Why the heat?! Why the Hot Yoga?! We are so glad you asked! HYLA is a series of twenty-six postures, two breathing exercises that originated from the original 84 posture, Bishnu Gosh Lineage in Kolkata, West Bengal, India. The average climate in this region is 90 degrees, 80 percent humidity. Historically the sequence is taught in a room with mirrors and a carpeted floor over the course of a ninety minute session. Bikram began teaching his series over 50 years ago, when he first began to travel he noticed he in fact could teach the postures, however there was one implicit component missing: THE HEAT. Backward, forward, and side bending was welcomed in a hot humid environment; this was not the case in a cooler climate as to one could become injured. Bikram became convinced the only effective way to realign the body, to increase circulation, to manipulate one’s fascia tissue was to administer the Bikram Yoga Series in a safely controlled heated environment. As the founder of HOT YOGA, Bikram has pioneered a phenomenon that has become the most popular form of Yoga in the world. You will find many studios now offer a heated yoga classes. It is important these studios observe a SAFE environment. Visit our HEAT page to see how serious this process is received and applied at HYLA. The heat is treated professionally and offered with a clinical commercial focus. Practitioners are lead and guided safely in a sterilized setting where heat and movement can properly heal your body.

You should eat at least three [3] hours prior to class, having food on your stomach is not recommended. If you need to eat, something small: smoothie, piece of fruit, or energy bar. Hydrate and monitor your caffeine intake as the entire Bikram and Yin sequence is manipulating your central nervous system. Give yourself the allowance to arrive ten to fifteen minutes before class and prepare for a full body awakening both mentally and physically.

It’s best to start with a cycling class first. It heats up the body and brings you deeper into the fat burning zone. When our bodies are warm, the muscles stretch more easily. Yoga after cycling continues to build strength. Cycling not only burns 500+ calories per class, it continues to burn up to an additional 150-200 calories per day. Add a yoga class to that fire, and you’re a calorie-burning machine!

It’s always best to check with your doctor first but if you are given the green light to exercise, we can give you modifications that are safe and will make your classes more comfortable for you.