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yoga benefits

Apr 04
Love0

Nicole Purdie’s First Love Is Fitness, But She’s Married to Yoga

By Testimonial

Nicole Purdie loves a good Pilates, CrossFit or HIIT workout, and it shows. Though strong and muscular as a result, she struggled with pain from a car accident and needed to make a change.

“I had my first car accident, went to the chiropractor and was told I’d have to have surgery on my back if things didn’t change by the time I hit my 50s,” she said, “so I searched for a non-surgical solution.”

That change led her to Sterling Hot Yoga & Wellness in 2018. Though she’d never practiced yoga until she joined the studio, she’s found exactly what she was looking for and more.

“Practicing yoga has significantly impacted my mental focus/clarity, mobility, stress management and overall physical health,” Nicole said.

She chose Sterling primarily for the heat, which may help the body to feel more flexible and also reduce the risk of injury.

“The key was the heat,” Nicole said. “I normally work out alone, so I attempted it and the pain was unbearable without the heat.”

The improvements she began to notice were important, but she said the reason she keeps coming back to Sterling is because of the teachers. 

“The atmosphere of the studio and the knowledge of the teachers keeps me coming back,” she said. “Listening to the dialogue of each teacher, I realized that each of them brought something unique and beneficial to each class. I listened intently and I got better with each class.”

Starting something new isn’t always easy, but being met with encouragement goes a long way in sticking with it.

“My first class was with Danni. She made me feel comfortable and OK with my inability to execute the postures,” Nicole said. “She even mailed a postcard to my residence full of encouragement. I still have that postcard which further reiterates the awesomeness of the teachers.” 

True to her first love in fitness, Nicole envisioned doing more Pilates classes at Sterling when she started, but she found an even better solution. 

“I had read the book by Joseph Pilates Contrology,” she said. “His story of healing the spinal issues he faced was phenomenal!

“But the true medicine for me was and still is in the yoga classes. Although Pilates, CrossFit and HIIT workouts have always been my first love when it comes to fitness, metaphorically speaking I am married to yoga! I will be doing yoga in my 80s if I am still able to do so.”

Nicole knows firsthand that everyone begins their fitness or yoga journey at a different place, but the beginning isn’t what’s important.

“It’s not how you start, but how you finish,” she said. “If you put in the effort you will improve and become a healthier version of yourself.”

There’s only one way to get started, exactly where you are today! Join Nicole and others in our Sterling community with our new member special. It’s just $39 for one month of unlimited classes.

Jun 12
Love0

Mandi Cameron Finds Transformation in Yoga, Inferno Hot Pilates

By Testimonial

Yoga Pilates Transformation Before and After Workout Sterling Hot Yoga Mobile ALMandi Cameron admits she was unhappy, but she was more determined to make positive changes in her life. When she saw that Sterling Hot Yoga & Wellness was offering an open house almost three years ago, she “jumped at the opportunity to try two free classes.”

“After the birth of my youngest daughter, I was extremely unhappy with not just my appearance, but my overall health,” she said.

It didn’t take long for her to decide she wanted to commit to Sterling. After the first class she took during that open house weekend, Mandi said, “I went straight to the front desk to sign up!”

That was almost three years ago, and her progress has been significant—in many ways.

“Most people probably don’t remember when I first became a member at Sterling,” she said. “I had not worked out consistently in years. I had just had my second child and my body was most certainly not in shape.

“I was so unhappy,” she admitted. “I hated taking pictures and I feared seeing anyone I knew out. I wanted change.”

Mandi found the change she wanted—and a lot more—by consistently practicing Inferno Hot Pilates and vinyasa flow.

“Honestly, a consistent practice at Sterling helped me to believe in myself. Every class, I try to take the opportunity to be a little better than the class before, stretch deeper, let go, push harder,” she said. “I never considered myself to be athletic, but Sterling has brought out the fitness fanatic in me!”

Sterling was an easy choice for Mandi. It’s only a couple of minutes away from her house, and the benefits she’s experienced—overall improved mood, greater flexibility that enhances her weightlifting, and ability to focus and stay in the present—are worth it!

When asked what keeps her coming back to practice, she sums it up in one word. “Um…sanity! Well, that was what kept me coming at first…that and sheer determination!,” she said. “The quick results you see sure help your drive to come as well. I absolutely love the feeling of sweating everything out— toxins, bad energy, a day that didn’t go right. I ALWAYS feel better after a class. I’ve never regretted taking a class for sure!”

If the process seems too easy, Mandi assured that it hasn’t been. “It was hard. There were a lot of early mornings in the cold, late nights rolling out my sore muscles, begrudgingly making healthier choices,” she said. “But I completely finally fell in love with working out and—MOST IMPORTANTLY—I fell in love with my own skin. Working out wasn’t a chore, but an opportunity to prove to myself what my body—what I—am capable of.”

For that, she credits Inferno Hot Pilates, one of Sterling’s most popular classes that is a bootcamp style, high intensity interval workout, for making her “absolutely fall in love with working out.”

“That hour I carved out for myself where I didn’t have to think about my to do list, what I needed to do for everyone else, just an hour to push myself to the limits while barely hanging on—it was everything I never knew I needed. And it didn’t stop there!,” she said. “Everything I had ever tried before at the gym that I hated? I started loving it. I can’t stop trying new lifts, new classes, learning new things.”

It should come as no surprise that Mandi is now an Inferno Hot Pilates teacher. She pours her heart and soul into every class, just like she does as a student, and everyone loves her and the challenging, but rewarding workouts she leads.

Because of her own journey, Mandi encourages others to try yoga at Sterling. “I think a lot of people are intimidated by the heat. I tell them to embrace it and use it to detoxify their spirit,” she said. “Also, everyone is so encouraging and that there are all levels in every class. You’re so focused on your personal practice that  no one is looking around, so don’t feel embarrassed or like you’re being scrutinized…. We’re all just trying to make it through, I promise no one noticed you fall out of a pose!”

Sterling Hot Yoga & Wellness offers a new member special, $30 for 30 days of unlimited practice, to encourage everyone to experience all of our classes. But don’t expect the change you want to happen right away.

“Transformation is a slow journey. Real change is not a quick fix, but day after day of consistency, hard work and commitment. It’s also not linear. Everyone gets in a rut—we’re human!

“Honor yourself, make time for yourself every day, and if you’re unhappy like I was, make a decision right now to do something about it,” Mandi said, “or better yet, come try a class with me!”

For just $30, you can take a class with Mandi or any one of our other great instructors at Sterling. Click here to sign up and take the first step of your own transformation!

 

Sep 15
Love0

Reid Gilbert Experiences Less Stress, Anxiety Through Yoga

By Testimonial

customer satisfaction client testimonial yoga testimonial sterling hot yoga mobile alReid Gilbert had a passing interest in yoga, trying a few classes at gyms over the years. But when he found himself between jobs a few years ago, he dabbled with practicing on his own using a manual.

“Once I realized that was a ridiculous idea, I sought out a studio,” he said.

Thanks to friends and family members, he knew that yoga held positive benefits. And thanks to friends, he was familiar with Sterling Hot Yoga & Wellness.

“I decided that sweating through a yoga class would be an interesting workout,” Reid said. And two-and-a-half years later, he’s still committed, and the changes he’s experienced keep him coming back.

“It’s pretty simple:I always feel great after yoga practice, and the benefits are cumulative, so it’s been easy to integrate into my life,” he said. “I also love the daily challenges and discoveries that come with a consistent practice.”

Some of the positive changes Reid has experienced through a consistent yoga practice are keeping physically fit, improving his diet and sleeping better.

“Most importantly, practicing 26/2 taught me how to properly breathe,” he said. “My anxiety and stress levels are lower than ever, and I attribute that to simply being mindful about my breathing patterns.”

Reid said he’s surprised at how easy it was to make healthy choices as a byproduct of his practice. “It’s not nearly as difficult as I thought it would be,” he said.

His thoughts after the first class were definitely different though. Reid said his first thought was, “‘What in the hell just happened?’ And then I came back the next morning!”

He credited Sterling’s welcoming and supporting environment as encouragement for new students to come in an practice. “If you have even the slightest interest in yoga, show up and take a class,” he said. “It will be rewarding!”

His advice to first-time students?

“Are you interested in improving your health, cultivating better focus, or becoming more self-aware? That’s what you’ll gain from yoga,” Reid said. “It makes no difference how flexible you are, or what your fitness level is. There are no requirements other than being open-minded about the experience.”

Are you ready to see what a consistent yoga practice can do for you? Sign up for our new member special, $30 for 30 days of unlimited practice, and experience the benefits for yourself!