W
hen exercising we often try to avoid extreme heat. A hot and humid day can be an indicator to move your workout inside. However, at Sweaty Ganesh Yoga, the philosophy is a temperature exceeding 100 degrees is the perfect climate to optimize your workout.
“Sweaty Ganesh Yoga is a hot yoga studio that offers classes for people of all body types, ages and levels of experience,” owner Jess Eldridge said. “We offer a variety of classes aimed at building body awareness, strength, flexibility and balance, while quieting the mind and learning how to live in the present moment.”
Sweaty Ganesh works with people of all different body types and skill levels. You do not need to be an expert to be able to attend classes and get a mind, body and spiritual workout.
“Our Core 26 class is approachable for people of any age, body type and level of experience,” said Eldrige. “We work with college athletes, people who are trying to achieve a healthy body weight, people with injuries or chronic pain and people who have never been athletic in their lives until they found yoga.”
Univesity of Oregon laboratory technician Ashley Ludden has been going to Sweaty Ganesh for over three years. She started going to push herself and create a challenging workout. Hot yoga has also helped her find inspiration and motivation to change her lifestyle.
“The teachers and people that I practice with there are all kind, bright and inspiring,” Ludden said. “It’s a really positive influence in my life and I feel so lucky to have access to such a thing. I consider them my yoga family.”
The extreme heat in the studios does not only have physical benefits but also tests your mental limits. It pushes you to see how your respond to difficult situations and challenges. As you become more comfortable with the heat, you start to embrace it and allow yourself to remain calm. These are skills that you can take outside of the yoga studio.
With the daily stresses that students face, this type of yoga could be a helpful tool in managing a hectic schedule.
“So when finals are due and you’re overwhelmed and totally stressed out, you can respond to this situation in a calmer, more composed manner, manage your stress better, accomplish what you need to do, all without sending your system haywire or letting your stress totally take over your body and mind,” Eldridge said.
Sweaty Ganesh offers an introductory special st $39 for one month of unlimited classes. After that, students can get unlimited classes for $95 a month. If those prices are a little too expensive for students, they also offer a work study program where students can help out at the studio and receive a discounted price on classes.
For head teacher Julie Coren yoga is so much more than just a workout. It goes far beyond the physical benefits.
“This goes beyond just the physical. The mental and psychological benefits are worth more than gold. Through this practice I have learned to love myself inside and out and in general am more honest, forthright, confident, patient, relaxed and clearheaded than I could ever imagine,” Coren said.