Admittedly, I am a Bikram yoga junkie. The heat and sweat is addicting, as is the one and a half hours of being free from texts, cell calls – and laundry. Doing the same 26 poses day after day with the same dialogue is like meditating: It’s a known routine, so you don’t have to think. (And what a rare thing in life is that!)
But, like most routines in life, one day you are ready for a change – wishing you could go into downward dog, just to mix things up — get that creak out of your back!
So when I hear one of my instructors buzzing about MODO Yoga, a practice originating out of Canada, that is bringing together hatha and ashtanga vinyasa flow— all in a “hot” environment – and growing more and more popular in the US.
I am intrigued, so I set off to the heart of Los Angeles (currently the only MODO studio in California) to find out what this is all about.
As I enter, I love the clean, green, naturally lit entry off of La Brea. The staff is friendly, helpful and there are smiling mixed faces and genders chatting on the couch. There is no LA “attitude” just a genuine welcoming down-to-earth vibe. Something really good is happening here….
As I first timer, I take the traditional no frills Modo class.
A unique series of 40 postures that combine the precision of therapeutic yoga and the foundations of traditional yoga in a specially heated room (100F and 35% humidity).
The class starts off with Savasana and then moves into a standing series, that incorporates both traditional hatha poses, such as the warrior series, downward dog – and a number of others.
In some cases we would hold the pose for a minute, in other cases, much less. Sometimes doing the pose only once – other times coming back to the pose numerous times
The floor series also combined traditional hatha with astanga, focusing not only on strengthening the back, but the core.
Final Savasana – I was drenched, but I felt good!
One of the things I loved about the routine is that it’s really not a routine. How long you hold the pose – or the sequence is really up to the teacher as they are encouraged to bring their own unique knowledge and experience every time they enter the room to teach. I love this!
One other note to other hot yoga junkies you think that 100F is amateur hour compared to Bikram’s 104F. You will be drenched!
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