Gym64 Kirkcaldy are delighted to launch our new class Hot Vinyasa Yoga with Michelle Galloway!

What is Hot Vinyasa Yoga?

Hot Vinyasa Yoga is a flow of constantly moving and flowing sequences of poses practiced in our pre-heated studio. The heat allows your body to stretch more deeply while focusing on working through breath, and on building strength as well as flexibility.

Yoga classes have always been popular, now more than ever mindfulness and mental health is a priority in people’s busy lives. In 2023 we seen the rise of an online presence of all generations participating in more low-impact workouts. In 2024 this is only going to rise more, that’s why, at Gym64 Kirkcaldy, we are launching Hot Vinyasa Yoga to complement our timetable to benefit both our members and non-members in the Fife region.

Hot Vinyasa Yoga is suitable for all abilities including beginners who are welcome to join the class and challenge themselves and start to build strength and flexibility. There are modifications for all poses to allow each individual to participate and go as far as they are able to on that day.

Benefits of doing Hot Vinyasa Yoga include:

Increased Flexibility

Increasing your flexibility will not only benefit regular gym or group fitness users, but everyone for ease in day-to-day life activities. Life is easier when you can bend down to reach something off the floor without breaking your back!

By incorporating heat with our studio reaching above 30 degrees, your body will be warmer allowing you to reach a bigger range of motion to feel the benefits of stretching. Read more from the National Library for Medicine.

Stress Relief and Emotional Wellbeing

• Many studies have now shown yoga to be effective for treating depression (read more) and also highly effective for treating, panic attacks, anxiety and PTSD.
• Tennis star Andy Murray has used Bikram Yoga to get his temper into control as well increasing his focus and self-belief. He credits his success to his Bikram Yoga
• Research has indicated that yoga can boost concentration and memory. Practicing yoga has also be shown to enhance the brain’s executive functions, including cognitive abilities linked to goal-directed behaviour as well as the ability to control knee-jerk emotional responses, and habitual thinking patterns and actions (read more).

It’s no wonder Hot Yoga is becoming increasingly popular!

Greater Lung Capacity and Heart Health

Because Yoga concentrates on breathing techniques and staying mindful of your breaths, you train your lungs to retain more air. The heat will give your heart lungs a harder workout compared to other mindful classes.

Better Bone Mass

Bone density naturally decreases as people age. Aging doesn’t always come easy! but it happens to each and every one of us. Those who go through the menopause lose up to 50 percent of their bone mass, read more from the National Library for Medicine.

Over a 5-year period, perimenopausal people who practised Bikram yoga had increased bone density in their hips, lower back and neck, according to a May 2014 study in Scientific Research. The study concluded that a heated environment reduced the effects of osteoporosis for women by improving circulation, respiration and perspiration.

Improve Sleep Quality

Whether you are suffering from insomnia or simply want to catch more Z’s, Vinyasa Hot Yoga can help you fall asleep faster, as well as remain asleep for longer. The fluid movements and mindful breathing techniques grants better sleep by easing tension in your body and reducing worry in your mind.

Safety tips to keep in mind:

Just like any workout, you need to know how to stay safe and injury-free. Hot yoga can feel overwhelming or too stuffy for beginners, which is why it’s important to ease into it and know what to expect and what to do if you feel overheated or fatigued. Here are a few tips:

• Stay hydrated: Drink water before, during and after class. 
• Tune into your body: You always have the option of stepping out of class to get fresh air and cool down. Yoga teachers want you to feel safe and strong, so taking a break outside the room is encouraged if you need it. 
• Talk to your doctor if you have pre-existing conditions: If you have a history of fainting due to low blood pressure or have a heart condition, make sure you have a conversation with your doctor first. The same applies if you’re pregnant.

Now that everything is covered….

We look forward to welcoming you into practice at Gym64 Kirkcaldy.

Class times are Tuesday 1900-2000 and Sunday 0815-0915 – You can book a block of classes online now!

Let’s work on being our mindfulness and wellness in 2024, at no other place like Gym64!