Hot Yoga Archives - Page 2 of 3 - Fever

Why do I sweat so much in hot yoga?

Have you ever thought to yourself mid-class: “Nobody could possibly sweat more than me right now”? Or, on the flip side, have you ever left your hot yoga class without a drop on your body wondering why everyone else is so much sweatier? We’ve ALL been there.

Everyone’s body works differently, so you’re not wrong if you fall in either camp – or somewhere in between.

Sweating is the body’s natural way of cooling down, so never be embarrassed by the state of your shirt after an intense hot yoga class. And, just because you’re sweating buckets doesn’t mean you’ve worked harder than your classmates.

Each one of us has between 2-4 million sweat glands on our bodies. Women have more sweat glands than men, but men’s bodies generally are more active.

Other contributing factors include:

The number of sweat glands you have
How hot the temperature is
How intensely you’re exercising
Genetic predisposition
Bodyweight
Amount of water consumed
Level of anxiety at the moment

While it might seem kind of backwards, the fact that you sweat a lot during a hot yoga workout actually signals that you’re in good shape! Physically fit people start sweating at lower temperatures, which allows them to perform longer since their body isn’t overheating.

How to stay safe in a hot yoga studio

Whether your body marinates in sweat or simply glistens gently, there are a handful of tactics you can employ to keep yourself safe in our hot yoga studio.

Drink cold water every 15 minutes or so to keep your core temperature out of the danger zone.

Consume an electrolyte-spiked sports drink after class to replenish the sodium and potassium you’re sweating out.

If you feel dizzy, nauseated, or develop a headache, either rest in child’s pose or leave the studio to get some cool air.

To cool down quickly after practice, avoid taking a frigid shower or splashing icy water on your face. The chilly temperature will constrict your blood vessels, causing hot blood to rush to your core. Rather, take a cool shower and stand in front of a fan to evaporate lingering sweat.

When you should talk to your doctor

If you’re truly sweating uncontrollably, you may want to ask your doctor about a medical condition called hyperhidrosis. Hyperhidrosis, a condition where your sweating exceeds the amount your body needs to cool off, affects approximately 2-3% of Americans and should be treated by your doctor.

On the other hand, if you can’t sweat, you may want to look into anhidrosis (or hypohidrosis). While not sweating might seem like a blessing to some of us, this condition puts people at higher risk of heatstroke and they must be wary of exercising in high temperatures.

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Remember, everyone perspires in their own way, so never be ashamed of your sweat stains. Just grab a towel before class and get to work on your mat!

Is Yoga just for Women?

In short, no.

One of the most prevalent yoga myths is that yoga is only for women. This is honestly one of the craziest myths – especially considering that ancient yoga was a male-dominated practice. It was created for 14-year-old boys people!! Women were not even able to practice it. Now that being said, the West has changed yoga in a plethora of ways; some may say it better, some may say it has lost its way.

I digress…

Why do men believe this idea that yoga is just for women? I don’t know, maybe it has something to do with mainstream media highlighting women in fancy yoga poses. I see why men have the idea it must be for skinny young chics but come on, we know what you see in social media is not reality.

A few other reasons they may have not boarded the yoga train: yoga isn’t a good enough workout for men; it’s too touchy-feely; you have to be flexible beforehand, and men’s bodies aren’t naturally built for these poses.

Let me make this very clear: yoga offers a tremendous array of benefits for everyone. That certainly includes our dudes.

Unfortunately, this myth leads to a disappointing statistic: of the 20 million Americans who practice yoga, less than 18% of them are men. At Fever YCS we have plenty of men who show up on their mats day after day. But if you’ve never given it a try, I urge you to read on to discover the many benefits of overcoming this myth. Then, pop in to try your first yoga class!

3 Great Reasons to Give Yoga a Try

Yoga extends your muscles’ range of motion: Men typically target a select group of muscles at the gym, including hamstrings, glutes, abs, and shoulders. However, these muscles can only be trained so far. And, when exercised too heavily, they can become injured. However, yoga uses your natural body weight and resistance to build lean muscle mass, which improves blood flow and helps your muscles recover faster. I highly recommend complementing your gym exercises with a regular yoga practice.

Yoga provides a full spectrum of health: Unlike most male fitness regimes, yoga views health as more than visible muscle strength. And that’s because yoga strengthens more than just the physical body. It also teaches you to calm your mind and open your heart, leading to pain-free movement, increased flexibility, and decreased symptoms of anxiety, depression, and rage.

Yoga melts away your damaging competitive spirit: While this is certainly common in women too, men are often especially haunted by an intense spirit of competition. Yoga teaches you to keep your eyes – and focus – on your own mat. All that is asked of you is that you show up willing to respect the needs of your body, knowing that your worth has nothing to do with the person next to you.

Tips for Men Starting Yoga

Don’t force the movement: Many men have a gift of strength, but a tendency to work their body too hard, ignoring pain and discomfort. When you step on your mat, I encourage you to identify the difference between sensation and pain, learning when to modify to protect your body.

Focus on what’s working: You may not feel comfortable in certain poses, but powerful and masterful in others. Know that yoga is a practice where you have permission to take what you need. There will be no drill Sargent barking orders or requiring you to do anything you’re uncomfortable with!

Set aside your competitive spirit: As I mentioned before, know that you might not be the best yogi in the room. It’s time to get accustomed to that. The only thing you should be worried about is improving your own practice. And, sometimes, you may have to take a step backward before making progress.

Dump your belief that you must already be flexible: Thinking you have to be flexible to try yoga is like saying you have to be in shape to go to the gym or know how to cook to take a cooking class. The truth is, practicing yoga regularly will help you become more flexible over time.

Yoga truly is a strong, energetic, and challenging workout. But too many men never make it past that first-class or even show up at all. You may enter your first class as a skeptic, but I promise if you give it a few tries you’ll leave a sweaty convert! Oh, and one more tip—— yoga will improve your golf game by a mile. Now……who’s with me?

Building Heat in the Body with the Practice of Yoga

November 17, 2018/in Hot Yoga, Hot Yoga Benefits /by Shannon Austin

When we’re cold, our circulation decreases, which leads to constriction in the muscles and joints. Though I know how tempting it can be to avoid the snowy roads and stay snuggled up on your cozy couch, winter weather is actually one of the best times to keep up a consistent hot yoga practice. Through our practice, we develop an internal heat to keep us warm, happy, and healthy.

I suggest focusing on four specific practices this season: develop strong, consistent breath; work those abs until they burn; consume Ayurveda-friendly warm, seasonal foods and get yourself to the nearest hot yoga room.

Strong Breath

Kapalabhati is a cleansing breath technique in which you start in a comfortable seated position with a tall spine. Draw in a long inhale, then exhale forcefully from your lower belly. Continue pushing breath outward in this way without inhaling – the inhale happens naturally, I promise!

Focus on exhaling over and over again, starting with a steady pace before moving faster. After about 20 repetitions, exhale all your air out and draw in another deep breath. Slowly sigh it out. You can repeat this breathing style twice more, allowing for that important rested breath between rounds.

This breathing style removes carbon dioxide from your lungs and brings energy into your body.

Core Strength

Heat is created from your body’s furnace, located in the belly center. In yoga, we call this area the Manipura chakra, which is connected to the element of fire. Any work done in your core area will provide warmth. In the winter, we like to spend time prepping the body before diving into the more difficult core exercises.

We may start with abdominal exercises that keep the spine fully supported by the floor. We’ll move into a couple rounds of Locust pose, while focusing on a very regulated breath. You’ll often find yourself in navasana (boat pose) later in class. Seated forward folds are sometimes used in the cooling portion of class, as we focus on contracting the belly on each exhale.

Nutritional Support

The sister science of yoga, Ayurveda, states that “like attracts like.” This means that the kapha and vata doshas tend to become aggravated during our dark, cold Michigan winters. The climate is simply too similar to their natural qualities. If you’re finding yourself experiencing many colds, poor circulation, joint pains, or negative emotions, try some of these tips.

Definitely eat plenty of soups, stews, cooked vegetables, and grains. Avoid cold salads and sandwiches.

Start your day with a hearty, warm breakfast to feed your digestive fire. Oatmeal is a great option.

Season your foods with warming spices, such as cinnamon, black pepper, cumin, and nutmeg.

Drink warm teas, hot water with lemon, or dry red wine to encourage circulation and stimulate digestion.

If you naturally tend to eat warmer, heartier foods in the winter – like soup, stir fry, casserole, quiches, pasta – you’re on the right track! While our bodies are designed to eat more in the winter, it’s still important to select your food carefully.

The cold, dry, and dark winter months can certainly tempt us away from our practice – and excercise in general. If we fall victim to that temptation, though, we’ll experience a number of negative consequences. I challenge you this winter to use your yoga practice as a means of caring for your entire being. Challenge yourself to practice a certain amount of days each week. For at least 60 minutes, you’ll be incredibly warm and fiery!

If you would like to learn more about building heat in the body using the sister science of yoga, Ayurveda, please visit Laura Burkett at Real Food Wellness.

Hot Yoga Studio

The hot yoga studio creates a sauna like atmosphere that will naturally detoxify the body while warming the external sheath, bones, muscles, ligaments and joints. Hot yoga raises your heart rate and core temperature, which dilates blood vessels and increases circulation in your muscles—a total win when muscles are stiffer in the cold weather months. Essentially, hot yoga helps build the heat from the core to the periphery and the periphery back to the core.

If you’re interested in learning more about our hot yoga studio, please call(616) 805-3603 and speak to Brittany Sanagustin or anyone on the Yoga Fever staff. We can help guide you into a safe, cozy practice designed to keep you warm all year long!

The Story Behind Fever | Yoga Cycle Strength

February 18, 2018/in Grand Rapids Hot Yoga, Hot Yoga /by Shannon Austin

The Love Story Behind Our Studio

For some, Valentine’s Day is an opportunity to spend quality time with their significant other. For others, it’s a reminder to demonstrate love and vulnerability toward friends and family members. In the spirit of Valentine’s Day, I want to share my honest, vulnerable story behind the creation of Fever | Yoga Cycle Strength – and the tremendous community we’re building together.

The Story of Fever | Yoga Cycle Strength

This story starts in 2014 when my sister passed away unexpectedly. It was one of the hardest times of my life. It took a lot of soul searching, contemplation, forgiveness, and letting go to move out of that state of constant grief. About a year later, when I was beginning to recover and rebuild, I knew I had to do something more with my life. Something meaningful. No longer could I coast along doing things I didn’t love; I felt inspired – and almost obligated – to do more, to make my sister proud and to make a real difference. I was on a quest to find internal bliss by creating a life of purpose.

I honestly had never seen myself as a business owner but have a long line of successful entrepreneurs in my family. I knew my sister was with me when the idea unveiled itself to open a traditional hot vinyasa yoga studio that would than become so much more.

As the studio grew and as I continued to evolve, I knew I wanted to expand and level up. I just wasn’t quite sure what that meant. I didn’t want to duplicate what I had already done within a few miles like others so often do.

I traveled west for 8 weeks on a mission to hit every studio to become inspired. Toward the end of my journey, I landed upon a fantastic studio that offered multiple rooms. Each room had a different purpose. One room was strictly TRX, one was hot yoga and the other was cycling. I thought wow, what a great concept to add all group fitness modalities together under one roof. I went on to take my yoga class and in savasana my eyes literally popped open, and a huge smile came over my face. This was it. This was how I was going to expand. I knew this was the wave of future for fitness; to offer multiple ways to move for one fee. I knew so many that spent a lot of money on multiple memberships around the city. It was a problem and I wanted to solve it.

There was a plethora of obstacles to overcome. But piece by piece everything fell into place. 12 weeks later our brand-new studio with 3 fitness rooms was born. A new beginning and so much fun!

Currently we offer barre, indoor cycle, hot yoga, strength training, restorative yoga + meditation, pop-up classes like kickboxing and fascia release + more.

Fever | Yoga Cycle Strength has surpassed all my expectations and grown into such a beautiful community. But I couldn’t do any of this without the help and support of my dedicated team. Imagine being able to do what you love all day surrounded by people who love it to. Life truly is a gift.

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To all of you who make the choice to practice and move with us, and to heal and strengthen your body and mind, from the inside out, we thank you.

What are the Staples of Yoga Etiquette?

November 30, 2017/in Hot Yoga /by Shannon Austin

This week we’re getting into the nitty-gritty of studio etiquette. What are the staples of yoga etiquette that keep us flowing smoothly through our classes?

It takes a tribe to keep Yoga Fever going, and we always appreciate your consideration of these guidelines. Whether you’re a new friend or a veteran at our studio, these eight topics will help you remain respectful to your classmates, teachers, and self.

Arrive A Few Minutes Early:

Scurrying in after class has already begun is not only stressful for you but also distracting for your classmates. Arriving 5-10 minutes before class is always a good rule of thumb. This affords you time to use the bathroom, unroll your mat, and prepare for practice. Maybe you can even throw in a few of your favorite, gentle warm-up stretches.

Shoes Stay Outside the Studio:

In order to prevent injuries, it’s so important for us to maintain a clean, safe studio. This means keeping the rain, snow, and mud where it belongs – outside the studio. Remember to remove your shoes when you walk in the door and place them on one of the mats we keep handy. Yoga is best practiced barefoot, so kick off your socks too.

Talk to Your Teacher about Any Injuries:

One of the greatest blessings of yoga is its potential to craft routines around certain parts of our bodies, which means we have plenty of modifications up our sleeves if something’s just not feeling right on a given day. Be sure to check in with your teacher before class if you’re experiencing any injuries or soreness. We’ll help you find a practice that is safe for you.

Know When to Eliminate the Noise:

We love when our yoga students become friends and certainly encourage you to get to know your neighbor. By all means socialize before and after class! But once class starts, it’s best to focus all your attention within the four corners of your mat. Yoga class is a time of self-love and self-improvement, and we all focus best when we keep the whispering to a minimum.

Eliminate other noises by silencing your cell phones or, better yet, leave them in a cubby outside the studio. Yoga class may be the one time all day when you’re able to fully disconnect from technology, so leave the distracting beeps and buzzes safely outside.

Sweat Happens:

It’s hot yoga for goodness sakes – yes, you’re going to sweat! At Yoga Fever, we pride ourselves about the cleanliness of our studio. Though we mop and clean between each class, we sometimes can’t get to the sweat puddles fast enough to prevent other students from encountering them on their way out the door. Do us a solid and grab a complimentary towel before heading into the studio. If you or your area gets a bit messy, a quick sweep of your towel is greatly appreciated.

Be Mindful of the Air Others Breathe:

In a hot yoga studio, even the faintest scents travel quickly. To respect your fellow classmates, stick to your gentle, hard-working deodorant rather than applying heavy perfume or cologne prior to class.

Don’t Interrupt Savasana:

Savasana is a time for stillness and deep rest that allows your body to fully receive the benefits of yoga. While we truly hope you’re able to stay for the entirety of class, we understand that sometimes you’ll have to leave early. Some yoga is always better than no yoga. But if you do have to leave early, be sure to select a spot near the exit door and be considerate about your timing. Try to make your quiet exit sometime as we make our way to the floor for final stretching poses.

What about the Embarrassing Questions?

“Can I sneak out to use the bathroom during class?” “What if my nose won’t stop running?” “Oh no, I touched my neighbor!”

Relax, we get it. Bathroom breaks are totally allowed during class, just be sure to avoid your fellow classmates as you make your exit. And try to avoid leaving during our meditation poses. Runny noses are so common, especially now in the winter months. We always have tissue boxes lying around, so feel free to grab a couple to have near your mat. And there’s absolutely nothing wrong with inadvertently bumping into your neighbor during a full class.

Embrace it. Enjoy the community, the connection, the tribe. Give each other a smile and keep on moving!

Personalize Your Experience: Try a Private Group Yoga Class in Grand Rapids

April 3, 2017/in Grand Rapids Hot Yoga, Hot Yoga /by Shannon Austin

Maybe you’re new to hot yoga in Grand Rapids and worried about embarrassing yourself in a large group class. Or, perhaps you’re looking for an excursion to suit the needs of a particular group, like a bachelorette party or a circle of fitness-minded friends. Maybe you and a few friends desire a little extra attention as you continue on your yoga journey or need specific help rehabilitating an injury.

Sound familiar? If so, consider trying a private hot yoga class. Traditional, public classes are fun, energizing and informative. They help to create a strong community of yogis. However, a private group for hot yoga allows even more of the individualized attention and guidance that we all need at one time or another. Whether you’re new to the practice of hot yoga, needing rehabilitation from an injury or simply hoping to take your practice deeper, a private group hot yoga class could be a nice option.

What are the perks of a private group hot yoga class in Grand Rapids?

Besides the affordable price tag, private group classes offer a number of other perks, which makes them a valuable addition to your hot yoga schedule. Historically, yoga was often taught by one teacher directly to one student. These ancient teachers understood the importance of individualizing each yoga experience to meet the needs of the individual student. Private group yoga classes follow this wisdom, allowing each group to work with the teacher to personalize their yoga experience. Groups can choose a gentle, beginner, intermediate, or restorative-style class, depending on their skill level and desire.

Private group hot yoga classes are perfect for special occasions. If you’ve always wanted to experiment with hot yoga without being embarrassed, grab a few buddies and schedule a class with us. If you’re tasked with planning a friend’s bachelorette activities, schedule a yoga class to kick off the celebration or wind down from the festivities. If you and your pals are really into trying new kinds of fitness, mix a private hot yoga class in with your weekly cardio classes.

Whatever your reason and whatever your intention, we’re here to help you get the most out of your hot yoga experience. If you’d like to discuss scheduling a private group hot yoga class in GR, call: (616) 805-3603 or visit us online.

Yoga for Runners

April 12, 2016/0 Comments/in Hot Yoga Benefits /by Shannon Austin

Rolling out a yoga mat may just improve your running skills

Studies show that the strength and flexibility you gain on the mat can help you run more efficiently and stay injury-free. Yoga opens up several muscle groups in the legs such as the quads, IT band, hip flexors, psoas (core), and hammys.

According to several sources, yoga can be the key to faster running times

The science of cardio exercise and running mechanics are fairly simple. Efficient and fast times are credited to alignment. Building from the ground up, feet to head is key to a successful run. Yoga has the power to change any misalignment in the body… even moving bones over time. Yes, it’s true. Strengthening and lengthening the muscles improves the alignment of the body greatly.

Runners benefit from opening the overworked leg muscles. There is also great benefit to gaining core strength to help towards the middle or end miles of your run.

How does yoga increase your speed?

Apparently, the fastest runners have an amazing 20 – 25% angle at the hip flexor and a 5% arc in the back. Back bends and hip openers provide flexibility which increases speed. If you are a runner, get on your mat and check out the benefits it can provide your body.

Hot Yoga and Diabetes

March 9, 2016/1 Comment/in Hot Yoga, Hot Yoga Benefits /by Shannon Austin

Can I do hot yoga if I have diabetes?

Yes, you can absolutely do hot yoga if you have diabetes. However, being mindful of your blood sugar level and hydration is key. Checking your blood sugar before and after class is a good rule of thumb to measure where your levels are with the incorporation of vigorous heated exercise.

Your glucose level may spike after a hot yoga class due to the stress on the body, heat and humidity. Since Diabetes varies in degree and from person to person, it is important to begin a hot yoga routine with a keen eye on your body, how you feel after class, and checking your insulin levels.

Take the time to rest after class if you have Diabetes

Don’t rush to get out the door to head home if you are finishing up a hot yoga class and you are diabetic. Give it a few minutes, relax, linger, take your time! Replenish as much fluids as you can before you get behind the wheel to head home. If you feel light headed, disoriented, or out of sorts in anyway, you should stay put and talk to someone at the studio about how your feeling. They can help you to find a relaxing location where you can check your insulin levels and rest your head.

Consult your physician

Talking to your Doc before incorporating hot yoga into your routine is always a good idea but especially if you are type I or type II diabetic. Be sure that this is a safe practice for you by getting the green light from your primary care.

Exercise is a natural healer

Hot yoga, running, traditional yoga, and exercise of any kind is a natural healer of the body and mind. If you check with your doc and monitor yourself closely, there should be nothing holding you back from picking up a regular hot yoga routine.

Congrats on getting healthy!

Why Men Should Do Yoga

March 2, 2016/29 Comments/in Hot Yoga /by Shannon Austin

Yoga is not just a sport for women

Fact: Yoga was originally designed for men. Yes, it’s true. Ashtanga was designed for 14-year-old boys many many moons ago. Women were not even allowed to practice yoga back in the day. Of course, times have changed. When yoga moved to the west it became female-dominated with men taking a back seat. However, the number of men rolling out their mats is growing by leaps and bounds each year.

Here are a few reasons why yoga for men is beneficial:

You will gain flexibility

Fellas, with more flexibility you will be able to play recreational sports with ease. Practicing yoga will not only help with flexibility but also your range of motion, both of which can prevent sports injuries.

You will gain strength

For men that think yoga is feminine, you should come try one of our hot yoga classes and we guarantee you will change your mind on that. Asanas or postures require a different type of strength. Yoga provides a ‘whole body’ work out that fires up your stabilizer muscles while you isometrically contract and strengthen the major muscle groups.

You will feel better

Yoga will help you in all aspects of your life. It will help you tame your inner beast and enhance your ability to focus. You may become less reactive to stressful situations with a stronger connection to peace of mind. Yoga will harmonize the dimensions of your life including your relationships and your job. The act of mindfulness can help us deal with emotions we may otherwise internalize.

You may not be super bendy and hyper-mobile after your first yoga class. However, with a little patience, it will pay off with time.

Yoga for Weight Loss?

February 23, 2016/in Hot Yoga, Yoga /by Shannon Austin

Yoga for Weight Loss: Does it Work?

Let’s break it down. Yoga is a form of physical and mental exercise. Increasing your physical and mental exercise will benefit you on several levels. If the goal is weight loss, then picking a yoga style that is challenging, powerful, and gets your heart rate up is the way to go. The more vigorous the yoga practice, the more you will sweat and increase your caloric burn.

Cardio, cardio, cardio

We know cardio is the way to a slimmer self and we know toning the muscles is the way to a flatter belly and a toned body. This is what makes yoga a wonderful complement to any weight loss program. Indoor cycling, breath and movement yoga classes or momentum style classes will give you a cardio kick by getting you moving. Traditional yoga classes where you hold poses will help with added strength and endurance. Finding a yoga class that incorporates holding poses and momentum will help you shed a few pounds.

We can actually make our yoga class as easy or as hard as we want. We have the control to activate all of the muscle groups by “hugging in” or hugging the muscle to the bone. This creates an activation of the muscular energy of the body. If we want to make it easier on ourselves, we can choose to not hug in and take a more relaxed version of the pose. It’s that simple.

Can I lose more weight with hot yoga?

Hot yoga classes + cardio not only promotes weight loss but it helps to sculpt your body. The heat guarantees your body will sweat and work harder than in a traditional yoga studio. You will shed a lot of superficial water weight right away by sweating like a fiend in hot yoga. Hot yoga boosts your metabolism and promotes overall cleansing by flushing out your lymphatic system.

Overall wellness plays a role in weight loss

There are many different types of yoga practice that will help you gain more awareness of your body, your food choices, and acceptance of yourself just as you are. The more mental clarity and positive energy we gain from a regular yoga practice the higher our quality of life. Ultimately, yoga will change your life not just on a physical level, but on a physiological, emotional, psychological, and spiritual level.