Benefits of Hot Yoga

Hello VERA yogis! We’re here to tell you all of the reasons that we love hot yoga. We teach a hot vinyasa practice here at the studio, and we take inspiration from our incredible lineage of teachers. Our style is inspired by Jonny Kest’s studio, Center for Yoga, in Birmingham, Michigan. Jonny’s brother Brian Kest started the first western donation based studio and coined the term Power Yoga. Our music driven style has evolved from these roots into what you experience with us today.

Our rooms are heated to around 98 degrees.  That’s purposefully not as hot as a Bikrum Yoga Class, as the vinyasa practice is rhythmic and movement based, which creates additional heat of your own. Our downtown Tribeca, NYC 10013, location uses a forced air system and our Boerum Hill, Brooklyn 11231, combines both forced air and infrared heat.  Both systems work to provide abundant circulation of freshly heated air, and have been updated to incorporate filtration and exhaust systems.  This keeps hot, fresh, humidified air circulating while you practice.  We bring the heat up with you as your body adjusts. You can get your body limber and your sweat on while we keep you comfortable and moving.

There are a number of benefits to hot yoga. First, heat helps increase your flexibility during class. The heat loosens you up quickly so you can approach a posture without strain, and get deeper into it in a shorter amount of time.  Finding these shapes in our bodies gives us greater range of movement and provides gains in flexibility and strength over time. Second, hot yoga increases your heart rate, our vinyasa practice is movement based and physical, so combined with an elevated heart rate you’re getting more cardio work in along the way.  Combine that with Yoga’s strength building qualities and you’ve got yourself a full body workout. Thirdly, sweating is good for you! Many cultures throughout the world participate in sweat inducing practices to cycle your body’s systems. Heat speeds up your metabolism and aids in breaking down fatty acids. Sweat also allows your skin – the largest organ of your body – to open its pores and cleanse itself. You will leave class glowing! Lastly, heat in a hot yoga class thins your blood which promotes healing via improved blood circulation.

You may have heard of the euphoric feeling that can come from a hot yoga class, we’re here to tell you – it’s real! Of course, there are other reasons we want you to come and groove with us also. Like most physical activity yoga is very good for your mental health.  Adding the power of mindfulness, gives the Yoga practice an edge that you won’t find elsewhere. 

The sense of community at VERAYOGA will surround you with like minded people all seeking the best out of their days.  We’ll help you catch onto the rhythm of our classes, and after a couple of weeks you’ll be flowing like a champ.  The benefits will come there is no escaping them, and at the very least you’ll be uplifted by our rock’n playlists from day one. So come downtown to Tribeca, 10013 or visit our new location in Boerum Hill, Brooklyn 11231 to practice with us in the heat!