Words: Saijal Chauhan
A JOURNEY TOWARDS HEALING
Whilst looking for something that incorporated exercise and detoxification, the practice of hot yoga was appealing. Suffering from eczema for over 30 years, I had trialled a number of conventional treatments and medication as well as holistic remedies and therapies. One of the most noticeable benefits I had observed was through the process of excess sweating experienced, for example, whilst in a sauna. So, when I heard about yoga in a heated room, it had to be tried. Moreover, I was aware that the practice of yoga itself was also very beneficial.
The ancient practice of yoga as an exercise has shown to have profound physiological benefits that then positively impacts mental and emotional health. As science begins to appreciate the mind-body connection, yoga has become a well-recognised practice for reducing stress and improving wellbeing. Asanas is a form of yogic practice involving certain postures. The practice of asanas removes distortions of the physical body and brings it into discipline and balance.
THE DAUNTING START TO HOT YOGA
The initial experience of hot yoga was pretty daunting for me as it took a couple of sessions just to get used to the intense heat and sweating during a 75-minute class. Not everyone tolerates such heat, and it is always advisable to drink plenty of water before attending. However, after the first difficulties, it became easier to sit through the class and start actually doing the asanas, allowing the body to sweat and cool it down.
I persevered with the early challenges to see what results I could attain. Regular attendance to weekly sessions allowed my skin to cleanse and release toxins. As I got familiar with the sequence of asanas, my discipline increased. In time, the heat became less overwhelming, and the focus was then turned towards learning and improving each individual posture.
BUILDING FOCUS AND RESILIENCE
Maintaining focus required concentration and determination, and these aspects strengthened considerably over time as losing concentration and mental distraction would cause me to come out of balance or alignment and, therefore, fall out of a pose. Keeping a “one-pointed” focus helped interrupt wasteful energy and thoughts, making me more present and mindful.
During a time when personal circumstances had affected my mental health, this allocated time to practice enabled me to switch off or zone out from worries and concerns and just concentrate on myself. This “moving meditation” helped to process negative emotions and concerns, therefore elevating my mood and giving me a sense of fulfilment, especially after manageing to complete a whole session.
TRANSFORMATION BEYOND THE MAT
My practice has taught me to get comfortable with discomfort so as to push past my boundaries. Getting out of my comfort zone has helped to build mental and physical resilience and reap benefits way beyond what I had anticipated.
The physical practice has led me to better understand my emotional state and improve my spiritual outlook. When my outer world has often been uncertain and ever-changing, the need for consistency by showing up to regular practice enables stability in my life.
The practice provides me with an environment of no judgment and encourages me to be kind and compassionate towards myself first.
PHYSICAL AND EMOTIONAL BENEFITS
The directors of the studio have observed similar benefits in their students, explaining how “many have found the practice helps manage stress and enhance mental clarity,” contributing to a deep sense of relaxation and calmness.
Research has shown yoga to be a comprehensive system of moving meditation, which involves movement, breath, and mindfulness, therefore cultivating positive mental health. Yoga helps to reduce the “stress” hormone cortisol, which spikes during times of increased stress. This increase leads to all sorts of bodily dysfunctions such as high blood pressure, digestive system shutdown, and sleep deprivation.
Sleeping well is important in allowing the body to replenish and restore, and this was something I had been struggling with for years. The regular practice of hot yoga brought about many benefits, including improvements in my sleep and balancing my hormones, therefore regulating my menstrual cycle and calming down any eczema exacerbations prior to a period. The added benefit of intense sweating purifies the body, thus nourishing and improving skin tone. In time, I started noticing an improvement in my eczema and the overall appearance of my skin. The detoxification process was happening, and blocked pores from years of using strong creams and steroids were now starting to unclog. The skin was healing and rejuvenating well. On a deeper level, the release of toxins felt like I was releasing a lot of negativity and emotional baggage. I felt good and motivated to continue with the practice. I came to realise that this holistic approach to my health encompassed all aspects of who I am, moving beyond the notion that my physical suffering is “skin deep.”
Gently letting go of any resistance within the body and mind has allowed me to move to the flow of practice on the mat and the flow of life off the mat. This form of self-care has led to a journey of self-discovery, allowing insights and a deeper understanding of myself, enabling the outward physical healing to enhance and accelerate my own inward healing process.
THE ROLE OF BREATHWORK AND POSTURE
The session starts and ends with a breathing exercise. The breathing carried out at the beginning allows the lungs to expand and maximise the exchange of oxygen and carbon dioxide. In combination with some of the chest and heart-opening asanas, I observed a noticeable improvement in my lung capacity and general asthma after practising these breathing exercises — this was a gain I was not expecting.
he “classic” hot yoga session has a sequence of standing and spinal/ lying-down postures, all with their individual advantages. Many of the standing asanas involve engageing the core to protect the lower back. For me, the process went one step further so that I would focus on the correlating chakra of the solar plexus. Concentrating on this allowed me to let go of stuck emotions in this area and “just be,” hence moving to the subtle flow of each posture and surrendering to the process.
When doing the triangle posture, I imagined a “shaft of light” passing down into my sacral and root chakras, helping to strengthen the physical foundations. Metaphorically, for me, this built up to a more centred approach to life, having better awareness of my emotions, leading to more balance and stability. The spine strengthening series was particularly beneficial in helping to strengthen my lower back and reduce pain. Studies have shown specific yogic asanas to improve bone density in the spine.
INSIGHTS AND TEACHER SUPPORT
A personal account from one of the studio directors explains how she alleviated chronic back pain from scoliosis through the practice of hot yoga, giving her a new lease of life and inspiring her to help create the studio for others and the wider community. The directors have observed several benefits in their students, such as enhanced flexibility, strength, and fitness. The feelings of being empowered and refreshed when leaving the class have only motivated students to want to come back for more.
One of the teachers of the studio goes on to explain how rewarding it is to celebrate the achievements of her students, even if it is something as simple as being able to stay in the class and just get used to the heat for the first time. Seeing people become more confident and fulfilled in their own practice has been very joyful for her. Overall, the leaders of the studio have seen a growing community of positivity, which has been life changing for many. They continue to strive for excellence in hot yoga and teaching methods to support the wellbeing of this community, holding a safe space for connecting and supporting one another in their individual journey.
Saijal Chauhan is a Clinical Pharmacist working in GP practice reviewing and prescribing treatments for patients with long term conditions. Contrary to her profession I have had a very holistic approach to my own health, hence her interest in hot yoga.
Leave feedback about this