Amelia Braddick sat down with Max Henderson, co-founder and CEO, Hotpod Yoga to discuss all things yoga.
Q. Can you tell us more about the inspiration behind Hotpod Yoga?
A. My co-founder Nick and I were old friends – and both late converts to yoga. I came at it very sceptical, but it ended up having a big impact on me. It was this journey into yoga that became the inspiration behind Hotpod Yoga.
We wanted to create an extraordinary yoga experience that cut through to a large and diverse audience who might otherwise not be interested in yoga, or who might have thought that it wasn’t for them.
Q. What makes Hotpod different from other traditional yoga practices or Bikram?
A. The Hotpod Yoga experience is really like no other – the unique atmosphere the pod creates, the 37 degree warmth, the ambient glow, the calming beats we curate for the classes and the beautiful scent too. It takes you a million miles away from the outside world and fully immerses you in the class.
Our practice is rooted in a form of yoga called Vinyasa Flow, which basically means moving fluidly and rhythmically through a series of physical movements and linking the breath.
Bikram Yoga is very different: within this practice, you follow a specific sequence of 26 postures, in a room heated to a much higher temperature.
Q. How does the 37-degree heat enhance the yoga experience and what the benefits?
A. The heat works the body a little more – raising the heart rate; and for newcomers the warmth can also really help ease you into the postures, gently loosening stiff bodies.
More broadly, the benefits of yoga are vast and varied – from supporting a stronger, healthier body, improving cardiovascular health and improving flexibility and joint mobility, to reducing stress and improving focus, building mental and physical resilience, and boosting recovery from injury.
Q. What advice would you give to people who haven’t done hot yoga before?
A. Take it easy. Take it one movement at a time. And don’t forget to keep gently breathing. Importantly, let the teachers guide you. And just enjoy it.
Q. What inspired the launch of the new studio in Shoreditch and why did you choose this location?
A. Our London audience has grown by 150% in the last two years, with 30,000 people in London now coming to our classes each year. We’re spread across all corners of the city now (almost), with ten studios in total (and 55 nationwide) – but Shoreditch is a location we’ve wanted to open for a long time.
We’ve built a strong following in the area through our Hackney studio – which has been there for 12 years – however Shoreditch is more centrally located and therefore introduces Hotpod Yoga to an even wider audience. It’s a neighbourhood that’s full of energy, creativity and buzz, and we’re excited to be a part of that.
Q. Can you explain more about your new class, ‘Sleep Sessions’, and how it’s designed to promote better sleep?
A. The Sleep Sessions class is a deeply calming class, designed to reset body and mind. It’s a pause in the day helps unclutter busy minds and wind-down tense bodies. These things are critical in supporting good sleep. And the response we’ve seen to it has been amazing.
While the classes all take place in the same peaceful, nurturing environment of our pods, the heat is dialled down for this class, which makes it the ideal introduction to Hotpod Yoga, while also appealing to an audience who may not have thought about taking a yoga class before. We all need good sleep!
Q. How does Hotpod Yoga help in building long-term positive habits and improving overall well-being?
A. Yoga has a very broad impact on wellbeing, and within our audience, how people engage with it really varies too. Some come daily and it’s a total staple of their day-to-day wellbeing. Others come a couple of times a month as a compliment to other wellbeing practices, or just to take some time out for themselves. What’s important is that you do what works for you!
Q. What future plans or upcoming classes can we expect from Hotpod Yoga to continue enhancing the practice and experience for your community?
A. We’ve got new studio launches across the country in some exciting spots, which means that more people will have easier access to our unique yoga offering than ever before.
Class wise, Sleep Sessions is the final piece of the puzzle for now – and gives us a full range of classes, from the more restorative and restful practice, to the more active and dynamic. Although look out for some of our studios running cold immersions in ice baths alongside Hotpod classes over the summer!
Hotpod Yoga Shoreditch opens in September 2024. To register for more details, click here or visit http://Hotpodyoga.com.
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