Hot yoga gives me the physical challenge I gained from a life of disco dancing…
I’d tried yoga a handful of times in my life, but it wasn’t until I retired and a friend introduced me to hot yoga at Soul Fire Studios that I became truly hooked.
It was difficult to adapt to the heat at first, so I started slowly with one class a week until I could build up. Now, I love the extra challenge that the heat brings and I’m able to do two or three classes a week. While I’m starting to get arthritis in my joints, it’s important for me to keep moving. I’ve always been active – I enjoyed sports when I was younger and I rode my bicycle to work until I was 60.
I’ve been a disco dancer for most of my life. I used to be able to leap into the air and touch my feet, land on my back, leap up and keep on dancing. I can’t imagine ever being able to do that now, but hot yoga still gives me a way to push myself physically and stay fit as a 71-year-old.
To be able to hold poses and balances is very rewarding for me at my age. On a bad day when I’ve had some time away or I’m not feeling as strong or balanced, it can be frustrating. I’ve been close to tears some days when I just can’t hold the poses, but what I’ve learned is that our bodies need different things on different days. It’s a natural ebb and flow. Some days I can stand on my head with my legs against the wall, other days I need to step back and take it slow.
Beyond the physical benefits, Soul Fire Studios provides me with the chance to be part of a community and chat with like minded people. It’s a lovely, friendly atmosphere. It’s very beneficial for me to have a space I can come to and be in a classroom with all these other people practicing yoga and making time for themselves and their health.
I wear hearing aids. Sometimes if I’m in a certain position and I can’t hear what the teacher is saying, I’m able to follow my classmates. We do it together and they help to guide me through.
Four years after I was introduced to Soul Fire Studios and my hot yoga practice, I haven’t looked back. It’s something I’ll continue to make a part of my routine for as long as I can.
