Diary of an ExSloth

Tales of Food, Fitness & Healthy Living

  • Bloglovin
  • Facebook
  • Google+
  • Instagram
  • Pinterest
  • Twitter
  • Home
  • About
    • Contact
    • Work With Me
  • Blog
  • Recipes
    • Recipe Index
      • All Recipes
      • Breakfast
      • Desserts
      • Drinks
      • Lunch + Dinner
      • Snacks
    • Recipe Roundups
    • Tea Reviews
  • Health
    • Healthy Eating Tips
      • Healthy Baking Substitutions
    • Healthy Living Tips
  • Fitness
    • Fitness Tips
    • Workouts
  • Lifestyle
    • Blogging
    • Favourite Things
    • Quotes + Inspiration
  • Start Here

3 Reasons I’m adding Hot Yoga to my Workout Routine

18 May, 2015 by Giselle Rochford 23 Comments

A couple weeks ago, I was invited to attend an event at my gym, GoodLife Fitness, for the opening of their new Hot Yoga studio. I’ve done hot yoga before so I sort of knew what to expect going in. But I was still a bit apprehensive because the first few times I tried hot yoga weren’t exactly the best. However, this time, I actually enjoyed the session. 

3 reasons I'm adding hot yoga to my workout routine via @ExSloth | ExSloth.com

The first time I went to hot yoga, I was still really new to yoga. Combining my inexperience, the fact that it was power yoga and the overly oppressive heat made for a not so enjoyable experience. But, my yoga practice has grown a lot since then, and I was able to hold my own a lot better this time around. Plus, coming off an insanely long winter, there was no way I was going to complain about the heat. 

After the hour long hot yoga class, we were given light refreshments and a chance to mingle with other students and yoga instructors. It was a fun event and I wish I was able to get pictures, but I didn’t have permission from everyone attending. Luckily, I can do you one better than pictures of infused water, Kind bars and sweaty yogis.

My friends at GoodLife Fitness were kind enough to provide me with a free one month membership, to any of their 300+ locations, to giveaway to one lucky reader. You can enter the giveaway at the very bottom of the post, but first I wanted to share a little bit about why I’m hoping to attend more hot yoga sessions in the future.

3 Reasons I’m adding hot yoga to my #yoga practice

Click To Tweet

1. It’s different

I’ve made no secret of the fact that my workouts have been boring me for the last few months. I fell into a rut sometime around February and wasn’t able to crawl out for a long time. One of my best cures for workout ruts is switching it up, so having hot yoga sessions on my fitness class rotation will go a long way to staving off future boredom.

2. It’s outside my comfort zone

I’m still not terribly confident in my yoga skills. I’m constantly trying new things, and usually failing. Downward dog and child’s pose are my best friends and inversions are so beyond me it’s not funny. To say I find yoga challenging would be an understatement. And hot yoga is even more so. But, I know that my biggest accomplishments happen when I step outside of my comfort zone, so that’s what I’m hoping to do.

3. It’s relaxing

Lifting and cardio help me to destress, but I wouldn’t say they’re relaxing. When I come home from the gym after a workout, I’m exhausted and energized at the same time. I have tension is whatever body part I worked out that day. Then I wake up the next day feeling just a little bit sore. And it’s glorious. Yoga on the other hand, is challenging and requires extreme feats of strength, but it’s a lot more restful. And sometimes I just need to do something a bit more relaxing to help me figure out the mess in my brain; especially now when I have so much uncertainty in my life around graduation, potentially moving and finding a full time job.

The Giveaway:

giveaway

What about you?

Do you remember your first yoga/hot yoga experience? Are you a fan of hot yoga? Why do/don’t you enjoy it? 

Share in the comments below!
signature 4_5_14

 

 

 

Get Social with me on:
Facebook –  Diary of an Ex-Sloth
Twitter – @ExSloth
Pinterest – @ExSloth
Instagram – @ExSloth
Google+ – +GiselleRochford
Bloglovin – Diary of an ExSloth

More Fitness Tips

5 easy changes to help you enjoy exercise more via @ExSloth | ExSloth.com
5 Tips to help you Enjoy Exercising
These 5 fitness apps will help you organize your fitness life, make every workout epic and eventually crush your fitness goals. via @ExSloth | ExSloth.com
5 Types of Fitness Apps to help you Rock your Workout
5 tips to help you achieve your fitness goals this year via @ExSloth | ExSloth.com #fitness
5 Tips to help you actually achieve your fitness goals this year

Follow GiselleR @ Diary of an ExSloth’s board Yoga Workouts + Tips on Pinterest.

Linking up with: #FFavorites, Friday Favourites, Friday Five, Fitness Friday, FYI Friday, #didyouknowlink, #dishthefit

This post was written as part of the GoodLife Fitness Blogger Ambassador Program; however all opinions expressed are my own.

Image: By Наталья Видович (Own work) [CC BY-SA 3.0], via Wikimedia Commons

If you enjoyed this post, you'll love these

  • 5 tips to help you avoid falling into food ruts or get out of them when you do via @ExSloh | ExSloth.com5 Tips for getting out of or avoiding food ruts
  • 1 Bowl Blueberry Peach Vegan Banana Bread1 Bowl Blueberry Peach Vegan Banana Bread
  • 3 Ingredient Fruit & Rosemary Popsicles (Vegan, Gluten Free, Paleo) via @ExSloth | ExSloth.comRosemary & Fruit Popsicles + Introducing Ice Cream Sundays
  • These healthy Chocolate Chip Blondies are moist and fudgy, with chocolatey goodness in every bite. Plus, they're also full of nutritious black-eyed peas via @ExSloth | ExSloth.com #NYE #holiday #celebrateLucky Black-Eyed Peas Chocolate Chip Blondies

Filed Under: Fitness, Fitness Tips

« Make the most of Limited Kitchen Space
On Food Photography, Instagram & Snapchat »

Comments

  1. Cat says

    18 May, 2015 at 1:24 am

    I made the same decision not too long ago – I never thought I’d like hot yoga (love yoga, not so much the hot part!) but for so many reasons I’ve decided to make it a regular part of my routine. Love the point about lifting and cardio helping to destress, but not necessarily relax or calm the mind. So true!
    Cat recently posted…How Hot Yoga Surprised Me

    Reply
  2. Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine says

    18 May, 2015 at 10:57 am

    I’ve never done yoga is an actual heated room, but I have done it in rooms that were…super hot, hahahaha!
    Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine recently posted…Top Product Picks From Gluten-Free Bloggers

    Reply
    • Giselle Rochford says

      18 May, 2015 at 6:44 pm

      LOL you should try it some time 🙂

      Reply
  3. Deborah @ Confessions of a Mother Runner says

    18 May, 2015 at 5:04 pm

    I do love hot yoga and I get really into it for a while then kind of fall off the wagon. I like it a lot more in the winter time.
    Deborah @ Confessions of a Mother Runner recently posted…Southwestern Pasta Salad w Cilantro Lime Vinegarette

    Reply
  4. Jenn says

    18 May, 2015 at 5:07 pm

    I’m glad you found something great that works for you. I can handle regular yoga, but I don’t do well with “hot” anything. It always makes me dizzy, nauseous and lightheaded. So that’s out for me 🙁
    Jenn recently posted…weekly report: 5/10 – 5/16

    Reply
  5. Elle says

    18 May, 2015 at 5:24 pm

    I love yoga but have yet to try HOT yoga. I am kind of intimidated by it.
    Elle recently posted…Home From Spring Vacation

    Reply
    • Giselle Rochford says

      18 May, 2015 at 6:43 pm

      So was I the first time I tried it. But honestly, once you’re comfortable actually doing yoga, the heat isn’t as bad as you’d think. You should give it a try 🙂

      Reply
  6. Kathryn @ Dancing to Running says

    18 May, 2015 at 7:12 pm

    I’ve been to hot yoga once, and really liked the experience. I don’t know why I haven’t been back!
    Kathryn @ Dancing to Running recently posted…Rock ‘n’ Roll Virginia Beach Half Marathon Training Log – Week 2

    Reply
  7. Wendy@Taking the Long Way Home says

    18 May, 2015 at 8:06 pm

    I don’t do hot yoga. I sweat so much when I run, and I do yoga to destress and stretch! I’ve heard great things about hot yoga, tho, and I’m glad you liked it!
    Wendy@Taking the Long Way Home recently posted…Weekend randoms

    Reply
  8. Mar @ Mar on the Run says

    18 May, 2015 at 8:52 pm

    huge, HUGE fan of hot yoga!! it’s the only way I tend to even practice yoga! I love Core Power Yoga and their hot yoga with weights class.
    Mar @ Mar on the Run recently posted…Weekend Update: Learning the Fundamentals

    Reply
  9. Courtney @ Eat Pray Run DC says

    18 May, 2015 at 9:03 pm

    i’m really terrible at yoga but have enjoyed the hot yoga class i took. good luck to folks entering your giveaway!
    Courtney @ Eat Pray Run DC recently posted…Run.Eat.Drink. The Fit Foodie 5K is here!

    Reply
  10. Sue @ This Mama Runs for Cupcakes says

    18 May, 2015 at 9:14 pm

    I love yoga! I haven’t tried out hot yoga yet though, it’s on my to do list 🙂

    Reply
  11. Marcia says

    18 May, 2015 at 9:49 pm

    I’ve done plenty of yoga where they heat up the room but it’s not official Bikram. I need more yoga in my life!
    Marcia recently posted…Race Report: 5k For the Dogs

    Reply
  12. Gis Elle says

    18 May, 2015 at 11:37 pm

    Hot yoga is cool! Makes me all red though!

    Reply
  13. jill conyers says

    19 May, 2015 at 6:14 am

    Love love hot yoga! The feeling before during and after is beyond compare. Enjoy Giselle!
    jill conyers recently posted…I Am Enough

    Reply
  14. Nicole @ Fitful Focus says

    19 May, 2015 at 9:04 am

    I tried hot yoga once. I enjoyed the flow and the sweating but it was 90 minutes! Too long for me.
    Nicole @ Fitful Focus recently posted…Blend Retreat Recap – Day 2

    Reply
  15. Coach Henness says

    19 May, 2015 at 9:44 am

    I’ve only done Corepower’s heated yoga. It was a challenge for sure. If I were to keep doing it I’d want to invest in one of those microfiber towels that everyone seems to put over their mat. I was slipping all over the place! Extra core points for me.
    Coach Henness recently posted…Book Talk: Daughters Of Distance

    Reply
  16. Ange @ Cowgirl Runs says

    19 May, 2015 at 10:27 am

    I love hot yoga, but attend very sporadically. I wish my GoodLife location had a hot yoga studio, that would be amazing!
    Ange @ Cowgirl Runs recently posted…I Am Enough

    Reply
  17. Carmy says

    19 May, 2015 at 1:53 pm

    I LOVE hot yoga but I HATE having to pack for it! Haha. Towel for the mat, towel for the shower, towel for my hair because it’s long as hell, then a change of clothes haha.
    Carmy recently posted…Monday on the Run #23

    Reply
  18. MCM Mama Runs says

    19 May, 2015 at 3:34 pm

    I’m not a fan of hot yoga. I don’t love yoga in general, but I hate being hot even more. So choosing to do something I wasn’t loving in unbearable heat totally didn’t work for me LOL.
    MCM Mama Runs recently posted…TOTR: What You Can When You Can #wycwyc

    Reply
  19. Patty @ Reach Your Peak says

    19 May, 2015 at 10:25 pm

    I’ve only done hot yoga once and would love to do it again! Sadly there are no hot yoga studios near me though but I should do more yoga in general!
    Patty @ Reach Your Peak recently posted…Week 20/52 of Training – 2015

    Reply
  20. Emily says

    19 May, 2015 at 11:40 pm

    I’ve always wanted to try hot yoga and a studio just opened up near my house. I’ll definitely have to try it soon. I think it will be really interesting to see how it’s different from vinyasa yoga, the kind I usually do.
    Emily recently posted…College Series: A Student’s Guide to Saving Money

    Reply

Trackbacks

  1. 5 reasons you should start doing Group Fitness Classes ASAP - Diary of an ExSloth says:
    7 February, 2016 at 12:38 am

    […] became a couple of my favourite exercises. Same goes for half the things we do in every hot yoga class. And if you’re open to trying boutique classes, there are classes like Barre or […]

    Reply

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

CommentLuv badgeShow more posts
new reader sidebar

Thinking of going dairy free? Get the Guide!

GET ACCESS TO THE RESOURCE LIBRARY

with free cheat sheets, workbooks & mini eBooks (like that one↑)

recipe redux
Been a hot minute since I showed my face (food? 🤔) around here but this vegan reuben from @cafepyrus deserved a shout out 😍😍😍 If you're ever in #dtkitchener you neeeeeeed to give it a try 👌🏾👌🏾💯
.
#dtk #dtkeats #dtklove #whatveganseat #vegansandwich #sauerkraut #vegansdoitbetter #tempeh #howisummer #makesmewhole #plantbasedeating #plantpowered #veganeats #veganeating #getinmybelly #eatyourcolors #herbivore #veganlove #foodbloggersofcanada #lovefood #realsimple #kitchenerwaterloo #waterlooregion
Fell in love with avo toast all over again this mo Fell in love with avo toast all over again this morning 😍😍😍
.
For a really long time avocado on toast was a staple in my diet. I had it almost every Tuesday - mostly so I could have something to post on #toasttuesday. But when I took my extended break from social media last year I realised that I didn't actually want it week after week. And that just made honouring the real cravings 💯 times more satisfying🥑🍞💚
.
Moral of the story: Don't let anything but your body & health - not a hashtag, fad or photo op - dictate what you eat. Just do you 👊🏾
Literally the only food I never get tired of 😍 Literally the only food I never get tired of 😍
.
Burrito/Taco bowl with rice, veggies, beans, salsa, avo, fried plantain and (unpictured) tortilla chips on the side 👌🏽👌🏽👌🏽 Happy #tacotuesday friends 🙌🏾
Already winning at the week thanks to this Monday Already winning at the week thanks to this Monday morning grocery run 🙌🏾🙌🏾🙌🏾
.
Quick thoughts on routines/comfort zones: I went skiing with some friends this weekend which is so far out of my comfort zone I still can't believe I went.
.
1. I get really anxious when I'm away from my apartment overnight (and this trip was ✌ nights)
2. New experiences scare me, especially when heights and falling are involved.
3. I'm scarily attached to my weekend routine and messing with that sends me into a tailspin.
.
Why I'm glad I went: The day started off horribly. There were tears and I had to be rescued by professionals a couple times but I kept going and by the end of the day I was having so much fun I didn't want to leave the slopes. I was also so tired after half a day of skiing I fell asleep before I could even miss my apartment. Lastly, I totally survived without my weekend routine. I have a packed lunch for the day (leftover from last week) I got the store this morning to stock up for the week and I feel more at peace and energized today than I have in too many Mondays to count.
.
All that to say: don't let your fears, routines or comfort zones stop you from experiencing everything life has to offer 💁🏾
#groceryhaul #mondaymantra #mealprepmonday #YearOfYes #meatlessmonday #healthygroceries
Heading out on my first ever skiing/snowboarding a Heading out on my first ever skiing/snowboarding adventure this weekend and obvs planning/packing the snacks before anything else 🙄 #priorities #vegandesserts #veganchocolate #paleovegan
Standing in the snow waiting for a bus that's now Standing in the snow waiting for a bus that's now 20 mins late and dreaming of warmer days 😭 Happy #humpday, friends 🐫
#veganpancakes #veganbreakfast
Would do a lot of shady shit for a couple slices o Would do a lot of shady shit for a couple slices of this blueberry peach banana bread right now 😅😅😍 #veganbreakfast #bananabread #freshpeaches
#freshfruit
.
Recipe link in my bio @exsloth if you're interested 🙌🏾
.
.
.
#thrivemags #plantbaseddiet #foodstyling #plantbasedfood #thebakefeed #vegetarianfood #vegetarianbreakfast #heresmyfood #onmyplate #buzzfeedfood #eatpretty #healthyvegan #prettyfood #howisummer #bgbcommunity #f52gram #vegansofcanada #bhgfood #foodblogfeed #healthycuisines #plantpower #marthabakes #feedfeedvegan #foodphotos #thechalkboardeats #veganeats
On a scale of 1 to 'I have waffles everyday now' h On a scale of 1 to 'I have waffles everyday now' how excited do you think I am about my new waffle maker? 🤔😅😍 Happy #wafflewednesday friends 🙌🏾 #veganbreakfast #veganwaffles
.
.
.
#thrivemags #plantbaseddiet #foodstyling #plantbasedfood #heresmyfood #onmyplate #buzzfeedfood #eatpretty #healthyvegan #prettyfood #howisummer #bgbcommunity #f52gram #vegansofcanada #bhgfood #foodblogfeed #healthycuisines #eatplants #marthafood #feedfeedvegan #foodphotos #thechalkboardeats #veganeats #foodblogeats #vegetarianfood #vegetarianbreakfast
Follow @ExSloth on Instagram
  • Contact
  • Privacy Policy and Disclaimers
  • Work With Me
  • Bloglovin
  • Facebook
  • Google+
  • Instagram
  • Pinterest
  • Twitter

Copyright © 2021 · Foodie Pro Theme by Shay Bocks · Built on the Genesis Framework · Powered by WordPress