Two-time member of Canadian National Junior Hockey Team
At the end of last season I had incredibly tight hip flexors and a strained lower back. My sister introduced me to yoga and I immediately found the benefits of the hot room enhanced my ability to loosen up. I was able to feel the heat faciliate a deeper stretch than I was used to and helped to release a great deal of muscular tension that I was holding in several areas of my body.
In addition, the emphasis on alignment has had a surprising impact on my posture and spinal curve. Prior to attending my first Moksha class I respected the benefits of yoga but was never interested in the chanting and spiritual aspects that I assumed were present in yoga classes.
At the Moksha London studio I realized that each student was there for their own personal reasons, whether they be physical, mental, or spiritual, and the teachers and Moksha class could embrace each of these needs without impinging on the other students reasons for taking yoga.
Over the last four months I have integrated yoga classes into my weekly training routines and untilized the stretches I learned both before and after workouts, on and off the ice. After the first month of training camp I realized that this was the first year I completed the entire pre-season training without experiencing any muscular strain or pulls. I attribute a great deal of this to my yoga training over the summer and plan to continue with my practice throughout the season.
I have always had an interest in trying yoga but never really seized the opportunity to learn more until I came to the Moksha studio last winter. I immediately felt that it could benefit me. The hot yoga classes helped me deal with not only the physical stress of training for marathons but also the mental stress of everyday life. Starting out just practicing once every week or two, I now practice almost every day. I prepared for my last marathon in Rio by spending between 1½ - 2 hours in the hot room everyday for about 3 weeks before the race and the results speak for themselves. I ran 3:06:52 ” in Rio compared to 3:18:36 ” 5 weeks earlier in the Forest City Marathon. I have never been able to train so effectively without suffering injuries. Yoga provides great flexibility and strength training as well as conscious breathing and mental focus. I feel like I am in the best shape of my life and I’m still improving. I love hot yoga!!!
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Brian Groot
I work in the fitness industry and am a very athletic and active 31 year old. I didn’t think there was much that I could do to add to my fitness regime, until I was introduced to Moksha. I was very hesitant to try yoga, thinking that it was probably too easy and low-key for me. I was amazed. While the Moksha series is designed for people at all levels, I was astonished at how challenging it was for me. I had sustained a number of serious injuries through athletics over the years: a broken femur, elbow, ankle, and foot to name a few. The effects of the injuries are developing into osteoarthritis in a variety of joints. When I first came to yoga I could barely kneel. I also realized that my flexibility needed huge improvement. After practicing for only a year, the difference is incredible. I’ve experienced amazing improvements in joint mobility, flexibility, and range of motion. I also find that Moksha requires intense focus and concentration, something I’ve been able to translate to the other activities and areas of my life. These benefits have positively affected so many things from hockey and weight training to just being a more relaxed person. I would encourage anyone who ever thought yoga was easy to give it a try – they’ll be amazed.
I am an entrepreneur with a North American business in a highly competitive technology sector. I live a very busy life and am consumed with my work all the time. When not working I think about work and the things I have to get done. I live with constant stress and tension that has manifested itself in a variety of physical and emotional ailments over the years.
I began practicing hot yoga regularly in November 2002 and since that time my life has changed. Literally. I am more self-aware and have learned to listen to my body. I am able to concentrate longer and more deeply. I am able to detach myself from things and let them go in moments where I used to hold on for hours or days. Physically, I am stronger, my balance is much improved and my flexibility elevated. Moreover, the vast majority of the aches and pains have minimized or disappeared altogether.
Hot yoga is helping me to push the outer limits of what I can accomplish mentally and physically. It forces me to look at myself, and in the end, that's where all the stress, tension and judgment come from in the first place.
Eric Yuzpe
Vice President
Kaboose Inc.
When I first started at Moksha I was overweight, insecure, and unsure of my direction. I had heard about this "hot yoga" from a few people and I decided to check it out. I was very nervous for my first class, I didn't know if I would fit in. I was greatful to discover that upon
arrival I was greeted by some of the nicest, most genuine women I had ever met. I was immediately welcomed. My first class was very intense, and I LOVED it! The best part was that I didn't feel like I was behind the rest of the group, or that I was not as good as everyone else. I did not feel judged by those around me. It felt like a very personal experience, and the instructor was there every step of the way urging everyone to go at their own pace and listen to your own body. After my first class I felt so alive, awakened, exhilarated. I felt like I had just accomplished something (and I had)! I started out doing one class per week, but I wanted more. Going to Moksha Yoga is so much different than just going to the gym or running. It didn't feel like a chore to me, it felt like something I needed and wanted to do. I was not only making my body fit, but I felt like it was helping me really get to know
and understand my true self. I liked taking that time in the day to quiet my thoughts, and focus my energy into doing something so good for me. I finally felt full. My journey with Moksha, and my practice in yoga has truly been an experience that has changed me for the better. It has made me want to improve my life, improve my self, and live the best life I can.... for me. I have lost almost 50 pounds since the beginning of this journey, but the best part is that it wasn't even about that. The weight loss was just the result of my journey. I will be forever greatful and indebted to the many incredible people I have met during my time at Moksha Yoga, without them I would never have had the courage to even start. I am now looking forward to making this a part of my life everyday. This was truly the discovery I was looking for, and I am so greatful to have finally found it.
Thank you.
Christa
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When I first tried Hot yoga, I was blown away by the intensity of it. It was such a perfect challenge for the mind and the body. As a training actor, Hot yoga has helped me be aware of my body, move consciously, focusing the mind, finding stillness, staying centered. After my first class, I was absolutely hooked. I love how each class is a challenge. I love how the challenge brings growth. I love how the growth brings peace.
When I started, my mind was so quick and active, and my life was taking that form too. With hot yoga, I started to take the yoga out of the studio and into my daily life. I am more focused and try to remain in the present as I am talking to people, truly listening. I now use the 'letting go' that we do after a posture in my day-to-day life. When I feel frustrated or angry with something, I just let the frustration wash away, and start with a clean slate.
I also look for that joy in things that I do that seem tedious, or boring or frustrating. And of course, I am more aware of my physical state, and am less abusive to my body. I give it food it wants, not something that will fill some other kind of void. I just feel a lot healthier, more energized. I feel like I am using my potential rather than burying it.
All I can say is that I love it. I feel so grateful for my practice, because I feel it's saved my life.
Serena
I was diagnosed with Bipolar Disorder three years ago. I take a combination of medications that help me manage my moods. But it is really practicing Hot Yoga that has enabled me to manage my illness. I started practicing Hot Yoga two years ago. I have experienced difficult side-effects from various medications, including weight gain, apathy and difficulty waking up. Aside from helping me control my weight, practicing Hot has helped me to motivate myself when I am feeling apathetic, and slow down when I am feeling manic. It also helps when I am feeling down. Through practicing Hot - I quit smoking (used to be a pack a day) and stopped shopping (used to be a thousand dollars or so per trip); two unhealthy addictions that often come along with manic depression.
I have come to see the practice as a microcosm of my life, in that if I can get through difficult postures I can try my best to get through difficult days with the same focus and optimism.
Taking up the practice was challenging at first, but it has become nurturing and fulfilling. I would recommend Hot Yoga to anyone as a stress management tool, an anxiety management tool, and an overall great addition to any mental health program.
All the best to you. Namaste.
Unexplained emotional intensity, lack of confidence, sleepless nights and hot flashes are only a few of the challenges that menopause has presented to me. On some days a simple decision can be as challenging as programming my new cell phone! On some days nothings seems to be clear.
About 6 months ago my daughters introduced me to Hot Yoga and my life took a different turn. Standing for 90 minutes and looking into my eyes has given me the opportunity to feel my own strength. Each day the yoga presents new challenges that I am shocked my body has met. There were so many postures that I was sure my 56-year- old body would never be able to do. It was a slow process but gradually, I started to strengthen and my muscles started to stretch. My hot flashes slowly diminished and are now gone. Both the chronic pain in my toe and that in my shoulder have disappeared. All these benefits have given me a great sense of confidence and a feeling that I am invincible.
On top of all these physical benefits, and the confidence that accompanies them, I find I sleep better. And best of all I feel more connected to my personal abilities. I highly recommend that every woman experiencing these menopausal times try at least a few classes to see how they go. The rewards are astounding.
Janet Robertson, Teacher
I will get straight to the point. I was molested as a child and raped when I was in grade 9, and by the age of 15 a childhood friend had been murdered and my best friend had committed suicide. To say the least times were tough.
Most of the time the toughest challenge was just getting out of bed. Sleepless nights filled with anxiety and fear made mornings overwhelming. Some days I physically was unable to get up out of bed.
In the thick of my depression I found Hot Yoga. I went into class skeptical and came out wide-eyed and hopeful. It was the first time my mind had stopped thinking and spinning for as long as I could remember. My body and mind felt amazing. I became completely hooked. I started sleeping through the nights, waking up well rested, began being interested in trying new things. I even became excited to wake up.
Not only did Hot Yoga keep me from drowning but it made me fly above the waves. To anyone who feels depressed, tired, uninspired, etc, I so suggest you try this. I truly don't think I would be here today if I hadn't found this yoga.
Anonymous, Toronto
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