Hot (Downward) Dog
Farah Master catches up with "hot yoga" devotee Wendy. She tells us why you can’t beat the heat.
HK Magazine: Why hot yoga instead of the more traditional hatha or ashtanga?
Wendy Wyvill: I love hot yoga as it warms up my body enough to go deeply and safely into the poses. It provides a wonderful detox on so many levels - mental, physical, and so on. It is a very healing process, detoxifying your joints. Hot yoga is how it would be practiced in India, in the hot weather.
HK: Is it true you can’t drink water during the session?
WW: No, that’s not true at all. You can drink as much water as you like, although it’s better to be hydrated before you come to class. Drinking during the class is less effective because it takes time for the water to work through your body. If you drink a lot during class, it will just sit in your stomach and can give you cramps or make you feel bloated.
HK: How sweaty do you get?
WW: You’re totally wet by the end.
HK: How do you feel after the class?
WW: Wonderful. Really like a new person. I feel very alive and refreshed.
HK: What do you say to people who think hot yoga is harmful?
WW: No, its not. Any physical activity can be dangerous but unless you have any serious health problems, it’s fine: 99.9 percent of injuries occur when people push too hard and don’t listen to their bodies. Always remember to breathe, take the poses step by step and listen to your body.
HK: Is it suitable for beginners?
WW: It’s great beginners’ practice, and it’s great for injuries too. The heat enables the postures to be very static and so there is not a lot of quick movement.