Dear members

During the summer months the issue of the heat often raises its hot head.
Here at Moksha we don't subscribe to the Bikram notion of heating the studio
above one's body temperature of 37°c, but we do believe that heat has a role
to play. Some say it's important to replicate the subtropical climate of
India in order to gain the full benefits of the physical practice and
generally we try and keep the studio at between 28 - 30° Celsius
irrespective of the ambient temperature. In addition to promoting the
important detoxification process of sweating, the heat - both internal (via
the ujayi breath) and external - ensure that you are hot when you stretch.
This heat, together with the strength work allows us to undo many negative
physical effects like shortened muscles, limited range of motion and
imbalanced and misaligned musculature. The heat also helps prevent injury,
" allows the body to stretch more safely, the central nervous system
functions more precisely, there is less muscle soreness and more fatty acids
are burned." (Yoga Journal) As many teachers say: "Even iron will bend if
you heat it up."

Having said all of that, if at any stage you feel light headed, dizzy or
nauseous you should adopt a resting posture, keeping the heat through the
breath and if you don't feel better, consider ceasing the practice. Remember
that at no stage should you experience pain - the heat helps to get to the
edge but that doesn't mean you should jump over!

Regards,
The Moksha Team

" A recent study by the Jefferson Medical College found that yoga
practitioners experienced a significant drop in cortisol levels after a
single yoga class. High cortisol levels are characteristics of stress and
serious depression." Yoga Journal