Yoga & Pilates · Gerrards Cross · Est. 2017

The Yoga Hook - Blog

Over 10 Years of Insight

Yoga And Mental health

How does yoga help mental health?

Various studies have proven that dynamic yoga and Pilates produces stress-busting chemicals in our brains, including endorphins, endocannabinoids, dopamine and adrenaline. Movement also increases the oxygen supply to your brain.

Endorphins help alleviate pain, lower stress, improve mood and enhance the sense of well-being.

Dopamine and Adrenaline are known to enhance alertness.

Endocannabinoids play a huge role in lowering stress and the proper function of the reproductive system.

Each yoga class has breath weaved in, in the form of pranayama and throughout the movement practice. Savasana at the end integrates the entire practice.

The feeling of leaving a gym session or any other form of exercise is undoubtedly different to that of leaving a yoga class because we regulate and bring in hormones like Serotonin, Thyroid and Melatonin in balance.

Also, we are social beings, we blossom in the company of others and learn from each other, make connections useful for professional and personal life.

GROUP CLASSES have a lot more to offer other than chemicals, which contributes to our well-being.

Hot yoga - what?

Hot yoga is a hatha yoga practice. All yoga is hatha yoga because the literal translation of hatha is the placement of hand and foot. In the western world we have come to understand that Hatha yoga is take time to get into the posture, stay in the pose and come out mindfully and carefully.

Our hot yoga is inspired by Bikram yoga. We have taken our own twist on it but generally follows the principle of 26 yoga postures. These are designed with utmost care to move the spine, strengthen the spine, work through and balance and stretching. The sequence is designed in a progressive manner.

Hot yoga is done in a hot room, temperature between 32 and 35 degrees and certain amount of humidity is introduced into the room.

Hot Yoga - Why?

Classes done in a hot room helps you to detoxify, you will stay hydrated before the class and after class and drink only small sips during the class. You will sweat lots. But the main benefit according to me are your joints and muscles are warm from the very beginning. This allows you to stretch more deeply. This also means less chances of injury.

Another main benefit is you sleep like a rock, this is my own observation but also an observation of a client who kept a sleep diary.

Some studies suggest that it helps with arthritis.

It is also proven to help with hot flashes during menopause. I know it sounds counter intuitive but it is true.

In addition, it teaches adversity passes just like the cold exposure, this is the other side of the coin. It also bring all the other benefits such as moving meditation, calming and a dose of social interaction.