Elise Hawthorne
Twelve months ago, I tried hot Bikram yoga for the first time, and I haven’t looked back. It helps that the yoga studio Bikram Yoga Inner West has experienced teachers who guided me through my initial hesitance. Newcomers are warmly welcomed, which makes all the difference when starting a new form of exercise.
Bikram Yoga Inner West was founded in 2011 by the delightful and talented Bikram teacher Jen MacLachlan. She has always had a keen interest in movement and the body, studying contemporary dance over in the UK before relocating to Sydney in 2000. With a stressful corporate career, Jen went back into yoga seriously in 2006, ditching the corporate world for full-time yoga.
Jen offers a modern and unique approach to Bikram yoga and a progressive approach to Vinyasa yoga, coupled with creative sequencing, a wonderful soundscape and a wealth of knowledge on the body, injury and modifications. You’re sure to feel her powerful and innovative edge as a yoga teacher. You’re also guaranteed to feel safe and secure in her yoga space and will leave feeling lighter, empowered, with knowledge and mental strength. She teaches a class connecting closely to breath, and blends knowledge of meditation, music, asana and pranayama.
The lesson are taught in a room heated to 30-34 degrees Celsius, which is not hot, just warm.
Most classes are an hour in length; all you need is a yoga mat, a bottle of water and a towel. I average three classes a week, and the difference it has made to my body has been dramatic. You name it, and I’ve had massive improvements in the areas of flexibility, strength, muscle tone, posture, weight loss – the lot. I’m now a dedicated fan of this gentle yet strenuous form of exercise.
There early morning classes for the early riser such as myself, mid-morning classes for the lucky people who work from home, parents caring for young children and the retiree set. Also available are the late afternoon, evening and weekend classes. I mix it up a little as Bikram Yoga Inner West offers a variety of types of yoga, outlined below, starting with Hot 60, my favourite.
Hot 60
Our hot 60 class has a lot of
familiar poses that you would have practised in a traditional Bikram yoga
class, but this is 60 minutes. Something
similar but different, and just the same fabulous workout but for those of us
who have less time available. Suitable for beginners or advanced practitioners.
60 minutes in duration.
Bikram 90
Our traditional and class 90
minute Bikram yoga class. Taught only by Bikram certified instructors. Bikram
yoga is a Hatha based yoga sequence with two breathing exercises and 26 poses.
Fabulous for everyone, whether you are a beginner or an advanced yogi. 90
minutes in duration.
Hot Vinyasa 60
Our Vinyasa flow 60 is a dynamic,
fun and challenging class. A great work out with music, working through
warriors and chaturanga alongside asana and yogic methods in a safe
environment. In our vinyasa we are going to work close to the breath and
alignment, these classes are for all levels. 60 minutes in duration.
Inferno Hot Pilates
Our Hot Pilates class is High
Intensity (low impact) Interval Training (HIIT) with Pilates elements, set to
fun music that combines cardio and muscle toning in a heated room. Pilates
principles help sculpt your body, create long lean muscle mass and improve
muscle strength.
The Tabata interval training technique is used throughout this class, which works to increase the body’s anaerobic and aerobic capacity. Each class is different but uses the same principles.
The class is conducted in a room heated 30-34 degrees Celsius with a humidity of 40%. It’s high energy, upbeat and you’ll get one of the best workouts you’ve ever had. These classes are suitable for all levels of fitness from beginners through to regular students and is a fabulous complement to your yoga practice.
Hatha Flow
Generally, a lunchtime class to
stretch and restore. Working through some yoga asana and some slow flow to gain
our strength and mental clarity, or perhaps working on the floor to stretch
through some larger muscle groups. This class for everyone and focused very
much on the breath. Leave feeling super cleansed.
Yin Yoga
Time to take a step back. Yin yoga is simple, and beautiful practice but not always easy. Poses are kept for longer holds and periods could be possibly 3 or 5 or 7 minutes. Specifically targeting our joints, bones and ligaments and working into our networks of connective tissues and muscles. Expect to feel challenged as you stretch out but leave feeling light, energised and wondrous.
For more information visit: Bikram Yoga Inner West, you won’t regret it: www.bikramyogainnerwest.com.au
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