It’s getting hot in here - our winter warming fitness obsessions

Let's face it, when the temps are sub 10-degrees outside and you can hear the heavens have opened outside, dragging your butt out of bed to go and exercise is the very last thing you feel like doing. Thankfully, there's a solution to heat up your mornings in more way than one. Cue East West Yoga's range of yoga classes to help you get your sweat on this winter. 

While 90-minute Bikram yoga classes in 40-degree heat may not necessarily be your thing, new East West Yoga owners Amelia, Kirsty and Sheryn teach us that hot yoga comes in many forms, and need not be as intimidating as you might believe. They emphasize body love before body anxiety, particularly the kind that comes from scrolling through all of those ‘yogi babes’ on your feed.

Here, they share their top 4 reasons to get bendy in the heat this winter.

Baby, it’s Cold Outside
Slip out of your winter layers and dip your toes into a nice warm room – heated anywhere between 32 and 40 degrees for a satisfyingly sweaty practice. The heat aids in detoxification of the body while warming your muscles to a point that promotes and deepens your range of movement.

It’s Not Always About the Abs 
While a hot yoga practice burns plenty of energy through strength and cardio based work, the emphasis at East West is on dropping your expectations and reconnecting with the body in a positive way. Connect with your breath, focus inwards, and walk away feeling healthy and grateful for your hour’s work.

But it is About the Bod 
Regular hot yoga practice will work your entire muscular system from top to toe, improving posture, building tone and sending toxins packing. Students might find digestive problems, body aches and niggles disappear over time, while organs benefit from oxygenated blood flow through the twisting, rinsing movements.

Yoga for Everyone
East West practices three different traditional styles of yoga.

Bikram – the infamous challenge of 26 postures held throughout a 60 or 90min class will help with injuries and build your focus & determination.

Power Vinyasa – a dynamic practice which changes from teacher to teacher, focuses strongly on breath and rhythm for cardiovascular support.

Yin – a gentle practice in a non-heated room, aimed at flexibility through targeting the fascia, ligaments and joints.

Head here for more.