Why I don't do 'Hot Yoga'

I wanted to like it. I know there are a lot of great benefits from the heat. But after giving it a shot these were my main complaints:

I kept almost blacking out. The room would start spinning. Everything began to go dark. I had to sit down. My friend, Amber, actually had a seizure in a Bikram class several years ago. The ambulance and EMT's took her out on a stretcher. The teacher just kept the class going.

It’s hard to know how flexible you are. The heat makes your body extra limber. This might seem good until you over stretch. The possibility for injury is greater when you're body is that hot.

The teachers can be kind of mean. I noticed multiple hot yoga teachers pointing out student's mistakes to the class. It seemed that modifications we not welcome. It kind of scared me.


I know some people love hot yoga (but it’s not for me). I may have just had some bad experiences. It was a long time ago (probably 1997-ish), so things could be different now. The very first yoga classes I ever went to were at a Bikram studio. My friends were really into it and I had been wanting to try yoga. I was sooooo disappointed because I didn't realize there were other styles of yoga. I was super happy to find that wasn't the case. And...BTW, I actually know a couple of hot yoga teachers who are very sweet.

Love,

Lesley

We Would Love To Have YOU As A Part Of Our Intro

Welcome to the Fightmaster Yoga channel!

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LET'S CONNECT!

[TiaMiaa]

Please start a podcast. I absolutely LOVE your voice. Always have

[enzolazarovich]

You are so gentle, I have been suscribed to this channel for two years, and I have learned a lot about being kind to myself in my practice. It's the only rule right now.

[YogaWithBird]

My personal belief is that the breath is naturally meant to help warm up the body to it's perfect natural temperature. through this practice we sweat, we move and can feel each movement along with knowing our limit physically. it all comes back to ahimsa, i do not believe the practice of ahimsa is present in hot yoga, which would defeat the word yoga beside hot. with that said, i hold no judgement against anyone who enjoys the practice and have been told by many that they love it and it has helped them tremendously. In the end, whatever gets people moving and brings calmness i can be happy about that. I am so happy you decided to post this video to bring us more perspectives.

[oliwkowykacikjogowy]

I don't get what's fun about doing fast paced yoga in a hot room, literally my idea of hell!

[diegorbea]

I started watching Lesley's videos for the yoga class, but now I just want to listen to her talk and tell stories. She brings me peace and calm. What a great human she was

[jasonkimpeye]

Your smile can alone can save someone from depression I swear! Her voice is top tier.

[riaberisha]

Sthira translates as strong, steady, and stable. Sukha means comfortable, happy, and relaxed. Asanam refers to the physical practice of yoga.

[JM_Rosebranch]

I think it all depends on which studio you go to. I have been to those extreme hot yoga studios where its carpet, it smells, the teacher and rules are way too strict, and its all about how "good" it is for you. Then I have been to a lovely studio that had different levels of heat depending on the class (ranging from about 88° to 102°). Solid floors and the use of sanitizing diffusers. They encouraged breaks in yogic positions (such as child's pose) for as long as needed and even stopped to give mini back massages to those who chose to take one. Hot yoga is definently not for everyone, but the right introduction to it can make a world of difference.

[norahstuff]

I don't care how "strict" the teacher was....I'd have told him or her to take a know what.

[Maryqueenofairs]

Practicing when it is too hot can be dangerous and people can get overheated.

[AriesFaeries]

That whole practice seems pretentious. And dangerous. Fads never work and this one seems no different.

[joylindadichamounix]

For those who have not heard, Lesley died on November 21, 2020. Much love to her husband & sons.

[lynncliplef]

I love your yoga classes. You are one of my favourites to practice with at home. One thing to note is that Bikram and hot yoga are not synonymous. I was never into the practice or culture of Bikram but I am currently loving heated flow classes.

[darkvenuspersephone]

Hi Leslie, have you seen the netflix documentary about Bikram? Lots to consider about this "guru" besides his meanness...

[megpeiffer]

These teachers are the worst! I’m so thankful for a studio that highly encourages going into child’s pose if you lose your breath. I very much enjoy my power yoga classes, but girl do I also like a non-hot yoga class as well! Though I’m a sweater anyway so I’m for sure sweating a lot even when the temp is low 😂

[elissawatsonvlog]

I hate the heat because I can get heat headaches but I absolutely love the sequence of the Bikram asanas. So, I practice that sequence at home in my normal-temperature living room. At my own pace. I love the benefits that I experience with the sequence. And no one is yelling at me! LOL It's very peaceful and empowering.

[MakeItSo_ST]

I tried it once. We weren't even five minutes into the class when the man next to me stretched out his arms and his sweat dripped onto my mat! I grabbed all of my things, sanitized my mat at the front of the room, packed up and left without saying a word.

[sharusha]

Nicely said, I also don't like hot yoga. I live in a country where during the summer at night the temperature does not go bellow 40 degrees of Celsius, then I do "hot" yoga at the beach, because it is natural, there is a breeze and enough oxygen and you don't have to smell stinky feet in small, not enough ventilated room. I experienced hot yoga in the room and I really did not enjoy it. I came from outside, where it was about 10 degrees, and inside about 42... it is a shock for the body and then you have to exercise. No, thank you. I am also a teacher, but I cannot imagine myself not to allow students to take a child's pose when they need to, or not allow them leave the class... Thank you for all your videos! xx

[carriejeroslow]

I love your style, Lesley! You have such a nurturing gentleness. I know people who love hot yoga and all that comes with it. I prefer your loving kindness and approach to yoga. Much gratitude!

[sarahbethyoga]

Girl, SAME!

I had like the exact same experience! And second experience 😂 without the seizure... I’ll occasionally take a heated yoga class which is definitely not “hot yoga” but even then I’m not super into the heat.