Deep inhale, deep exhale, downward dog, forward fold, half way lift, and stretch into warrior two. To my non yoga goers that is a typical start of class sequence at CorePower.
CowerPower Yoga is a fitness studio that practices traditional yoga with a focus on balance, flexibility, and breathing work. Many of its classes take place in heated rooms up to 105 degrees adding another challenge to the workout.
My CorePower journey began this past August when I was moving into my new place entering my junior year of school. Excited to live with my current roommates Avery, Alexis, Mohika, and Sydney, I quickly realized our differences in morning routines. All four girls are all earlier risers, waking up at the ripe time of 6 a.m. whereas I am more of a 9:30 a.m. kind of girl. As my morning was just beginning they had already gone to the gym, showered, and eaten breakfast. I realized it was time for a change.
Two of my roommates Sydney and Mohika, similar to myself, love long nature walks basked in the LA sun with a matching set on, but that is not their only form of movement during the day. Mohika has a membership at Club Studio gym while Sydney has a membership at CorePower. Knowing myself, my body, and never fully enjoying a typical gym scene, the sound of CorePower yoga intrigued me.
Sydney described the six classes available to take at CorePower which includes, CorePower 1 (C1) — Beginner yoga, CorePower 2 (C2) — Heated power yoga, Yoga Sculpt — Yoga, weights and cardio, Hot Power Fusion (HPF) — Hot yoga, CoreRestore — Recovery and stretching, and CorePower Strength X — Strength training. Out of all the exercise options she listed, Yoga Sculpt sounded like music to my ears.
The next day I bought a baby blue yoga mat, a matching yoga scrunchie for the mat, a brand new cheetah water bottle, and a bundle of sweat rags. It was transformation time.
My typical hot yoga set up before sculpt class paired with two eight pound weights on the side of the mat.
When it comes to working out I am no gym monkey, but undergoing this hot yoga journey my goal was to tone and tighten up my entire body. The Yoga Sculpt class provided at CorePower includes squats, lunges, bicep curls, shoulder presses, core work and jumping. All movements that are helpful for my physical growth.
The Yoga Sculpt class my roommate and I take nearly four to five days out of the week includes both high physical intensity and high heat intensity, so we are still including cardio and weights. Although we mix in strength training classes into our weekly rotation, the sculpt class combines yoga and strength moves that I have noticed boost metabolism and build my muscles lean.
At first I started off as Sydney’s buddy pass, then I signed up for the free week and now I have my very own membership using the CorePower app where I can book my class times with my favorite instructors, bring my own plus one, and track how many classes I have taken. This Friday will mark my fiftieth hot yoga class.
In the beginning I started my hot yoga journey to relate with my roommates, building a bond through exercising. But in all honesty the main reason was to look good and like how my body looks when I glance in the mirror. However, throughout my experience and nearly reaching my fiftieth class I realized it is not about how ripped my back becomes or how flat my stomach forms, it is all about feeling stronger, healthier, and more energized. And I am happy to confirm that I feel all three.
Hitting warrior two, a standing yoga pose that builds lower-body strength and opens up the hips and chest.
In August and September, I would lift 3-pound weights during class, but in October, I moved up to 5-pound weights. My next step is to incorporate 8-pound weights. Now I can lift all my groceries without my wrist aching and even touch my toes!
Throughout my training I have opened up my food intake and palette, digesting more protein and fibers, but also allowing myself to have a sweet treat here and there. I go to bed earlier and wake up earlier, still not as early as my roommates though! I look forward to hot yoga dedicating one hour of my day to getting lost in the sculpt movements, upbeat music, and dripping sweat all the way from my head to my feet.
If you are thinking about trying hot yoga yourself, do not feel intimated and consider a beginner class to slowly get into the grove. Personally, I think hot yoga is worth it and if you stay dedicated and consistent the results start to develop over time. Even on days when you are tired and unmotivated the feeling after finishing a hard class is truly eclectic. It is a small accomplishment that will set you up for the rest of your day, week, month, and or year.
All in all, I have found my flow.
