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Monthly Archives

November 2019

How Iron Hour Works With Other Sterling Classes

By News

Practicing Iron Hour consistently can help improve your upper body and core strength, which can help improve your balance in your original hot yoga and vinyasa classes.

A stronger core does more than help your balance in Standing Head to Knee and Standing Bow. It can help give you strength to twist in Triangle and Spine Twist too.

Like original hot yoga, vinyasa works the whole body, but the emphasis on the upper body is more pronounced, thanks to chaturangas and planks.

To be fair, both original hot yoga and vinyasa can help you build a strong core too, but the addition of weights in Iron Hour can add that little extra when you need to change up your routine.

Even practicing your grip on the weights in Iron Hour can refine smaller details of your practice like sealing your hands together in Half Moon and Standing Separate Leg Head to Knee.

If you haven’t tried Iron Hour, make plans to soon! We offer it three times a week at Sterling — 8:15 a.m. on Sundays, Tuesdays and Thursdays.

Take at least one class a week for a month, and see your strength improve!

 

Katie Turner Discovers Yoga With a Little Help From a Friend

By Testimonial

Katie Turner discovered yoga three years ago after being “dragged to a HOT 90 class by a friend” in Birmingham. 

“I had never been very flexible and I was sure that I wouldn’t be able to do it, but I survived and I loved it,” she said. “I signed up for a membership after that and have been hooked ever since.”

Katie described herself as a regular in Hot Pilates and Buti yoga classes after surviving the HOT 90, so when she moved back home to Mobile about a year ago, she was determined to continue her practice. That’s when she discovered Sterling.

“The Hot Pilates classes are my absolute favorite, and I saw that they were offered at Sterling,” she said. “I signed up for the initial $30 for 30 days and loved it.” 

Katie has experienced many benefits from her yoga and Pilates practice, such as injury recovery and improved energy levels.

“The biggest benefit that I have experienced would have to be complete relief from lower back pain that had plagued me for years from a previous injury. I’ve also noticed that when I keep up a regular routine of yoga/Pilates, my energy levels are up and I feel capable,” she said. “Amongst other things, this leads me to wake up earlier, to be more productive at work, to put more effort into my relationships. I function at a much higher level in all aspects of my life.”

But the most satisfying reason Katie keeps coming back is reaching new levels in her practice.

“I come back to practice because I love how yoga/Pilates makes me feel. There is nothing more satisfying than my body doing something that it was not capable of months before,” she said. “Also, the lavender towels at the end of class do not hurt.”

Katie took her first Pilates class—and first class at Sterling—in September 2018. Though she said it was obvious to her that she hadn’t practiced in months, she said she “was excited to see how strong I could become.”

Looking back over her consistent practice, Katie is most surprised by her changed mindset and how much she is able to accomplish.

“Before yoga, I had never really had a workout practice or consistent routine. Never in a million years would I have pictured myself being able to do some of the things I do now,” she said. “I am really proud of the endurance that I have built up to be able to get through some of these classes because they are tough!”

Getting to this point in her practice didn’t happen all at once, Katie admits, so she encourages new students to be patient as they work toward the results or goals they have in mind. 

“Flexibility and endurance are not built overnight,” she said. “Any sort of goal is worth putting in the work!!!”

Practicing in the supportive environment that Sterling offers has made putting in the work a little easier for her.

“I have loved coming to Sterling Hot Yoga since day one! The instructors and staff have been so supportive and kind. They really push you to work towards the best version of yourself,” she said. “I can’t wait to see where my practice will take me!”

You can join Katie at Sterling and work toward your goals together! We offer a $30 intro special for new students that includes 30 days of unlimited practice. Click here to sign up. There is no better time or deal to take the first step to a healthier, happier you!

 

Black Friday Deal: FREE Yoga ALL Day!

By Events

You won’t have to go too far to get one of the best Black Friday deals in town this year! We’re offering FREE classes again ALL DAY!

It’s become a Sterling tradition for us to welcome everyone to practice for free on Black Friday.  

We consider it our way of saying ‘thank you’ for all the community support we’ve been shown since our founding in 2010.  

Our schedule on Friday, Nov. 29 will be as follows:

9:30 AM – Inferno Hot Pilates
11:00 AM – Vinyasa Flow
2:30 PM – Original Hot 60
4:00 PM – Yin Yoga

Everyone is welcome to experience the healing therapeutic benefits of yoga for FREE. 

We recommend you reserve your spot in one (or more) classes by clicking here. You may be prompted to create an account unless you have set up one previously.

Please come join us on Black Friday! You won’t find a better deal than the gift of better health!

 

Sterling Thanksgiving Holiday Schedule

By Announcement

During this holiday season, we are definitely grateful for students like you who make Sterling the amazing yoga community that it is. 

We are also thankful for our staff who works hard to provide you the high standard of classes and service that you deserve. 

We’ll offer an abbreviated holiday schedule that will allow you opportunities to practice and allow our staff some downtime to enjoy the holiday with their friends and families. 

Holiday schedule is as follows:

Tuesday, Nov. 26
No Fusion Pilates at Noon
Regular Schedule Otherwise

Wednesday, Nov. 27
No Yin Yoga at 6:45 PM
Regular Schedule Otherwise

Thursday, Nov. 28 – Thanksgiving
8:15 AM – Original Hot 90

Friday, Nov. 29 – Black Friday
See Schedule Above

We’ll return to our regular schedule on Saturday, Nov. 30. 

Have a safe and happy Thanksgiving, everyone!

Yin + Yoga Nidra Returns Nov. 24

By Events

Candlelight Yin + Yoga Nidra is back, and just in time for one of the busiest seasons of the year!

Give yourself permission to slow down among the chaos and make self-care a priority. 

Candlelight Yin + Yoga Nidra is a great way to do it, and it’s back on Sunday, Nov. 24 from 4:30 p.m. – 6 p.m.

The one-hour yin yoga practice 30-minute yoga nidra guided meditation practice adds up to bliss for your body AND your brain.

Yin helps improve concentration and flexibility, while has been proven to activate the relaxation response, which helps improve the functioning of the nervous system and endocrine system. 

Additional studies indicate that yoga nidra can help lower blood pressure and cholesterol, and improve blood glucose fluctuations and symptoms associated with diabetes. 

Yoga nidra can also help cells regenerate and repair, decrease anxiety and improve your mood. 

Yin + Yoga Nidra is a great way to end your weekend and get prepared for the week — and holiday season — ahead!

It’s open to the public at a special drop-in rate of $10. Reserve your spot here!

 

Mark Your Calendars and Make Plans Now! Happy Hour FREE Yoga and FREE Sushi Nov. 22

By Events

We’ve got the healthiest and happiest happy hour in town, and we want to share it with you and your friends!

Join our Happy Hour Yoga with Friends class on Fridays at 5:30 p.m. This 60-minute class is FREE for first-timers and comebacks!

On Friday, Nov. 22 we’re adding FREE sushi from our neighbor Rock-N-Roll Sushi to make it even happier. 

Sterling members, bring friends! Even if you’re not a Sterling member right now (or don’t know one), the class is FREE so come on and make new friends!

Sterling Silent 90 Music Series Returns! Practice to the Music of Broadway Nov. 21

By Events

So far we’ve had some great soundtracks for our Silent 90 Music Series!  

We’re so excited for this next one too on Thursday, Nov. 21 at 6:45 p.m. Don’t miss this unique experience to practice to the Music of Broadway! 

Join Cassandra and the sounds of some of the most popular musicals, including The Phantom of the Opera, Mama Mia, Rock of Ages and more. 

We recommend that students have completed several Original Hot Yoga classes before taking this class.

During a silent class, expect no dialogue. The teacher leading the class will demonstrate and announce the each of the postures from the beginner’s series and when to change.

No current membership? No problem! This class is available at a special drop-in rate of only $10. Reserve your spot here!

 

Iron Hour: Don’t ‘Weight’ Around! Here’s Why You Should Take This Class!

By News

Iron Hour was the first non-original hot yoga class we branched out with at Sterling.

But, like all the other classes we offer, it’s a great complement to the original hot yoga on which the studio was founded.

Iron Hour is based on a vinyasa flow, but it incorporates weights to further enhance the benefits you can receive from yoga. 

Promote Muscle Growth and Protect Muscles: With the addition of weights, muscle oxygenation is improved. This also protects muscles from tears and strains because weightlifting works muscles closer to the bones.

Strengthen Your Core: Using weights strengthens more than just your arms. But you have to strengthen the core of the body before you can strengthen arms and legs. Iron Hour can improve your posture, protect your lower back and even protect your internal organs with its focus on the core.

Improve Balance and Coordination: This is directly related to original hot yoga. Just think of the balancing series! But balance means more than standing on one leg; it also means discovering balance of ease and effort when muscles work together. Improving balance also improves your coordination and concentration — great skills off the mat too!

Build Bone Density: Lifting weights creates resistance, your muscles pulling against your bones. That introduces stress (in a good way!) on your bones. When your body detects this, it sends a signal to the cells in your bones that makes them stronger and denser.

Get Stronger With Age: Yoga can build bone density and muscle mass, but it’s recommended that you incorporate weights as you get older. Muscle mass decline begins at age 40, and by the age of 70 you could lose 30 percent if you stay sedentary. Iron Hour is a great way to complement your yoga routine and get stronger!

We offer Iron Hour three times a week – 8:15 a.m. Tuesdays, Thursdays and Sundays. Make time for it and see how it changes your original hot yoga practice!

 

Fusion Pilates Now on Tuesdays at a NEW Time

By Announcement

Fusion Pilates is a great mindful workout in which you get personalized feedback that helps you build strength and tone!

In this class, Ashley Keigley, a very experienced teacher and student, will help you focus on the fundamentals of alignment that are essential to all the other classes we offer. 

If you haven’t tried this class yet, you can get the special drop-in rate of $10 – which has been extended through November! Additional dates for this class in November are Nov. 12 and Nov. 19. 

These classes are included in active Sterling memberships. If you aren’t an active member, ask us about comeback specials for returning students and intro specials for first-timers. 

Congratulations, Fall Challengers!

By Announcement
Last week, the Fit For Fall 30-Day Challenge came to an end, and we’re so proud of everyone who signed up to challenge themselves!
 
Completing 30 classes in 31 days is quite a challenge. But so many of you made the commitment to push yourself anyway.
 
Whether you completed the challenge or not, we hope that you enjoyed the benefits of practicing consistently — which is really the ongoing challenge!
 
Congratulations to the following students who successfully finished at least 30 classes in 30 days:
 
Robert Carlock, 36
Mendy Bornfleth, 31
Candice Cravins, 31
Audrey Williamson, 31
Paula Brown, 30
Ellen Taylor, 30
 
Everyone who completes the challenge will earn a challenge T-shirt, the eternal recognition of signing the challenge wall and an entry into our drawing at the challenge party for some cool prizes.
 
The top three prizes are: 1 Ultrasound Cavitation Treatment ($140 value); 3 Light Pod Sessions ($99 value); and a massage from Arnie Harrison ($65 value). 
 
You’re invited to attend the challenge party immediately following the 5:30 p.m. Happy Hour class on Friday, Nov. 8. We’ll also draw for challenge prizes at that time.
 
We can’t wait to celebrate you and your achievements!