiste Method of yoga, which is a physical and mental practice of yoga that transforms the self and encourages participants to achieve their full potential. You can also completely nix the heat and opt for regular yoga in their Intro Series and Basics classes. To learn more about 502 Power Yoga and to view their schedule, click
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Bikram Yoga Louisville
6427 West Hwy 146 Suites 8 & 9
Never been to yoga before? Bikram Yoga in Crestwood is the best spot to be a newbie especially with the $20 one week unlimited intro price. With over 29 90 minute sessions per week, Bikram Yoga offers several packages with everything from 3 months to one year. Kristin, the owner, encourages beginners and advanced athletes to participate and maintain a disciplined and consistent practice of yoga. To check out Bikram Yoga’s schedule, pricing, and a more, click
.
Yoga on Baxter
1611 Eastern Parkway
Another studio for you beginners, Yoga on Baxter, who has won several LEO Readers’ Choice Awards in years past, offers 60 minute classes in 85 degree heat. With 30-40 exercises and 2 breathing exercises, they offer a variety of packages and $5 yoga on Saturdays. Yoga on Baxter is the perfect place (among a few others) for those who are as embarrassed about their yoga skills as I am. To find out more about Yoga on Baxter and to view their schedule, click
.
Namaste.
Image courtesy of Shutterstock.com
