Hot Yoga Pose Forums > Introduction to Hot Yoga
Ah, Chrissy you touch upon one of the first subjects where the author Gabrielle and I disagree: procrastination is a good thing and a powerful message from your Inner Being about right timing not just in hot yoga but in life. We are taught to push through our desire to delay... but what if that desire is telling you that the Universe is still plurking on lining things up so that when you take action on it, everything moves into place easily, as it is meant to.. would you really want to push past that? In hot yoga class we insist that students follow our instructions for alignment but we never push students to a pose- they decide depth and can also always choose Savasana and "come back into the poses when you're ready ."
Timing is everything and your feeling of procrastination is not you "slacking off"... it is You being in touch with perfect timing. We will plurk about this in upcoming Blisscipline assignments so you can feel it for yourself..and you will love it.
Rhonda Uretzky, E-RYT
I felt that the author of hot yoga master class talked about some major points that I could relate to. First of all how powerful savasana can be when practing stillness to be totally present in the room. In the beginning this was difficult because I would start making my "to do" lists in my head. Now savasana has empowered me to be mindful of my breaths, I feel calm and stronger to get myself into the next pose even deeper.
The power of the tourniquet effect makes even more sense now. Remaining in a pose, holding it to my edge without going in & out of a pose allows me to stay in tune with myself then getting the maximum benefits of the blood flowing to many organs of my body at the end of the pose. Of course if I fall out "congratulations" as Chrissy has talked about in her post, i can go back and find another new edge.
maria
Wonderful observations Maria... and yes the tourniquet effect is one of the genius aspects of hot yoga that sets it apart from all other forms of Hatha Yoga I’ve ever practiced. As a nurse yourself you can fully appreciate the rush of oxygenated blood that this creates and really see how healing this yoga is! Of course just like applying a real tourniquet it’s very important to apply it correctly ... and this is why your pose instructions in your scripts are soooooo important!
Rhonda Uretzky, E-RYT
Chrissy I do the same thing! I love the fact I smile and laugh when I fall out of a pose. When I first began I never realized how much “ego” I inadvertently had. I never had ego in the sense of “oh look at me” but it was way more a comfort to myself of where I feel proud and I don’t want to loose that feeling. Little did I know I was cheating myself. The second the fear of falling out was gone I got to such a better place. My practice and meantlly wirh myself. One thing I found interesting in this introduction section was how looking in your own eyes is a gauge of how comfortable you are with yourself. Looking back, I could never look in my own eyes and only certain times can I now . And I know it is from the past self image I had, I’m so glad this was explained and addressed and it’s something I can actively begin focusing on more heavily, the same way I focused on smiling after falling out :)
Stephanie
I loved reading about the purpose of the things we do in hot yoga, ie: the constant instruction to “rest the overactive mind”. I am inspired by the depth of benefits of specific poses. I feel like the description of 4 stages is really important to pass on to new students. It really gives a solid sense of why sticking with Hot Yoga will be a win. There is so much in this introduction that resonates with my practice. Procrastination and 75/25. I plan to take all this info to class with a renewed spirit.
Jeanne
Ooo, Jeanne I cant wait to show you the power (yes, you heard right) of procrastination...it aint all bad! In fact...none of it is bad. And the fact that you are here is ALREADY a win...
Rhonda Uretzky, E-RYT
I am enjoying this book and appreciate the author’s style. There is not an over-emphasis on scientific evidence, but rather an inclination towards intuition and trust. This speaks to me at this point in my life, because my career path and the work I currently do (Research Scientist) is currently so grounded in science, evidence, data, etc. But I am learning there is a time and a place for such evidence and sometimes the intuition is a better teacher. Although I was surprised to read “There does not seem to be much, if any, scientific evidence that hot yoga does what it claims.”. I thought there was a body of scientific evidence supporting hot yoga…
“The constant stream of instruction from the teacher has the effect of fully occupying your mind.” YES, this is one reason Hot Yoga has “worked” for me, compared to Vinyasas, that are more fast paced and mirror the teachers actions more than the words.
Comforting to see the author took awhile to learn to not “sneak extra breaths” in Pranayama, as I always feel like I am sneaking breaths.
I find it challenging to differentiate between “comfortable discomfort” versus pain. I am not completely confident in guiding others on this yet, but I did find the description of wincing being too much a good indication.
Pamela
I have a feeling that this book will be getting a little dog-eared pretty soon--it is such a great resource. I like what the author had to say about distractions--drinking, fixing the mat, looking at other people and comparing. Just recognizing what you are doing is helpful. I also think that the concept of distracting yourself carries over into life in general, at least for me. Checking my email 30 times a day, worrying about what others are doing, etc., is a real time-waster and keeps me from being my best.
irenem
What really caught my attention is "controversial" view on position of the hands in standing Savasana and both anatomical and psychological rational behind the elbow in your back pockets. Not only it relives the stress in ones shoulders, facing the palms forward will be "manifesting in your phycology a spirit of openness and receiving.
Irina
This is probably the happiest I have ever been reading an "instructional manual". I really relate to the love of Hot Yoga for it's ability to get me out of my head. I love all yoga but no other kind clears my mind like hot. There are a few poses that I literally cannot wait to read about.
I also really like and identify with all the reasons that you fall out of a pose. I know if I am really having a tough time with something in my life it will show in balance poses and after a class or two I feel much more balance all around.
Paula
Such wonderful observations! Pamela. there actually is research evidence to support many of the anecdotal evidence of the benefits of hot yoga and it continues to grow....this book was written at least 10 years ago...but as you know, even scientific evidence can be skewed and thus what you choose to believe ultimately is up to you, even based on the results of research findings. As to your being unsure about pain and discomfort I can say that if you have to question the feeling it is not pain! That is an immediate response! Discomfort is a pretty pejorative word; I just call it "stretch" which, when you first stretch beyond your old limits, feels a bit "twingey." Its a good thing
Irene, love your immediate awareness of how the "distractions" you allow yourself in yoga translate into your level of "distractability" in your life outside of yoga...you are about learn how everything that is true for you in these asanas is also true in your behavior in life....in fact, all of your yoga poses can be seen as a metaphor for your life...
Irina, do these ideas feel controversial...perhaps, as they are not rooted in physical anatomy, but then yoga itself is only a small part about anatomy, In fact, the many physical movements of asana are connected to movements of the mind and the full expression will show up in your life outside of yfta practice...you just get to see them more clearly as you move your body and feel the experience of these movements. Soon enough you will feel them as something other than bones and skin..
Paula, Im excited for you too! This is a fantastic book that gets better on every read...and as your hot yoga practice deepens. And if you're excited to read about certain poses, dont let the order them in TT hold you back - feel free to skip and leap ahead!
Rhonda Uretzky, E-RYT
I read a lot of technical manuals for my job so I dont normally seek them out in my personal life. I did not expect to enjoy this material but decided to approach it with an open mind. Perhaps that outlook has caused the enjoyment I am getting from the material. I have been reading it like I read work manuals looking for discrepancies or points I particularly agree with or disagree with in the material. Based on Rhonda's teaching of Hot 26 and my own research I disagree with a piece that downplays head to forehead contact in head to knee poses to activate the pineal gland. (eg Janu Sirsasana) Did you know that tapping that spot with your finger is also supposed to activate it?
I finished the chapter on Ardha Chandrasana and spent a lot of time looking at the diagrams. Here comes the universe giving me pictures of a pose that I am currently backing out of on depth to achieve more accuracy to form? Interesting fact, after 34 weeks of chiropractor care keeping my hips facing front is actually harder and it has been a major focus of my recent GURU sessions. At this point stretching my hip flexors is now a daily exercise in the morning.
Paula
Hi Paula - I think you meant to post this under Ardha Chandrasana for this week;s assignment so cut and paste it there and I will offer you some answers. I love that you are reading this book and comparing it to our scripts and to your own experience; yoga is a living breathing thing and it evolves along with us!
Rhonda Uretzky, E-RYT
I also smile whenever I fall out of a pose, because I always fall out just as the teacher says its ok to fall out of a pose. Even when practicing to video. Also just as I notice my hips/ shoulders are not square is when the teacher reminds us to square our hips/ shoulders. The scripts are so perfectly timed to my practice that I feel like its a private session. Then I started reading this book and AHA! It is the practice. As I'm reading through the intro I am shaking my head and smiling to myself, Yup, I do that. I straighten my clothes or spend extra time in the set up. The section about practicing at home was very helpful due to current circumstances. I put quite a bit of thought into turning my office into a studio but never considered things like sweat on the floor being slippery or putting a thermostat in the room.
Erica
Interesting Erica - perhaps you now have formed an expectation that you will follow the teachers instructions so well that you will fall when she says so! What might happen if you CHANGED your expectation or belief - wouldnt it be interesting to try? Unless you like falling out of a pose (sometimes its fun!) try telling yourself, "I'm going to sense an even strong balance every time the teacher talks about falling out!" Or, "I'm going to be perfect in this practice for today and thats what I want - to be PRESENT and feel whatever I'm allowing myself to feel." I know there are some "dos and donts" to hot yoga - we do want our students to move safely! - but lets stay on this side of the line about making yourself wrong for adjusting your clothes or spending extra time in the set up (by the way this is one of the areas where the author and I disagree: I think taking your time in the set up is KEY!) As challenging a practice as it is, hot yoga should always be about soothing yourself and NEVER beating yourself up about what you didn't-or-should-be doing. Breathe, and enjoy the moment
Rhonda Uretzky, E-RYT
A part of my practice is to follow the teachers instructions like Erica's, It makes me gain patience, tolorence, allow someone to tell me what to do, and much much more. I am curious how that turned out for Erica if she was able to change the expectation and hold the pose longer! , but I fall out of the standing pose's often! I am going to take your suggestions and change my beliefs - to do a perfect practice - to be Present and be an observer of my thoughts and feelings. After reading the introduction I have learned a lot that needs correcting in my practice. "When you fall you learn" hit me in a place that i judged and I allowed it to get to me for a little while; almost to the point of giving up! Now I see it as learning experience that will enhance my practice and my life! I have a fear of success and failure; fear is a liar I have a choice to believe that! I am aware of how I Sabotage..... How can I strive to succeed? What would it look like if there is Non-Attachment practiced in daily life? What would it look like if I became curious and went out of my comfort zone and trusted myself enough to do so? CHANGE MY ABILITY TO DO COPE AND PRACTICE. I have to address the fact that grew up with "Knock Knees" and my hips are always tight! I have to address my knee is not going forward to be able to lock and lift my thigh. My knee still wabbles with my thigh locked. What if i tried breathing in to it, wear my glasses so I can see and really focus on my alignment ( I have a hard time with alignment) and go slow! I need to stop comparing myself to my practice years ago! I am not the same person anymore. Just breathe, soothe, smile encapsulte a spirit of non - attachment and stay present.
I did enjoy reading about how hot yoga is hands down THE BEST! The mind, body, and soul connection is exactly what I need! Look in to your eyes - "Your beautiful, and I love you" How does that feel?
Lisa N
Lisa, to your comment, " I have a fear of success and failure; fear is a liar, : I would ask this: if a large brown bear is charging at you and you feel fear, what is the lie? In hot yoga you can learn to respect your emotions as they arise. It is the STORIES about the emotions, about why you feel them and if they are valid - that can take you off track, For instance: " I have to address the fact that grew up with "Knock Knees" and my hips are always tight! I have to address my knee is not going forward to be able to lock and lift my thigh. My knee still wabbles with my thigh locked." These are lots of stories about your body - are these stories serving you and your practice? What if you approached each hot yoga class with beginners mind - no comparisons, no preconceived ideas, no thoughts about limitations...I wonder if your poses would make you soar no matter what they looked like...
Rhonda Uretzky, E-RYT
I'm really enjoying the book, it is so on point with exactly what we are doing. I love the direct writing, it reads like an informative education should. I also find that it's answering questions I had and reassuring things I was guessing to be true, specifically about breathing. Gosh, if everyone just understood the benefits of breathing, there would be a lot more healthy and happy people around.