In hot yoga, “no shoes, no shirt, no problem” is the perfect phrase, as shoes are not permitted and many people do not wear shirts in class because of the temperature. Hot yoga is an amazing way to detox and relax before, during or after a long day especially because of the heat and its ability to relax one’s muscles.
The practice of hot yoga is exactly as it sounds: an instructor teaches yoga in a hot room that usually goes up to around 100 degrees Fahrenheit. After visiting three hot yoga studios in downtown Bethesda, I compared them and decided which were my favorite.
Costing around $20 dollars for a 60 minute class, SoulFire Collective is a unique below-ground studio found right in the heart of Bethesda on Cordell Avenue. Although the classes are crowded, the instructor does a fantastic job of making sure everyone is set up properly. The studio provides mats, towels and beverages so that everyone has what they need before the class begins.
The studio itself has a look more targeted to women, with purple LED lights lining the walls and a box of hair ties at the front. With the majority of participants being women in unique workout sets, I definitely did not feel insecure or embarrassed when walking through the doors. The music throughout the class is upbeat and hype, creating less of a calming environment and more of an energetic workout environment.
A unique quality of this studio from others is the original yoga routines. The instructor goes through a few rounds of movement that the class should follow, and afterwards everyone is instructed to pick their own pace and intensity of the moves.
The next studio I went to is called PureFire Yoga, a top floor studio overlooking the busy streets of Bethesda and shops surrounding it on Norfolk Avenue. The open windows help illuminate the studio, creating a peaceful and calming atmosphere. My first impression of the studio was that it is a friendly class with a strong yoga community.
Before the class begins, participants set up their mats in a large room, and come back into the lobby to pick a mindfulness card that sits beside them for the class. These cards can range from words of affirmation to motivation.
Class sizes are typically smaller than SoulFire, at around 10 to 15 people, which gives the instructor the ability to be more hands-on with each individual. The classes are on the cheaper side, at around $15-25 for a 60 minute class. The studio requires attendees to bring their own mat, and is more suited for more experienced yoga participants. However, it is still a zero judgement environment and welcome to participants of all levels of familiarity.
This studio focuses on moving at the same pace as a group through the strict and coordinated routine of the class. The moves are both fun and tiring, however, they are not very original and don’t differ much between each class. But, the class guarantees attendees to be dripping with sweat by the end.
Out of the three I visited, this studio was my least favorite. Also, the studio does not permit anyone under the age of 16 to practice. I got special permission to go in with my mom, however I could not join in on the yoga. The heat of the class only went up to around 84 degrees Fahrenheit, so was not nearly as hot as most classes. The teacher provided lots of instruction, making the workout almost informational instead of being entertainment and exercise.
The last studio I visited, CorePower Yoga, is a top floor studio with two very large and spacious rooms on Wisconsin Avenue. The class costs $35 for a 60 minute class, and only had around five people attending, giving the instructor the ability to give a very personalized lesson.
This class is definitely right for beginners, as it has different amenities and lots of help and direction given to get the students through the somewhat basic movements of the class. CorePower has many different levels for each class so participants can pick which to go to based on their skill sets.
The studio has large mirrors lining one of the walls facing the participants of the class, giving the feel of a dance studio, rather than a yoga studio. The lobby has a small store for merch, however, much of it is overpriced, ranging from $60-120.
Overall, these studios were engaging and fun to try. If looking for an enjoyable workout class and to break a sweat, while also staying in tune with your body, I would definitely recommend SoulFire and PureFire. However, for a more beginner and informational class to get into the practice of yoga, try CorePower.
