Category: Summer

VIDEO: Why Judy and Alex practice yoga all summer

6/18/2022

When the temp starts rising in the Pacific Northwest, Judy and Alex hit the deck for hot yoga at (their) home.

Check out their story to find out how yoga helps this power couple feel young, sit up straight and "have zen... sometimes!"

Want to feel as good as Judy and Alex? Join our Yoga On Demand Plan today and practice from anywhere your heart desires.

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6 Reasons to Do Your Bikram Yoga This Summer

8/2/2018

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With temperatures in the 90s this week, summer is definitely here! Are you wondering whether it makes sense to turn the heat up even more by coming to hot yoga class? You may be asking yourself if you even have the energy for it. Your friends and fam may be looking at you funny if you mention where you're headed when the thermometer outside is reaching the triple digits... So is it worth it? Short answer= YES. Here are just a few reasons it is:

Better acclimate to the heat outside: Your body cools itself most effectively through sweat evaporating off our skin's surface. That means when you leave the yoga room, the outside air will feel cooler than inside! If you practice often, you may even notice that outside heat doesn’t bother you as much as it used to!
Cope more effectively with sweltering weather: During your yoga class, you practice using appropriate coping tools for handling heat- mindful breathing through the nose to keep your nervous system calm, and sitting or lying down to lower your heart rate as needed.
Go deeper: Consistent practice is key to maintaining all the results you achieved during the winter. In summer your muscles, joints and ligaments will already be warm when you enter the studio, so it's likely you'll feel more flexible and can go deeper into the postures. Capitalize on that to make further gains in your joint range of motion, core strength and spinal mobility.
Encourage healthy habits: Bikram yoga will definitely make it clear to you if you're not making the greatest decisions about water and food! Taking class regularly will encourage you to stay well-hydrated and replenish your electrolytes, especially sodium (salt) and potassium. Warmer weather means we all need to hydrate better, so if you're doing Bikram yoga you'll really need to stay on top of it- and you'll get many benefits from doing so!
Shape up for summer recreation: Make time for your yoga practice and enjoy increased endurance for running, biking, pushing a stroller, hiking, or playing other sports outdoors. Building strength and flexibility as you do in class is always helpful too!
Energize: We’ve all had days when the heat makes us feel sleepy and we can’t be bothered to exercise or even get off of that beach towel. But you know: yoga class is a gas station! Committing to regular summer practice will reenergize and save you from that sluggish summer feeling and give you quality time to focus on yourself.

Exercise scientists have been researching the benefits you may already be experiencing! Here's a study that explores how “Exercising in the Heat May Improve Athletic Performance in Cool and Hot Conditions.”

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5 Tips for Bikram Yoga in the Hotness of Summer

8/2/2017

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It's gearing up to be ridiculous here in Portland. The city is setting up "cooling stations," and we are pretty tickled that the temperature outside will actually be hotter than inside our hot room!

Practicing Bikram yoga under especially steamy conditions takes a bit of extra attention and planning, so check out these tips for summer self-care- then come on in and cool down a bit (for a change!)

5 Tips for Bikram Yoga in the Summer

Hydrate. Proper hydration is super important for every physical activity and especially during hot weather. Since you sweat buckets in Bikram yoga, hydration is even more crucial. Hot yogis should drink at 1.5 to 2 times the standard recommended water intake of about 64 oz per day- more when it's also hot outside.
'Lyte it up! Electrolytes are salts and minerals including sodium, potassium, and calcium that your body sweats out along with all that water you drank. Dizziness, headaches, cramping and fatigue can all be symptoms of electrolyte deficiency. We love natural beverages that are low in sugar and come from nature, like coconut water. A mixture of water, sea salt and lemon juice is great to restore a balance of electrolytes and keep you spunky for class.
Nom nom nom. Make sure you nourish your body with whole, healthful foods throughout the day. Everyone is different, but a good place to start is allowing two hours after a light snack or four hours after a heavy meals before you start your yoga practice. Having a full belly does not make yoga more fun.
Take it easy, honey. Only you know how far is right for you to push. When muscles are warm, it’s easier to stretch them- so you might enjoy increased range of motion during summer practice. However, you may also become slightly dehydrated from a long day outdoors in the sun. Back off on intensity as needed. If you ever feel dizzy or ill, take breaks by sitting down or resting in savasana.
Dress for success. Bikram yoga is not the time to be modest! Tight-fitting clothes are best, as looser garments trap heat. Cotton is no good: it won't breathe, and will get soaked and heavy. The more exposed skin, the better your body can cool itself using the evaporation of your sweat. So ditch the leggings and wear some biker shorts and a sports bra. Bonus: you will get to see more of your beautiful amazing body in the mirror! That's right. And if you don't agree that your body is beautiful and amazing? All the more reason to take a closer look during class. Learn to love what you see in here, and swimsuit season will never steal your peace again.

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4 Ways Bikram Yoga Makes Summer Better

6/20/2017

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Well. The sun is (indeed, finally) on it's way home to Portland and (probably!) here to stay for a while... Especially after the long winter we've had, it can be tempting to let summer's adventures take the place of your indoor sweat sessions. But! Stepping up your practice specifically during the warmer months can actually help you maximize enjoyment of everything you do this summer. Here are just 4 ways how:

Deal Better. Not only does your time in the hot room help you deal better with outdoor heat by "teaching" your body to cool itself more efficiently with sweat, it also arms you with the coping tools (focus, concentration and deep breathing) you need to stay chill when temps rise (or when the kids are home with you all day!)
Hydrate Better. Doing Bikram yoga regularly during summer will motivate you to stay well-hydrated, which helps stave off that sluggish hot-day feeling.
Play Better. Bikram yoga is the perfect way to fill your tank with energy by increasing oxygen intake and balancing all systems of your body. By increasing your strength, stamina, balance and co-ordination, your practice gives you the athletic upper hand no matter what summer sport you enjoy- and helps prevent injury, too.
Parent Better. Especially if you have kids, summertime often means less actual free time for attention and care for yourself- yoga class is a time that belongs totally to you. In the room you can forget about everything else and just be, and that's monumental at any time of year. Focusing attention on yourself for only 90 minutes just a few times a week will make you better prepared to care joyfully for others, as much as your life requires.

Now that you're super pumped to stick with your Bikram yoga routine this summer, we've got just the thing to keep you on track: the BYSJ Summer Challenge! Find out details here...

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VIDEO: Why Judy and Alex practice yoga all summer

6 Reasons to Do Your Bikram Yoga This Summer

5 Tips for Bikram Yoga in the Hotness of Summer

4 Ways Bikram Yoga Makes Summer Better

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