Style Spotlight: 90 Minute Hot with Kim and Bernie
In your own words, how would describe the style of your class?
Kim:
I am committed to empowering and inspiring people to reach their health and wellness goals. I am dedicated to the practice, upholding the traditions of the 90 minute, 26 & 2 sequence. Just know that whatever you are experiencing in class, chances are I struggled in class earlier that day.
Bernie:
My class is taught in the tradition of Bikram yoga; however I do tend tostray from Bikram's dialogue a bit. The Bikram cues are very specific andrepeated in the same way in every class that a student attends. My cuescome from my own practice and what I have learned from years and years ofpracticing different styles of yoga. My hope is to give students who come tomy class a new twist on the postures they love and are so familiar with.
What do you like about teaching this style?
Kim:
I love teaching the 90 min 26x2 because I strongly believe in its healing benefits not only for your body, but for your mind and overall health and wellness. As my teacher says: "You're never too old, never too bad, never too late, and never too sick to start from scratch once again." One unique thing about this style of yoga is that the teacher does not practice with you, but guides students through class with safe and precise instructions known as "the dialogue". The dialogue keeps the mind busy with words. The dialogue brings the mind's attention to the body, keeping the mind so busy during it cannot think of anything else. The dialogue, over time, becomes the flow of a moving meditation.
Bernie:
Hot yoga is where my yoga journey began and is my first love; it's what Iknow best and is why I prefer to teach this style. It truly is for beginners,but is always challenging to even the most serious yogi, young, old andeveryone in between. I am humbled by the students who regularly practicehot yoga and I learn so much from them about the benefits of each postureand why it is so important to keep coming back!
What do you like about practicing this style?
Kim:
You can find me practicing this sequence almost daily right along with the students at One Tree! I truly practice what I teach. For almost 2 decades,this style of yoga has been the most important part of my daily routine, much like taking a daily vitamin or brushing my teeth. I can have time away from the "surprises" from my life, phone, smart watch, computer, work etc. With this sequence there are no "surprises", which allows me to surrender to the meditation of yoga. The consistency of the 90-minute practice has been so helpful when dealing with whatever life decides to throw at me: injuries, tremendous losses, job changes, conflicts, the list goes on and on. My teacher says "if you can remain still in savasana during my class, nothing can take away your peace."
Bernie:
I love practicing hot yoga for a number of reasons:A. Heat – hot! hot! hot!B. Sweaty - can get a little messyC. Structure - 26 postures, 2X eachD. Invigorating - you become stronger and more flexibleE. Dynamic – same postures, but always different in my bodyF. Concentration – boosts your ability to focusG. Community – we are all in this together!
Why do you think students should practice this style?
Kim:
I am inspired by the testimonials I hear on a daily basis. This particular style of yoga is physically accessible to people of all ages and conditions. The postures require only a normal range of motion. I hear countless stories about how life-changing this sequence has been: folks recovering from injuries and accidents, professional and high level athletes, moms and dads, students, seniors, executives — we all stand side-by-side in class, working to improve our daily lives.
Bernie:
I think most students practice for the same reasons that I do as I mentioned in the previous question but I think that the heat is the 'secret sauce'; it warms the muscles and joints making movement easier. However, the high temperature can also be an obstacle to new students; it can be intimidating and a bit scary. I always encouraging students to keep an eye on their breath; you want it to be long, smooth and even. With that in mind each student can work at their own individual pace and find their way through each posture. When you have a steady practice you will find that you breathe better, move better, sleep better and most of all, feel better!