Finding My Flow
March 18th, 2025
Photo: Erin Lee
Writer: Sam Luper
Editor: Natalia Pinto
I’m obsessed with hot yoga, especially in the winter. With the freezing cold Michigan weather, my hour in a hot and humid studio has become a sanctuary. Understandably, it’s not for everyone. Some people hate sweating, while others would rather go for a run outside. However, the calm yet invigorating feeling I get from hot yoga is irreplaceable. There is something powerful about pushing through not only the discomfort of the workout but also the heat, knowing that the sweat dripping on the mat represents the act of love I am providing for my body. The heat of the environment makes the practice mentally and physically more challenging but it can also provide numerous mental and physical benefits. The American Psychological Association has reported that yoga can help reduce symptoms of depression and decrease stress levels (Sliwa). On top of the numerous mental benefits of this practice, hot yoga has been reported to bring extra physical benefits since practicing in the heat improves blood flow, metabolic rate, and flexibility (Hui, 2022). As someone who struggles with seasonal depression, finding the motivation to workout in the winter months can be difficult, but hot yoga has shown me a way to continue moving my body even in the freezing winters.
Lately, I've been searching for my go-to hot yoga spot in Ann Arbor. While any hot yoga class leaves me feeling rejuvenated, classes can differ drastically depending on the studio and instructor. Here are my thoughts on a few local classes I’ve tried—
Hot Yoga Ann Arbor:
This was the first class I tried and honestly their yoga wasn’t my favorite. This was Bikram yoga while I’m more used to a Vinyassa style flow. The instructor was great and I ended up coming back to try a different one of their classes: Inferno Hot Pilates. Their hot pilates is probably my favorite class I’ve tried. It’s hard, but so rewarding. Definitely more of a workout than traditional hot yoga but still feels somewhat low impact.
Tiny Buddha Yoga:
I went to a hot Vinyassa with Risa and again it was harder than what I’m used to in terms of hot yoga. The flow is very self guided and they give plenty of time to take things at your own pace. Risa was harsh but fair, and overall, the class leaned more toward a workout than a relaxing yoga session.
Popup Wrkout (FuzeHouse):
I did a Hot Sculpt class and it was so much fun. The studio had a trendy, well-designed aesthetic that made the experience feel elevated and although it was on the pricier side, it was a good workout and the equipment was very nice. I would say the studio wasn’t that warm, so it could be good for someone trying hot workouts for the first time. Although they are a temporary popup, keep an eye out for rotating studios coming to Ann Arbor for a few weeks at a time.
—All of these Hot Yoga places have their pros and cons, and since most offer free classes I would recommend pushing yourself out of your comfort zone and trying something new. I frequently go into these classes alone worried that I wouldn’t be able to keep up with the class or have difficulty with some poses . However, once I completed the class, the feeling of relaxation, accomplishment, and strength made me grateful to be able to move my body and clear my mind. At the end of the day, finding the right studio is about more than just the workout—it's about discovering a space that makes you feel strong, centered, and ready to take on the winter.
References
Hui, Bryant P. H., et al. “Hot Yoga Leads to Greater Well-Being: A Six-Week Experience-Sampling RCT in Healthy Adults.” Psychosocial Intervention, vol. 31, no. 2, 2022, https://doi.org/10.5093/pi2022a4.
Sliwa, Jim. “Yoga Effective at Reducing Symptoms of Depression.” American Psychological Association, 2017, www.apa.org/news/press/releases/2017/08/yoga-depression.
