What is hot yoga? Well, it is just like it sounds, yoga practiced in a hot environment. Popularized by Bikram yoga in the 70s, hot yoga happens in a room that ranges from 90 – 105 degrees with 40 – 60 % humidity.
While most people know the benefits of yoga, practicing in a warmer room can increase flexibility, muscle-building, body-toning, reduce stress, detoxify, help with weight loss, and reduce pain. With astounding physical and mental benefits, according to the Cleveland Clinic, practicing hot yoga also improves bone density, eases depression, and provides a unique cardiovascular boost in our bodies.
While studying Public Health at the University of North Florida, our Yogi, Berta Pono, discovered Bikram yoga classes and found that hot yoga uniquely transformed her body and spine. Berta began practicing yoga in 2013 to ease the stress of exams and alleviate back pain from years of poor posture due to playing the piano and quickly became addicted to the practice.
Berta completed her yoga teacher training course in 2017 and continued studying with well-known instructors in the yoga community. In the Fall of 2024, Berta completed the Original Hot Yoga training in Chicago, Illinois, and incorporates the practice when she leads classes at drug rehabilitation centers and grade schools in Jacksonville as well as at the JCA.
Follow this link to register today, first-ever Hot Yoga class at the JCA happens at 1 pm on Sunday, May 18. Mark your calendars, get hydrated, don’t forget a towel or two, and join us for an incredible experience with Berta Pono.
