I started practicing at HB Hot Yoga in December 2010 after moving back from San Francisco. And I’m glad I found the studio because I have met some awesome people/teachers.
I practice at least twice a week, but I try for 3-4 times depending on my work schedule. I decided this style of hot yoga was perfect for me because I have to maintain a strict weight balance for my career as a jockey. As well as helping with my weight, yoga has helped me in almost every other way too! I am definitely a stronger person mentally, physically and emotionally. I have never felt more at peace with myself and the sometimes ‘crazy’ world around me. I have dedicated much of my life so far to the horse racing industry and I really didn’t even realize that it had been so long since I poked my head out and saw what the rest of the world was up to! So since learning to clear my mind I have found the pressure I put on myself wasn’t all that necessary and if I can keep practicing to be just the one breath I breathe at that time and moment I am always going to be the best I can be.
Kayla Stra
I was diagnosed with severe rheumatoid arthritis 3 years ago. At that point I was working as a production manager in the Apparel Industry which is a very fast paced environment. Unfortunately even that I LOVE to work in that industry, the illness is progressive and with time became so bad that I had to leave my work. That was very shocking for me. The arthritis then got complicated with fibromyalgia, which had me inactive at home with pain on ALL my joints, my muscles and even my skin. Some days I was not able to get up from bed all day.
Then I read in the Arthritis Today Magazine that hot yoga can help as part of the exercise or therapy. My cousin Nohemi Herrera, who is also a member at HBHY, found out about Huntington Beach Hot Yoga, so we started with the 20 day introductory special. I could only make it to about 8 classes, but the first class had such a great impact on me. I remember how the instructor emphasized that we should be grateful with what we can do, and also that some of the postures are good to heal. That is exactly what the practice is doing for me. I have to admit I have limitations but I can do most of the postures with no pain now, especially on my knees, which was the most painful.
I used to be very active and that was the part of the illness that most affected me, but thank God and thanks to Huntington Beach Hot Yoga for eliminating my stress and depression with exercise, the heated room, and the atmosphere of the studio! Thank you very much for such a great source of healing, physical and emotionally.
Yolanda Lopez
I started practicing at Huntington Beach Hot Yoga in October of 2007. A friend told me about it and I like new challenges so I thought I’d check it out. After the 1st class I was hooked. Now I practice about 3x a week – 4x if I’m lucky. Practicing the Dayton Method has helped me tremendously. I sleep so good! If I take a week off from the practice I can feel my stress level rising. I do it for my mental well being more than anything. I used to run and do spin class, but I’d rather just do yoga. My schedule is busy so I don’t have a lot of free time for myself and the time I do have is for yoga. Also, I haven’t been sick in the past three years and I am sure it’s because of hot yoga! Practicing at HBHY has helped me realize I am worth taking 90 minutes out of my busy day for my well being. I am a mother with more patience thanks to Hot Yoga. If you put your mind to it, you can do anything. I never thought I could finish a 30 day challenge but I did it! It’s not just a fad, its part of my life now and I have no intentions of ever stopping.
Amy Bistolas
I came to Huntington Beach Hot Yoga five years ago because my workout partner had tried it and thought it was amazing and wanted me to check it out. The first workouts were very challenging, but as I continued going back I definitely became hooked. I found the Dayton Yoga Method very beneficial in so many ways.
After having five children, I had become very tight and had many aches and pains, not to mention the stress that comes along with being a very busy mom. As the days, weeks, and months rolled by I continued practicing and my life began to transform. As my aches and pains were diminishing I increased my practice to five days a week.
While I have always been a very happy and cheerful person, I was experiencing mounting stress because my Marine son was being deployed to the front lines in Iraq. Dayton Yoga taught me to surrender and let go. My son eventually returned home safely after two tours in Iraq and I was overjoyed. Little did I know that a month later I would experience the most devastating event of my life. My husband died very suddenly, at thirty seven years old, without a warning. It has been three years now.
I am so grateful that Hot Yoga is such an integrated part of my life. I would not be where I am today if it were not for my yoga practice and all that it has taught me about myself. I am healed emotionally and spiritually, and feel that the Dayton Method has changed my life. Give it a try and I’m sure it will change yours too! Namaste.
Carol De La Torre
I first started taking Dayton Method Hot Yoga about April of 2004. I practice about 2-3 times per week depending on my schedule and lately trying to mix it up with the Power Flow classes. Stephanie Rafferty one of the instructors, a great friend of ours, started to take the classes and highly recommened this to me. I was very curious and also unsure of what I was getting myself into. At the time I was one of the few men that were taking the class and sometimes the only guy in there besides Jason. Yoga has changed me personally especially mentally by using the power of the mind to overcome the physical challenge of exercising in the heat. I had a severe herniated disk 25 years ago which I was lucky to have resolved without surgery with a papaya enzyme injection into my disk. I was told I would probably develop arthritis in this area, so Hot Yoga has helped keep this at bay and not developing it into something more severe. It energizes me afterward throughout the day and calms me after stressful life situations that we all face. It also keeps me flexible which is essential as we age. To me it is like taking a hot cleansing shower from the inside out!!… I think the biggest moment to me was not in class but about a half hour after I left and how much energy there was and great I felt…What I have learned the most especially after doing a couple of the 30 Day Challenges is that it is more of a mental workout which makes the physical part a little easier and I can achieve that goal once I have that mindset. I finally got IT when I figured out how to conserve my energy through the Challenges and concentrating on relaxing and using just enough muscle to hold my poses instead of fighting my body. I gave in to the pose!!!
Dennis Mackenzie
I first started practicing The Dayton Method Hot Yoga at Huntington Beach Hot Yoga in March, 2010. I practice between 3-4 days per week. Due to prior injuries and surgeries from motorcycling, wrestling, and surfing I decide to try Hot Yoga. Practicing at HBHY has helped me in so many ways I feel less pain, more flexible, I have better sleeping habit and better blood sugar control from diabetes. During the standing series I am able to realize the value of the practice. From practicing the series I have learned that I have created a lot more laundry. my wife complains so much about all the towels and clothes she has to wash.
Jack Nicolou
Right now I practice the Dayton Method Hot Yoga about 3 to 4 times a week after starting at Huntington Beach Hot Yoga in May 2007. In January 2011 I hope to increase my practice to 4 to 5 times a week because I realize what a great workout it is from head to toe! There are so many benefits I have noticed: good sleep, better toning and physical shape and my once injured shoulder is not tight like it used to be. I’ve always known that all yoga is good for all ages, but I didn’t realize the Dayton Method would help me as much as it has.
I often have neck and lower back pain from standing all day at work. Hot Yoga helps to relax the tight muscles in my neck and back, as well as every muscle in my body. Because I usually have very poor balance, I value all of the one-legged standing postures. They are always challenging for me but I have been getting better over these years of practicing.
In March of 2007, my older brother died of a massive stroke. He was only 44 years old. It was the first time I had lost a family member. I was obviously in shock and devastated. Following that life tragedy I found HBHY two months later hoping it could help me cope through the emotional pain. At first I didn’t like it, thinking it was way too hot. But I realized that if I want to accomplish anything in life I have to work hard at it. Slowly I learned that practicing the Dayton Method Hot Yoga was the best exercise for me both physically and mentally. It helped me to release the pain in my heart from the loss of my brother. At HBHY I have learned to be more patient, relaxed, and try not to take life too seriously. I am definitely in a better shape than four years ago!
Jade Han
I first began practicing yoga at Huntington Beach Hot Yoga 2 years ago, I manage to practice about 5 days a week. I had tried other yoga in the past but upon my first visit to Jason’s studio I felt that I finally found my yoga home. It’s always been difficult for me to focus yet the poses have helped me find a stillness within that I absolutely love. I’ve been running for many years and yoga has helped my back and knee injuries. It’s also strengthened my awareness physically focusing on isolating muscles. I love all the postures, but my favorite is triangle it’s the most challenging for me. What I have learned about myself practicing The Dayton Method Hot Yoga is that like my life, change is constant…acceptance is key.
Kellyann Linehan
I first started practicing The Dayton Method Hot Yoga at Huntington Beach Hot Yoga in February 2010. I practice hot yoga about 3 times a week but will practice more in the summer, since I have it off. I began practicing The Dayton Method Hot Yoga because I heard that I have a local Huntington Beach Hot Yoga studio. I heard that holding poses in a heated room was really good for loosening up tight muscles. I had already been practicing yoga for about 4 years and felt as though I was making slow progress where my flexibility was concerned. I really wanted to improve on my flexibility, especially in my hamstrings, so I thought I’d give it a try. It’s been a little over a year and I’m very happy with the improvements that I’ve made. Moreover, I don’t wake up with the same aches and pains like I used to. In addition, I feel youthful and healthy. I also enjoy the challenge of holding postures and I notice the gradual change I’ve made in my strength and balance. The Dayton Method Hot Yoga has definitely become my preferred practice. I think of it as my health insurance! Practicing hot yoga has also become a great compliment to my other yoga practice, the hot power flow that is now taught at HBHY. Now, I am able to do other types of asanas with greater flexibility and focus which is what I was really striving for. Practicing The Dayton Method Hot Yoga has also helped in my personal life. I was going through a divorce and had been suffering from anxiety and depression as a result. However, practicing hot yoga has helped to relieve those symptoms. With each asana I learn to relax, stay in the moment and breath, which is something I’m able to take outside the studio. Practicing hot yoga gives me something to look forward to. There are definitely days that I walk into the yoga studio not feeling my best spiritually but by the end of class, I’ve been transformed into a happier more balanced person. I love my yoga practice! I always wanted to do a downward dog and have my heels reach the floor and just recently that was possible! Through the practice of hot yoga, I have learned to have patience with my body, as well as, acceptance with other aspects of my life.
Teresa Lyons
I had back pain for 20 years which was not helped by chiro adjustments, massage, or pain meds. After a few months of hot yoga, I noticed that I did not have back and shoulder pain anymore. I started skiing again and noticed that I recover must faster. After surfing I don’t feel as fatigued as I used to get. In addition I refer my patients to yoga as it helps them with balancing their mood and improves their overall well-being. Thanks Jason for bringing Hot Yoga to H.B.
CHEDDI RATHAN – Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist
I’ve noticed that as I get older, my muscles and joints are so much tighter. Hot yoga enables
me to stretch, and it relaxes tight muscles. Aging has also made me lose some balance, and
I don’t sweat as easily. But hot yoga really helps with all of that; it’s cleansing and makes me
sweat as much (or more) than I used to when I could run 6-7 miles per day!
CLETE MOLACEK
Discovering hot yoga a few years after back surgery has helped ME immensely! Practicing
hot yoga regularly is the only thing that keeps me from getting stiff, it keeps my back aligned,
it minimizes back pain, and I no longer needs chiropractic adjustments. If I ever cuts back on
yoga, I immediately notice my body, especially the joints getting achy and stiff.
DANNY CERDA
“I think it’s a fountain of youth for the body.”
DAN BUTLER
Hot yoga has helped me re-center myself in a way that’s made me much more healthy in all aspects of life. Hot yoga is not only my primary form of exercise, but it’s also motivated me to re-vamp and improve my diet.
DEBRA HOSKINS
“Hot yoga provides me with overall health.”
MICHELLE BUTLER
“After my first week of Hot Yoga I decided that I had to come back every single day! Not only is Hot Yoga great for your mind and body but you have a sense of community when you go. I have never met so many great instructors who care about you and want you to grow and succeed.”
AMANDA TYLER
