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The windows are so foggy that Colorado’s famous clear blue sky is blurred.
A group of yogis sit on their yoga mats as their bodies are drenched in sweat. Moisture drips from the ceiling as the humidity begins to resemble that of the Amazon rain forest.
Welcome to hot yoga at the CorePower Yoga studio on 1699 S. Colorado Blvd.
“Some people are here for the heat and some people are here for the yoga. Let’s have some fun,” said CorePower yoga instructor Sarah Ronan to begin Hot Power Fusion, a 60-minute class that combines Vinyasa-style and traditional hot yoga poses, in a room heated to 97 degrees. Yes, it is hot.
CorePower currently offering a free week of unlimited yoga classes to students at any of their locations nationwide.
There are student rates for membership packages. There also are single drop-in classes for $12, and a number of free or $8 discount classes.
Ronan explained, “The two main benefits of a heated room are intense detoxification and deeper stretching. The heat also helps with relaxation and conversely can pose a mental challenge for building focus as well. Everyone’s body will respond differently depending on the day.”
“The majority of CorePower Yoga classes do incorporate heat, however, not all classes at CorePower Yoga are heated. There is a Vinyasa flow class, called C1, that is non heated and is structured for someone who is relatively new to yoga, or any yogi who wants to take a class to get back to the basics,” Ronan said.
CorePower began in Denver in 2002, and was founded by Trevor Tice, a native of Telluride, Colo.
Today, CorePower Yoga has grown to 28 studios in Colorado, California, Illinois, Minnesota and Oregon. A membership is valid at any of these locations nationwide.
Ronan said, “The more time a person spends on their mat, the more they will get out of the practice. As far as justifying the cost, yoga is a holistic practice.”
The membership and classes come at a price, but regular yoga practice offers many health benefits.
Ronan explained, “I have many students that say their yoga practice has replaced or diminished certain medications, psychologist visits, doctor bills, and impulsive or expensive behavior in their lives. I believe an investment in a healthy lifestyle, a mental, physical, and spiritual balance, will always pay off in the long run.”
“The benefits depend on the person and their commitment level to the practice, because it is just that, a practice.”
Ronan said, “Yoga has helped me see that each day in our world we are fighting new and unique battles internally and externally. Coming to my mat is a reminder to me that I am not in control of what happens to me in this life, but I am in control of how I react to each situation. It is an empowering practice and because of yoga I am able to accept and appreciate all of my life, not just the easy spots. The yoga butt and toned arms are icing on the cake.”
CorePower is open seven days a week with classes at most studios ranging from 6 a.m. to 8 p.m. All of the classes are open to all levels of experiences, though they do vary in difficulty.
Class descriptions and schedules for each location are available online at corepoweryoga.com.
