Yoga can be traced back to 5,000 years ago and is a Sanskrit word meaning to join, or yoke; union. Its full meaning is about the union of body, mind and spirit. It is also about the ending of the chatter of the mind, so that the mind can experience stillness, thus a meditative mind can be nurtured.
Hot Yoga is yoga performed in a heated room with temperature range from 38 to 40 degree Celsius with approximately 40% humidity.
Hot Yoga practice is stimulating and cleansing on many levels. There are several benefits including stress reduction, increased blood circulation which stimulates the heart to strengthen its contractions, which is exercise for the heart muscle itself. As a result, the heart pumps efficiently thereby lowering blood pressure. Hot Yoga also improves flexibility and strength. After class you will feel energized, rejuvenated, and cleansed. In essence, the heat is a form of cardiovascular conditioning. The heat aids in detoxification, increases blood flow to speed up metabolic processes of vital organs, glands, and mobilizing toxins for elimination. Heat stimulates fat receptors, activating fat stores and facilitating fat loss and releasing these fat-soluble toxins.
Additional responses of the heat include the stimulation of white blood cell production, boosting the immune system, promoting relaxation, and an increase in healing injuries and disease symptoms. Overall, the body’s response to heat strengthens, detoxifies, and heals, which in turn creates a sense of health and well-being. See Benefits of the Heat under our New to Hot Yoga section for more detail.
While yoga has found its root in India, yoga is not a religion and the practice of the physical aspects of yoga is by no mean religious. Physical yoga exercise is currently practiced by over 30 million people worldwide with different background.
At Life Hot Yoga, we welcome and respect all religions of all races and all nationalities. We believe religion and spirituality is an individual choice and an independent path. Practice of physical yoga exercises in many ways will complement, if not strengthen one’s spiritual belief.
Yes. We have created an encouraging environment in which all levels and abilities can practice yoga. We recommend beginners to start with Hot 26 class and/or Hot Yin. Hot 26 is a heated beginner level yoga class which comprises of 2 breathing exercises and 26 static yoga poses.
You will be able to slowly ease into the practice, and fall in love with the heat and measure your progress over time with the same 26 yoga poses. On the other hand, Hot Yin is a gentle hot class where you will hold a few poses for a longer time (up to 5 minutes) with adjustments and props provided to let the body relax and passively work through the connective tissues.
Over time, when you are acquainted with the heat, you are free to expand your practice by progressing onto our Hot 50 class which comprises of 50 yoga poses extending from Hot 26 and Hot Vinyasa / Core classes which are more dynamic, where flow sequence differs from instructors to instructors and from class to class. We encourage beginners to pace themselves in class and recommend beginners commit to attending three classes in the first week.
This will create a solid physical base and an intellectual understanding that will eventually help build strength, focus, stamina and flexibility.
If you wake up a little tender after attending your first class, it is best to come back the following day. Stiffness and sore muscles are indicators of the strengthening and transformation taking place as a result of your practice. Following up with another class will assist in conditioning the muscles and advance the healing process.
A successful yoga practice requires discipline, consistency and commitment. To experience the true benefits of a yoga practice, we recommend practicing four to six days per week. A practice of two to three days per week, if consistent, will create transformation over time. Develop the spirit of repetition and dedication in your practice, and you will see results.
Only if you show up. An hour of hot yoga class could be the equivalent sweat as a 6 mile run!
You have a great reason to come to us! Flexibility is something yoga gives you; you don’t have to be flexible to start a yoga practice. Yoga brings flexibility to the body. When you sit a lot during the work day, or when you’re engaging in repetitive motion activities, you’re shortening your muscles; yoga allows you to lengthen, expand and release toxins that build up during these activities. Increased flexibility is not yoga’s only objective nor its only benefit.
The ultimate benefit of yoga – to harmoniously unite body, mind and spirit in a healthful physical practice – can be experienced regardless of whether you’re able to easily touch your toes. LIFE’s classes are not flexibility competitions. LIFE studio is a place where you can be comfortable in your own skin, and we will show you how to modify postures to get on the path. Flexibility will come eventually.
Please bring a bottle of water and your yoga attire for practice. We will provide mat, towels and other amenities. What to wear to yoga class includes tight-fitting exercise clothing in which you can sweat in. Also, please arrive to the studio about 15 minutes before your first class to meet your instructor and fill out a short “new student” form. This will also leave you ample time to ask any questions, prepare for class and relax onto your mat. Come with an open mind and be prepared to have fun.
At LIFE Hot Yoga, it’s our priority to honor and respect our student’s time. It’s often a challenge to devote an hour (or more) to ourselves during the day. Therefore, we promptly begin and end class on time, and we lock the door in between classes for the safety and security of our students who are taking class. Please show up to class on time (at least 5 – 15 minutes earlier) so you can be sure to squeeze in your yoga practice!
Each individual will respond differently to yoga, based on a myriad of factors including age, physical condition and genetics. What is far more important than measuring “progress” is to simply embrace where your practice is, and let go of any arbitrary self-imposed “goals.” Yoga is truly a life-long pursuit, one that you can go on exploring as long as you live and never learn all there is to know. Yoga is about the journey, so enjoy the ride.
Please bring a bottle of water and make sure to hydrate at least two hours before class. We also recommend that you keep an empty stomach a couple hours before class.
The recommendations for hydration before, during and after hot yoga class are as follows:
- Daily intake of 8–10 glasses of water (8 oz. per glass) for normal activity, not including exercise.
- At least 2 hours prior to hot yoga class, drink 16 oz. of water or fluid without caffeine.
- During first 15 minutes of your practice, your yoga instructor may ask you not to drink during the first 15 minutes so that you can get your mind and body to arrive onto your yoga mat by simply focusing on your movements and breathe without the unnecessary movements like picking up your water bottle.
- After 15 minutes of the class, you may drink sips of water as and when you need in between postures with minimal distraction to other practitioners. After class, drink plenty of water to replenish any water loss from 1 to 2 litres or more depending on body size and water loss.
Special note: caffeinated beverages such as coffee, many teas, and sodas will increase fluid loss by increasing urinary output. Wine, beer, and other alcoholic beverages cause fluid loss as well. Students who drink beverages with caffeine or alcohol should consume equal amounts of water (in addition to the daily recommendation of 8–10 glasses) to avoid dehydration.
All classes at LIFE Hot Yoga are practiced in a heated room which helps to stretch muscle fibers and tendons; helps to prevent injuries to these areas while stretching. The heat also helps to increase circulation to tissues and organs, enhances the functioning of the immune system and provides great healing influence to the entire body. The heat will make the classes more challenging.
However, we encourage students to pace themselves and determine the intensity that works best for them in each pose and throughout the class. LIFE Hot Yoga classes will provide a healthy and challenging workout that will give you a strong and stress-free road map to life.
You will find all types of yoga style challenging. All the postures combine flexibility, strength, and balance to work the entire body. Your heart rate will go up! With dedication and commitment many people have seen weight loss, toned muscle and increased strength.
Yes, members of LIFE Hot Yoga can book a class online via desktop or via our in-house mobile App 7 days in advance. No shows or cancellations (1 hour prior) up to 3 times within a month will result in advance booking privilege to be suspended for the following month.
If your health care professional has advised you to avoid cardiovascular activity, or you have extremely low blood pressure, or you’ve just indulged in a big Nasi Goreng Ayam+Char KwayTeow+Roti Prata+500gram Ribeye steak combo meal (yum, they are all our favourite indulgence, no shame!), it’s best to avoid practicing hot yoga right after meal.
It’s really best to stop eating a few hours before class, but we recommend that you stay well hydrated before and after class. We also encourage women in their first trimester of pregnancy to consult with their doctor if they’re new to practicing hot yoga.
Let your teacher know that you’re expecting – certain postures (such as twists, core strengthening et cetera) are not recommended for pregnant women and we would recommend a passive hot yin class over the other active hot classes.
If you are really concerned about the heat, as much as we tried to get the room evenly heated, there’s probably a cooler spot in the room to practice in – please ask us and we’ll point it out. Please make sure to share any health issues or injuries with your teacher prior to class.
Please obtain your doctor’s clearance before starting any form of exercise and inform your teacher/ instructor before class.
To attend heated classes, students must be 16 years of age. All minors (under 18) must have a parent signed waiver prior to practicing (the parent or guardian must sign the waiver in person at a studio).
Feel free to contact us via email or phone. We will be thrilled if you come by our studio and have a chat at our relaxing café over a tea/coffee. See you soon!