Fitness From the Field: Radiantly Hot Yoga
The Rural Intelligence region offers a plethora of fitness and healing modalities, but it can be hard to know which is the one that fits your needs, your body type and your schedule. Enter Paula Boyajian, a yoga instructor certified in Interdisciplinary Yoga and Yoga for the Special Child, who has taken on the role of RI’s fitness contributor to sleuth out the details of the many health and wellness options in our area.
If you’re finding it hard to fully embrace autumn no matter how spectacular the foliage because of the cold you know is inevitble, here’s a remedy that doesn’t require an airline ticket to the Bahamas. With temperatures above 85 degrees, coconut water for sale and enormous prints of soothing sunsets, Penny Saupe's Hot Yoga class [in photo, right] at Radiance Yoga in Pittsfield could be the panacea for your autumnal anxieties.
What Is It?
A 90-minute hot yoga class in the Barkan Yoga style. This is different from Bikram, which follows an identical flow of 26 poses. Penny’s class is performed in 85-99 degree heat and each class is different based on students, weather patterns, seasons and even world events. The class I took focused on staying grounded and strong during the transition from summer to fall.
Activity Level
Intermediate to advanced. You should be experienced with yoga and prepared to sweat. This last requirement may be a no-brainer, but the heat can be challenging for some. Of course, Penny offers modifications for each pose and encourages everyone to sip water and rest whenever necessary.
Benefits
The heat brings additional benefits to those gained through other yoga styles. Since your body works harder at higher temperatures, you get an amazing cardio workout and burn a few more calories. Also, muscles and connective tissue become more pliable, leading to greater flexibility; and, as circulation increases, the kidney and liver are stimulated and detoxification can increase.
Another bonus is that class is 90 minutes long before final relaxation. You can rest for as long as you like, but the teacher exits the room, leaving you in charge and incorporating the importance of self-awareness.
Instructor Information
When I asked Penny what she hopes people learn from her class, she said she thinks yoga is underestimated — but she didn’t mean the actual workout. She sees yoga as not just exercise but a lifestyle, and it's brought her a contented one. “Sometimes we forget to notice the beauty of the world," she said. Remembering the awareness and gratitude developed in class can open our eyes to the positive things in life."
Her philosophy is evident throughout class. Starting with sun salutations, she points out that we’re saluting the light in us, not in the sky. During tree pose she remarks that we’re a forest — a community, actually — sharing this world. Penny closes class with a simple suggestion on how to bring yogic qualities into our community. At this class, she mentioned the International Day of Peace and how we could do something peaceful for someone.
As much as there’s physical and spiritual development, there’s fun, too. Penny is unbelievably joyful — you can hear it not just in her affirmation that we’re “beautiful" and “look great," but in her music choice. I got to sweat to Justin Timberlake's SexyBack, and What a Feeling. Penny selects her playlist based on students and this day, she said, we were all young (Thank you!) What she didn’t realize is that she gave me the gift of laughter: When SexyBack came on and I was a sweaty mess, I chuckled, thinking, “Really? Am I?" When the theme to Flashdance filled the room, all I could think was how nice a bucket of water splashing over me would feel.
Facility/Ambience
It's a traditional yoga studio with a charming lobby, ample room for belongings, one large pristine practice room, and light and airy changing rooms and restrooms. What sets Radiance apart are the huge prints of amazing sunsets in the lobby and practice room. I found this helpful when focusing. It’s a beautiful and inspiring option, different from the usual exit sign that’s often in one’s line of vision.
Mats are available for rental and filtered water is available to refill your own bottle. Coconut water sells for $3. Needless to say, bring a towel.
Cost
A single class is $15, and reduced prices are available for students or with class cards and memberships. Please note: Not all classes are “hot." Check the website for prices, as well as for a menu of the wide range of class styles and levels.
Radiance Yoga
401 North Street, Pittsfield, MA
(845) 532-5100
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