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Recording a virtual workout
Fitness
Published Monday Mar 30, 2020 by Brittany Raine

Taking it Home: The Benefits of Virtual Workouts

Virtual Classes
Yoga
Fitness

Social distancing might just be the most buzzworthy phrase of 2020—and maybe the most discouraging.

Our world has been flipped upside down over the past few weeks/months, and we’ve had to quickly rethink any semblance of what a "normal" routine looks like. From local restaurants turning to take-out only to our favorite studios/salons shuttering their doors for the time being, our connection to community hangs in the balance of social media and Zoom meetings. 

So how can we keep our seven dimensions of wellness (and workout regimen) inspired and intact in a time like this? By staying connected through group fitness and making ourselves a priority—because this girl wants to come out of quarantine fit as a fiddle with her friends. 

Whether it’s working out from home with virtual fitness classes, making DIY facials, or finding ways to keep our extrovertedness intact, the new (wellness) norm is about getting creative with our well-being (and budget). Here are three reasons why working out with others and investing in ourselves should be a priority, especially in time of pandemic.  
 

Group fitness makes you feel good.   

Even though we aren’t physically sweating side-by-side on the reformer or squat racks doesn’t mean we can’t workout together. Many of us might be missing our 6 am barre class with our best friends, but that shouldn’t get you down (unless you’re letting lower with your leg lifts at home). Leverage the thousands of virtual, on-demand workouts on Mindbody.io and the Mindbody app and meet new workout buddies (or get your faraway family sweating). From the comfort of your home (it’s our new reality), there’s something to be said about strength in numbers, even if you’re streaming solo. By virtually working out with others, you’ll feel the benefits of real-time face time, including pushing yourself harder, a sense of accountability, increased endorphins (hello happiness!), and external motivation. Just the sight of a new studio that you’ve been dying to try or the smile of your favorite instructor through your screens will do wonders for your wellness—physically, mentally, emotionally and beyond.  

Financial and friends: It pays to stay connected.  

With all the uncertainty flying around, tapping into what supports our well-being is essential—and that includes staying connected to what kept us feeling fierce before parts of society shut down. Now more than ever we need to give ourselves, our relationships, and our small businesses a little love. 

By continuing to financially invest in our fitness and wellness routines, we are investing in ourselves during this emotional time. Did you know you can inquire about updating your membership if the current payment cadence isn’t working for your budget right now? Not only are we supporting what makes us feel good, we are spreading positivity and purpose amongst those closest to us. And maybe we will inspire them to join our next on-demand workout. 

Whether it’s streaming mat Pilates to sweat out that stress or zoning out with mindful meditation after a long day of working from home with your S/O, staying connected to the studios that support every aspect of our strength will help us to stay focused—not fearful.  
 

[Find Virtual Classes anywhere in the world with Mindbody]

Yoga is therapy: Group workouts are your online outlet.  

It’s not shocking that emotions are currently running high (like at warp speed)—and panic is running rampant. Empty store shelves, COVID-19 taking over the news, layoffs... the current social and economic climate is just plain daunting. Plus, we can’t leave the house to even vent to our friends the local bar. So, is group fitness the answer? When it comes to your personal wellness, we’d like to believe so. You know that feeling when you leave your Vinyasa class feeling renewed, refreshed and calm? Channel that. Now think of your next virtual group fitness class as an inspirational interaction. Even though you’re plugged in to stream the class, disconnect your mind from drama, be more mindful, and let your emotions eat up all those feel-good endorphins. Reset your mind, body, and soul. Just let it go and flow.

Use virtual classes as your outlet to yes, connect with others, but to also connect with yourself. You might surprise yourself with what you’re able to accomplish from the mat in your living room.  Embrace the good energy and gratitude post-class and spread it around, whether it’s a quick call to Mom across the country or a motivational quote on social media. We are human and though we can bend pretty far, we don’t want to break. And in times when things feel out of control, you can control what makes you feel amazing.  

We encourage you to find the good in group fitness, especially right now. From yoga and barre, to HIIT and Pilates, and everything in between, fitness can keep us focused and connected, and invested in ourselves—wherever we, whatever we want to achieve. 

Brittany Raine MINDBODY
Written by
Brittany Raine
Consumer Content Program Manager
About the author
A free-spirited farmgirl from New York, Brittany traded her job as a journalist and newspaper editor for the San Diego sunshine. Brittany now leads the curation of all creative content. There are rumors she was Middle Earth's warrior elven queen in a past life.
people in upward dog practicing yoga on mats
Fitness
Published Wednesday Jul 28, 2021 by Bree Lewis

Sweat Redemption: 5 Tips for Getting Back Into Your Hot Yoga Practice

Yoga
Fitness
Expert Advice

If you’ve ever taken a hot yoga class, you know it’s always going to be one thing—outrageously hot. Not the “let’s hang by the pool and get that sun-kissed glow” kind of hot either. I’m talking that “I can't believe I have this much sweat in my body” and “I may or may not pass out” kind of hot. It’s nothing to mess around with, and after a year or so of not being able to go, it’s easy to forget just how serious that heat can be.

To get the maximum enjoyment and benefits out of your heated yoga classes, you need to prepare yourself before and take care of yourself afterward. Luckily, I’ve been taking some classes (sweating enough for the both of us) and I’ve listed my five favorite must-dos to help you readjust to your heated classes and get back to the hot yoga summer that we all want.

1. Go at your own pace

Heated classes are difficult in nature. The normal difficulty of regular poses is mixed in with the added challenges of sweating and dealing with the humidity and the heat (at times, I’ve seen the thermostat climb to 108 degrees—yikes!). Depending on what type of yoga class you’re taking (sculpt, Bikram, power vinyasa), the difficulty level and temperature are going to vary. It’s also important to remember that each person in the room is going to practice in a way that’s unique to them. Hours slept, hydration levels, food intake, and different lifestyles are all contributing factors that make our practices different. What you practice on your mat is your own––trust your body and only do what feels right to you.  And remember, it’s okay to take breaks!

2. Hydrate like your life depends on it (honestly, it might)

The rise in temperature mixed in with the humidity that we all know and love creates the perfect recipe for sweating—like A LOT. You go into a heated class dry and come out feeling like you just took a dip in the pool. Before heated classes, I had no idea it was physically possible to sweat that much. If you’re going to a heated class, especially after a long break, it’s easy to forget just how much you might sweat. Is it possible to lose that much water if you haven’t consumed it first? Trust me, going into your heated class super hydrated is going to make a world of difference and help you feel good throughout your practice. And don’t forget to take some sips of H2O while you’re practicing!  

3. Nourish your body

Heated classes are challenging, but I can’t stop going. Nothing quite compares to overcoming the challenge— and experiencing the cleanse my body feels after I’m done. It’s the perfect blend of hard and rewarding, but I couldn’t do it if my body wasn’t properly nourished. On the days I know I have a heated class booked; I like to make sure I am eating right. I make sure to take my vitamins and fuel my body with fruits, vegetables, and my favorite superfood shake. I hold off on food about an hour before my practice, so I feel comfortable. After the class, I like to replenish with a big protein shake (boosted with collagen to aid with muscle recovery and skin elasticity). There is no one-way path for properly nourishing your body but making sure you’re fueled for the challenge of a heated class is essential for getting the most out of your practice and feeling good on and off your mat.

4. Replenish those electrolytes

Increasing and maintaining your water intake on the days you take a heated class is important, but sometimes you need something a little extra. If you’re sweating that much, you’re basically an athlete (at least in my book) and if you’re performing like a rockstar yogi, you need to hydrate like one as well. That means replenishing those lost electrolytes. Reward yourself and your body for the hard work and treat yourself to your favorite drink. I switch off between electrolyte-boosting drinks and coconut water depending on what I’m in the mood for that day. Adding these to my post-practice self-care routine has helped me feel more hydrated after and ready to take on the world again after especially sweaty classes.

5. Bring the right equipment

Usually, a yoga mat is all you need for your practice––but heated classes are a different ballgame. I’ve gone with just a mat, and I’ve slipped all over the place. Let me tell you, there’s nothing worse than having sweat drip all over the place while you’re trying to hold a pose that makes you grip your mat for dear life (never again). Make sure you bring a towel to place over your mat, this will help with support and grip. Bringing a smaller towel is also a good idea. You can use the smaller towel to dry yourself off during water breaks or whenever you’re feeling just a bit too sweaty. This is a small step that makes a world of difference during those super-hot classes.

So, there you have it. Five of my favorite tips (more like lifesavers) that have helped me readjust to those heated classes I love so much. Getting back into it is a challenge for us all, so know you’re not alone. No matter where you’re at in your practice, remember to be kind and gentle to yourself––celebrating your health and your body’s ability to do what you love. We’re all just getting back out there, together.

Ready to jump back into your hot yoga routine? Browse Mindbody to find the perfect class for you. 

While you’re at it, check out some Intro Offers near you that can help you get back to your cadence of hot yoga classes.

bree lewis headshot
Written by
Bree Lewis
Marketing Content Associate
About the author
Born and raised in a small mountain town just south of Yosemite National Park, Bree is an avid lover of health, wellness, and connecting to the outside world around us. As a Cal Poly English major alumn, she has a knack for books, writing, and all things words. In her free time, she enjoys being outside, drinking craft beers, and keeping life jazzy!