When one thinks of the practice of yoga, typically one thing comes to mind. I know it did for me before I got involved with the practice of hot yoga. When I thought of yoga, I envisioned people stretching, singing Ohmmmm, doing impossible poses like crow and dancing shiva, and generally not getting a whole lot of cardio but plenty of muscle and balance work.

Well I’m here to tell you that perception was more than a little off. Although not totally off the mark in certain ways, yoga is so much more, especially if you join the right studio and they happen to teach a method that really resonates with you. I was lucky enough to have this combination of circumstances when I was the happy guest of my cousin a couple years ago at a studio near where I live in Copley Ohio - it's the Yoga Bliss Studio in Fairlawn (Akron area). Related: Is Staying Odor Free for Hours with a Natural Deodorant Possible?

What Matters Most: The Studio Environment, The Teachers, The Method

Truthfully, up until then I had attended random yoga classes with different people and although I didn’t mind it, it also wasn’t exactly “my thing”. Some of the studios I had visited frankly seemed a little pretentious. Or the method of practice really didn’t feel like something I liked or could get good at. The list goes on, but suffice it to say yoga wasn’t something I could see myself getting addicted to (like I am today).

That all changed when I visited this studio though. Although the practice was hard, and there were certain points where I couldn’t wait for it to over, I found that I felt really great afterwards. My body felt sufficiently stretched, but also really “worked”.

The “Hot” Factor

Add to that the fact that the intense heat and the profuse sweating that occurs really help to detox your body. They also really help you to be more flexible. Warm muscles are MUCH more flexible than muscles that are cold and need to be warmed. I also found it easier to breathe in a hot studio.

I have asthma, and even when I was going through a bout where my asthma returned, breathing was easy for me in the hot studio, whereas I found it hard to physically exert myself in a normal room temperature environment. So I highly recommend hot yoga to those with asthma or other respiratory issues. Related: Infrared Saunas – Sweating it Out Good for the Skin?

The Method : Baptiste is Awesome!

The type of yoga that is taught at this studio is Baron Baptiste’s power yoga. It is basically a very dynamic (you move a lot) form of yoga that is also repetitive in nature. You essentially do several sets of the same repetitive motions, varying in speed and time the poses are held. It’s a great way to work out for a full hour or more without even realizing all that time has passed.

The first few times I practiced, I was shocked at how quickly it all seemed to be over. There were moments where I thought I couldn’t go on any longer due to the sheer strength that was needed to hold the pose, however I felt so powerful and strong – and yes, even beautiful and graceful, after I was able successfully do it.

I definitely experienced some soreness from muscles that I didn’t even realize I had, being used in ways I had never used them. That felt really good. I also happened to love the instructor’s energy and her playlist of music was so eclectic, not what you would consider traditional yoga music although some of that was sprinkled in.

The combination of music, combining breath with movement, the energy in the room and of the instructor and the other yogis, and the power and grace of the movements that seemed to flow seamlessly into one another really had a potent effect. I could see how people would choose this practice as their main mode of physical fitness and never look back. I couldn't believe how much better I could control my breath. Breath is incredibly important, and we don't even realize how much we forgot to breathe deeply in our every day lives.  In a word I was HOOKED.

The Benefits of Hot Yoga – You Get More Than You Bargained For

Over the long term, I realized that hot yoga has imparted so much more than physical strength, agility, balance and grace. It has actually boosted my overall confidence. Somehow, I feel “smarter” from making this a regular practice in my life. There is definitely something that happens to your mind and brain from practicing regularly.

My theory on the reason behind this unexpected benefit is this. The repetitious movement requires your brain to really synch with your body. It also allows your mind to completely detach from the racing thoughts that tend to happen every day that you’re not even aware of.

These competing thoughts really take away the ability to focus and think clearly. Focusing only on the repetitious movements, synching your brain with your body, really helps to clear the mind. It is almost like a form of meditation, but only you are moving throughout the whole meditation.

I feel like this really frees up the brain to be able to do a couple of things more efficiently. Focus is first. I am able to focus much more efficiently when presented with tough tasks at work where I really need to buckle down and problem solve.

Add to this the fact that it is one of the best stress-busters out there, and you’ve got a recipe for genius-like performance! Ok that may be a bit of an exaggeration. But you will definitely notice over time that you have better memory retention and focus because it’s so good at relieving excess stress, anxiety and tension. All that nervous energy is banished. Related: How Managing Stress Levels Can Slow the Aging Process

Confidence is second - This is the really unexpected benefit

My confidence levels in not only the strength of my body but the strength of my mind increased dramatically from hot yoga practice. This confidence transcends into numerous facets of my life, including my day job and my side business.

Granted, sometimes confidence comes with age, and I’m now 46 years old quickly going on 47. So I could attribute some of this new confidence to that. However, I noticed the steady increase in confidence as I practiced yoga more, and specifically, as I got better at it. I never expected to master certain poses like the Crow pose. But I did.

And once I really got the hang of it, it felt like a proud achievement to be able to hang in the pose for longer periods of time. This kind of stuff seems small but it really adds to your sense of accomplishment and self-worth.

Spiritual Peace

Hot yoga has really helped me through some difficult and highly stressful times. I felt at peace while in the studio, and even had some breakthrough moments where the emotions it let out of me were so intense, I let a few tears come out. But it was all good because no one can tell you shed a tear or two when your face is red and sweaty with exertion