RIVERFLOW YOGA - There Must be 26 Ways to Lose Your Blubber

When the temps go up, the clothes come off. And if you’re noticing some oversize in your thighs or some jiggle in your middle, now’s the time to literally melt away those extra pounds. We sat down with Rhonda Uretzky, instructor and owner of Riverflow Yoga in Pt. Pleasant, to shed some light on how to shed the weight with one of the hottest trends in physical, mental and spiritual fitness.

The Heat Is On
Hot 26, a unique style of yoga that is currently only available in Bucks County at Riverflow Yoga, involves heat, humidity and a specific series of ancient yoga poses from Ustrasana to Tadasana. During the 90-minute sessions, the thermostat is turned up to 105 F, and the humidity is cranked up between 40 and 50 percent to keep the core body temperature stable while you work out in the heat. The 26 poses – yes, that’s 26 – are “designed to work every part of your body,” says Uretzky. “ The pose sequence builds towards maximum spine flexibility, then cools down.”

Sing the Body Athletic
It’s a common misconception that to begin practicing yoga, you have to already be flexible, fit and trim. “I have people coming to me saying, ‘I’m overweight. Can I do yoga with all this extra skin?’” says Uretzky, who has taught several different forms of yoga for the past 33 years. So you’re not ready to squat down and balance on your left toes with your right leg crossed over your thigh? Relax! Yoga does not require you to have a gymnast’s body, just a beginner’s mind. Simply start from your current fitness level.

And while it still may seem daunting, Hot 26 yoga actually helps your body achieve those challenging poses. The heat and humidity soften and loosen your muscles, which makes Standing Bow Pulling –standing on your left leg while kicking your right leg up behind your head - much easier. Plus, instead of gaining hard and tight muscles – what you get when you work out with weights – long and flexible muscles develop, says Uretzky. These healthier muscles keep your body supple and young. Another bending benefit: Stretching your body in the correct and most optimum ways can help a variety of common ailments, from aching backs to migraines. “And the more inflexible you are,” says Uretzky, “the more dramatic the results.”

A New Yoga State of Mind
“Do I have to know how to meditate to do hot yoga? What if I can’t clear my mind?” Uretzky asks, recalling common questions she often fields from potential clients. Although some popular forms of yoga require deep meditation, getting to the bottom of your core and locating your inner chi is not a pre-requisite of Hot 26. In fact, it’s quite the opposite. “You come to Hot 26 yoga with your mind racing, and right away, you are going to be challenged by the heat. Then, your instructor is going to talk non-stop for 90 minutes,” explains Uretzky, who teaches each session. “You need to keep your mind on what the instructor is saying. Focus solely on the detailed instructions, and your mind stops wandering. Your worrisome thoughts go away. You can just let go of everything, from immediate goals to emotional grudges.”

Riverflow Yoga has several 90-minute sessions available every day, and with new instructors arriving in the coming months, their schedule will be expanding. But in the meantime, find a time that works for you and get in on being way cool by getting way hot.

Riverflow Yoga might adding a second location later this month. Go online at riverflow-yoga.com for the most up-to-date information.