Feel the heat at Lala Hot Yoga in Stuart, Florida
Can you imagine walking outside into our South Florida summer heat of 90 degrees and having it cool you off?
Twice a week I enjoy that feeling after attending class at Lala Hot Yoga, here in Stuart.
What is Hot Yoga, you might be wondering? And, why would anyone want to do something that combines the words “hot” and “yoga,” especially while living in South Florida? Especially in the summer?
Hot yoga is yoga that is based on a series of 26 postures and two breathing exercises designed to strengthen, tone and flush every system in the body, creating maximum health benefits and improving overall vitality.
During class, the room is heated to 105 degrees.
Why so hot, you might ask? The heat makes hot yoga much more detoxifying than traditional yoga because you're sweating so much. Plus, the heat allows you to go deeper into the stretches, increasing your flexibility.
I’d like to tell you why this form of exercise is a good fit for me and why it might be a good fit for you.
Hot yoga increases my confidence
Before I actually took a class, when I was just thinking about going, I had no idea what to expect. Would I be totally intimidated? Would the people at the yoga studio be snotty or performing at such a high level that there was no way I could fit in?
I knew my hair stylist and friend Patty Loveland was doing hot yoga, so I asked her where she went, and it happened to be the same yoga studio I had heard about at a health seminar.
I texted Patty: “I’m scared to go. What if I faint? Or I’m not good at it or I’m too weak and everyone laughs at me.”
She “laughed” at my text and told me to just try it if I want.
The things I was worried about did not happen.
After almost three months of hot yoga twice a week, besides actually surviving, I am stronger and more flexible, plus I can do postures I would have never thought I could do when I first saw them. Strength and flexibility are important for all of us as we get older, and as a family portrait photographer in Stuart, Florida, I am focused on keeping my body in great shape so I can get the best angles when I’m creating portraits for my clients.
Getting out of my comfort zone and bravely trying hot yoga has helped me feel more confident because I'm doing things I didn't know I would ever be able to do. Read more about that in this blog post about the benefits of getting out of your comfort zone, by Michael Hyatt.
Owner Katie Carroll makes sure Lala Hot Yoga is shame-free and self-paced
The main teacher and business owner Katie Carroll is calm and reassuring.
I don’t know about you, but I have flashbacks to group exercise classes from the past–aerobics back in the 90s. Back then, I felt like a klutz compared to most of the people in the classes because I could not keep up with the fancy footwork that kept changing. I would leave those classes feeling frustrated, wondering why it seemed like everyone else in the class could do it well, but I couldn't.
With yoga, I have learned that we are all different in our strengths and weaknesses. I can do some postures that other people can't do as well. And other people can do postures that I can't do as well.
As Katie says, do what feels right for your body, today. And as you keep practicing, you will slowly increase your ability.
I have learned that if I'm feeling out of breath or like I just need a break, I can rest, catch my breath and let my heart rate slow down.
Knowing what to expect makes it enjoyable for me
There are 26 specific postures, in a certain order. I know what to expect. There’s no fancy footwork to keep up with.
I find that I like being told what to do, which is contrary to my normal approach to life, where I absolutely don’t like being told what to do. (Ask my husband.)
However, in class I do have veto power all the way through. Listening to my body and how I’m feeling that day is a big part of the practice. I might not hold a posture for as long or stretch as far on a particular day, and that’s okay.
Rest is built into Hot Yoga
Resting is an important part of Hot Yoga. Taking a few moments to breathe between postures is built into class. During the floor exercises, we literally lay there resting for 10, or even 30 seconds between postures. This pose is called Savasana, which means corpse pose. It’s total relaxation.
Sweating in hot yoga makes Stuart, Florida summer weather feel refreshing!
Me, after a class at Lala Hot Yoga. Super sweaty!
I have learned that I am a very sweaty person. My face sweats, my scalp sweats, my arms sweat, everything about me sweats. It's hot in there–105 degrees. When I leave, all of my clothes are soaked with sweat.
After class, walking outside into Stuart, Florida’s 90 degree summer weather feels refreshing. Even though I'm very sweaty and tired, I feel exhilarated and relaxed at the same time.
Whatever I did in class that day, I end up feeling better about myself and I look forward to coming back again.
Would you like to try hot yoga on the Treasure Coast?
Hot Yoga is deeply therapeutic and designed for all levels of practitioners!
So, how about you? Does this sound like something you might like to try?
Resources:
Here’s a list of the classes offered at Lala Hot Yoga.
Here’s more detailed information about Hot Yoga from this page on the Lala Hot Yoga website.
This Healthline article goes into more details about the benefits of hot yoga.
If you want a walk down memory lane, here’s a post that gathers many vintage 80’s and 90’s workouts. It’s fun to see them again! I actually did the Cindy Crawford workout recently–I used to have the video tape, LOL. It’s still a good one–no fancy footwork involved!
If so, head over to the Lala Hot Yoga website and tell Katie you heard about Hot Yoga from photographer Diane Dultmeier, and she is happy to offer you a complimentary class!
Thinking about family portraits in Stuart, Florida?
Even though this article is about hot yoga, and I am just a beginner in practicing yoga, I am an expert at portrait photography. I have been creating beautiful family portraits for 20+ years in Stuart, Florida and beyond. My photography artwork hangs in homes all over the Treasure Coast. If you would like to learn more about how I can create portraits for you, head over to the home page of the Dultmeier Photography website.
I would love to create something special for you! Just fill out this form and we can connect.
For 20+ years as a family portrait specialist on Florida’s Treasure Coast, I have been known for relaxed portrait sessions at locations around Stuart, Palm City, Hutchinson Island, Hobe Sound, Fort Pierce, Vero Beach and all areas in between. I am not like most photographers these days because I believe your family deserves to be celebrated each day, as part of your home decor. When you work with me, we will collaborate in creating Fine Art Portraits of your family, which will live on your walls or in a custom-designed album or folio box and be remembered as one of the best investments you have ever made. In addition to creating portraits for families, I create headshots and personal branding images for business use. To learn more, go the the Dultmeier Photography homepage.