4th Avenue Yoga offers an opportunity for Tucsonans to perspire even more with their hot yoga sessions.

Hot yoga, more commonly known as Bikram yoga, is a 90-minute yoga class taught in a room heated anywhere from 98 to 110 degrees. Traditionally, yoga instructor Bikram Choudhury taught the session in 108- to 112-degree heat.

Hot yoga’s increasing popularity among older and younger age groups raises serious safety concerns about exercising in such an extreme climate.

“In order to heal the body, first you need to inflame it,” said David Hernandez, a 4th Avenue Yoga instructor. Hernandez has over 500 hours of certified training in yoga and was trained in Ashtanga yoga and restorative techniques.

Hernandez said that sweat will cool the body and rid it of any waste. Heated environments will increase pulse rates, thus allowing greater blood circulation throughout the body and more flexibility.

One would hope that 90 minutes of sweating would eliminate any and all toxins present in the body. Sweat could lead to panic for some due to the dehydration, but Hernandez said overheating is not usually a concern.

“We tell people to listen to their bodies,” he said. “If you’re feeling at all dizzy, we encourage people to pause and drink water.”

4th Avenue Yoga also offers a wide array of hot yoga classes such as Power, Bikram inspired, Hatha and Flow. Each class offers slightly different training approaches and experience is not necessary.

“I have only been a few times, and the class is always difficult,” said Allison Lee, a business management senior. “But the results and how I feel afterward are very rewarding.”

4th Avenue Yoga attracts many students because of its close proximity to the university.

“Most of our classes are surprisingly student-heavy, about half and half,” Hernandez said. Hot yoga has become more popular among college students as a relaxation technique and cleansing method.
Every class at the studio is affordable for students, with sessions costing $4 each. The studio also accepts CatCash.

As temperatures start to cool this month and the Tucson heat becomes more bearable, always remember 4th Avenue Yoga is offering the heat year-round.

—Follow Kianna Chamber @DailyWildcat