Welcome To Destin Hot Yoga!
Welcome to our studio, we are a community based studio. We are the most awarded yoga studio on the Emerald Coast, offering an extensive yoga schedule with the most talented teachers in the area. The environment at Destin Hot Yoga is open, friendly and supportive. We value each client and do our best to create a community where everyone is encouraged to have their best personal yoga experience. To make that experience possible in a group setting, here are answers to some of the questions you may have:
What is Yoga?
Yoga literally means “union” and “balance”. It is a union of the body, mind, and spirit. You connect your mind, body and spirit through your breath (pranayama), which is why we place a big emphasis on breathing throughout the classes. The body is the vehicle to access your emotions. Based on a foundation of ethical standards (yamas) and self-discipline (niyamsas), yoga postures and breathing help you to heal both physically and emotionally. When you get to know your body better, you can live a more fulfilled life, making better choices on how you treat yourself. Everyone’s yoga journey is different, but in general as we teach the mind to approach the body with kind, compassionate, and non-judgmental thoughts, the body responds favorably.
Yoga is a challenging and non-competitive form of exercise. As you practice more and more, you will learn how to work within your boundaries. It is important to take it easy in the beginning and remember straining will not expedite your practice but will only impede it. If you cannot breathe normally, you are pushing too hard and need to back off. Remember, breathing is your best friend in yoga and in life.
I’m not very flexible, can I do yoga?
Contrary to popular belief, being flexible isn’t a prerequisite for practicing yoga! Many times you are either very strong or very flexible, yoga helps to balance both your strength and flexibility. Some people are born naturally flexible, others have to work a little longer to attain their optimum range of motion. A regular yoga practice will definitely increase your flexibility. However, flexibility isn’t yoga’s only goal or its only benefit. The ultimate benefit of yoga — to promote radiant health inside and out — can be experienced by everyone, regardless of whether or not they can touch their toes!
Why do you heat the room?
At Destin Hot Yoga, we have infrared heat panels for efficient and healing heating. The heat mimics the radiation from the sun and warms your body from the inside out. This helps to warm your muscles for greater flexibility and safe stretching. The heat provides a more cardiovascular workout and promotes sweating as your body reacts to the heat, you sweat and detoxify your body. Since the skin is the body’s largest organ, sweating helps eliminate toxins and impurities through the pores. It also speeds up the breakdown of glucose and fatty acids which can assist in weight loss. Hot yoga increases blood flow bringing oxygen and nutrients to every cell and removing waste products. Many people have reported that hot yoga has lowered their blood pressure, stress levels and increases energy levels and restful sleep.
Our heat panels are controlled by zones in the room, so if you think you may be sensitive to the heat, please let the teacher know and set up your mat by the door. We also have several warm and non-heated classes and workshops if you don’t think you will like the heat. Please check our schedule for the most up to date information on classes.
I have an injury, should I try yoga?
Yoga has been around for over 5000 years and many eastern doctors recommend yoga to heal particular injuries and health conditions. It has proven therapeutic benefits when carefully practiced. Speak to your instructor before class if you have an injury or other on-going physical concerns. He or she will then be able to modify or avoid certain postures based on your injury.
How do I prepare for class?
Please don’t eat a big meal at least 2 hours before class. It’s best to practice on an empty or nearly empty stomach. If it’s been many hours since your last meal, a light snack such as fruit, or energy shake is suggested.
Please, please, please be well hydrated. Especially when the Florida weather is humid, you will naturally sweat a lot and need to drink plenty of water, coconut juice or electrolyte enhanced beverages in the hours leading up to class. Monitor your level of hydration by the light, almost clear color of your urine.
What should I wear to class?
Choose something that doesn’t restrict your movement but that isn’t so loose-fitting that it will get in your way. Moisture wicking materials are best. Yoga is practiced barefoot. Please leave your shoes on the floor outside the practice room. Wearing socks is not recommended, but you may leave your socks on if you wish. There is a dressing room and bathroom available at the studio for your convenience. And we sell both Jiva and Onzie activewear at the studio if you have forgotten anything.
What should I bring into the class?
- open mind
- yoga mat
- towel
- water bottle
If you don’t have a yoga mat or towel – no problem! We rent mats, towels for $2 each. We also sell smart water for $3 each. Also available for purchase are Manduka yoga mats, blocks, straps and yoga towels specifically designed for hot yoga classes.
Everything else should remain in the cubbies we provide in the front area of the studio. Absolutely no cell phones are allowed in the studio practice room out of respect for your fellow practitioners.
How often should I practice yoga?
The more yoga you do, the more positive changes you’ll notice, but you can benefit from as little as one class a week. Some students practice every day. Ideally, we recommend you try for an average of three classes a week. During your unlimited introductory package, you should try to come as many times as you can to really see the positive changes quickly.
When I look around the room, I feel like I’m the only one who is not able to do some of the postures, should I be concerned? Will I be holding more advanced people back?
Our friendly instructors are all 200+ hour trained and have many years of experience teaching all levels of students. They can teach students of varying levels of ability and experience within the same class and are careful to maintain a supportive learning environment in which everyone can feel comfortable working at their own level. You will learn not to compare yourself with others as you continue your yogis journey, so keep that in mind when you are starting out, accept what you can do and keep practicing to get deeper into your practice.
Our teachers make sure everyone in class beginners as well as advanced practitioners can participate within their own ability. They may be demonstrating how to modify a challenging pose by using various props or giving you a hands-on adjustment in the course of teaching the entire group. You should always feel free to ask your teacher for additional help or clarification if you need it. They’re happy to help!
What to do after class?
HYDRATE! Please make sure to drink water, coconut water or electrolyte enhanced beverages. You may experience temporary soreness because yoga balances and tones your body by using all your muscles and joints through a great range of motion. As you begin your yoga practice, you may be using muscle groups you haven’t used in a very long time. Just know that as you continue to practice, you will awaken these parts of your body and the soreness should diminish over time. Take a warm bath in Epsom salts and essential oils. We sell DoTerra Deep Blue Rub at the studio which works wonders on sore muscles and joints. Please come back the next day!
What if I have more questions?
Our front desk staff at Destin Hot Yoga is always available during business hours to answer any basic questions you might have. The owners are also available to give you more in-depth answers to all of your yoga-related questions. You can drop by the front desk, call 850.547.6133 or send your questions to: Info@destinhotyoga.com
**Ages 17 and up allowed to practice in heated space, 16 and under are welcome to enjoy a non-heated class**