What’s the big deal about 40 days of stretching in a hot room? It doesn’t sound like a big deal right? Wrong! As a Kinesiology professional, I have always been passionate about my personal health & fitness. I have participated in a variety of workout challenges from boxing, running, kettle bell training and weightlifting. This has been one of the most challenging workouts I have ever done. As a New Year challenge I began a 40-day hot yoga routine. This particular hot yoga is Vinyasa Power Yoga, which is 75 minutes long, in a heated room of 95 degrees, and focuses on continuous flow and movement from one powerful pose to another. Power yoga is much more challenging than stretching because it combines cardiovascular, flexibility, and strength benefits and staying hydrated is really the only danger that you face.
I have experienced some ups and downs this last week as I reached my 20 day mark. My body was so sore one morning that I found myself thinking bad thoughts about my instructor as she continuously pushed us through a flow of torturous poses. I walked out of there feeling like I had just maxed out in squat! As I thought about crawling up the stairs to my apartment, I realized that I felt equally amazing and miserable at the same time. It was an intoxicating feeling and the positive changes have far outweighed the challenges. I have lost three pounds and can feel and see my body getting tighter, leaner, and stronger. My energy has increased dramatically throughout the day and I have also found myself requiring less sleep to feel well rested. I have subconsciously found myself being more aware of what I am eating and making my choices based on nutrition rather than cravings. I feel much more at ease and relaxed in frustrating situations like deadlines, traffic, and challenging people. I didn’t expect yoga to physically and mentally change me this fast so I can’t wait to see how the next 20 days turn out. Please check back February 15th to see if I resort to the evil eye for my instructor or give her a big nice smile instead!!!
Wow! I want to try the Hot Yoga Challenge! Keep us updated on your progress!!!
ReplyDeleteIf you get the opportunity I highly recommend it!
ReplyDeleteThis blog really caught my attention! I tried yoga for the first time last year and really liked it. I definitely want to know your results and where I can sign up for one of these challenges. Great blog!
ReplyDeleteI am glad you wrote about this! Yoga is one of my favorite things to do. Is this the same thing as Bikram Yoga? If so, I have been wanting to try this for a long time now, but unfortunately Stephenville does not offer this (that I know of). If I have had a rough day I usually throw a yoga routine into my workout, and I feel so much better. I can only imagine how much stronger and more relaxed I would after doing this for 40 days! I am excited to hear how you feel on day 40. Keep up the good work!
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DeleteBikram is amazing as well, it's in a hotter room and does not use vinyasa flow for the poses but has amazing benefits as well!
DeleteI love the thought of implementing yoga into my workouts for my throwers. I keep trying to stress to them that they need to be stretching every chance they get. When you break the technique down in each throwing event, it takes a lot of flexibility to perform the movements and be successful. When I was an athlete I always had trouble with my flexibility. One of my old high school coaches suggested yoga, after two weeks I could noticeably tell I was more flexible and my throwing improved. You can call it a coincidence but I give my credit to my basic yoga video that I did 3 times a week. The 40 day hot yoga challenge may be a bit much for my athletes since they are already on a weight program and going through practice, but I wouldn’t mind doing the challenge personally and getting ideas for future practices.
ReplyDeleteThat's awesome Elizabeth! I have read many things about athletes incorporating yoga into their off season workouts and I plan to do some research on this particular subject for a blog in the future. Stretching is amazing for athletes. My roommate plays soccer, lifts weight, and does crossfit and after 10 days of hot yoga she said her strength and endurance increased tremendously!
DeleteYoga is beneficial in many different ways as you have stated. I am really intrigued to try Hot Yoga one of these days. I have heard of stories of men going to a Hot Yoga session and losing upwards of 10 pounds in a single session. It’s mostly all water weight, but it shows that heavy weights and cardio aren’t the only way to loose unsightly pounds. I think the added heat makes it easier for individuals to become flexible for the poses also. It’s not something I think someone should do every day due to the water loss in the body, but it most definitely makes for a change up in the normal routine of the average gym goer.
ReplyDeleteCody, it's very important to stay hydrated when you do hot yoga. I've seen many men in the classes I attend, ranging from TCU athletes to men of all ages. I am not sure how much water weight you could lose but the heat also helps to flush toxins out while allowing you a deeper stretch. Yoga is amazing and if you every want to try a class I highly recommend it!
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