If you’ve been around here for a while, you already know—yoga is part of my daily life. Outside, on my own time, in my own space. Extreme cold and rain may delay it. Bring it inside. But not much else does. For my new family, welcome, and now you know too.
Hot yoga had been sitting on my “I should try that” list for a while. What finally moved it off the list? My classmate Dr. D. Martin. If you follow him, you’ve seen the post-hot-yoga pictures—glistening, smiling, unbothered, and clearly living. He knew I practiced and encouraged me to try it. One afternoon I finally put his nudge to action, opened Groupon, searched hot yoga, and found five session at Yoga Rocks in Rowlett.
Was I nervous? No. I practice outside in Texas. In the summer. I figured hot yoga and I already had an understanding. I was about to find out we did not.
Class One: The Vinyasa Flow That Put Me In My Place
I dragged my road dog along, which made it better. We walked in and I felt confident. I know yoga. I practice yoga. I’m ready.
The Vinyasa flow class moved through poses I had never done before—new sequences, new transitions—and the heat wraps around you like a second skin the moment you step in. The sweat was pouring. Uncontrollably. And once it started, it did not stop until we exited the building.
The instructor was excellent. The studio was welcoming. And I was absolutely humbled in the best possible way.
By the end I was drenched, worked, and weirdly euphoric. That post-practice high you feel after a really good session. Outside. Multiplied. I walked out genuinely impressed—with the class, with the instructor, and with myself for finally showing up.
(The full experience is on the vlog—dropping Thursday on YouTube. My road dog had commentary that belongs on camera, not in a blog. You’ll want to see it.)
Class Four: Hot 26.2 and the Plot Twist My Sinuses Needed
The Hot 26.2 class is a completely different experience. Where Vinyasa is a flow—movement, music, transitions. Hot 26.2 is structured and intentional. Twenty-six postures and two breathing exercises targeting the six major spinal movements.
One hundred and five degrees Fahrenheit. Forty percent humidity. I honestly cannot remember if there was music. But as always, and as it should be, all levels were welcomed.
I went into this class carrying two days of sinus and allergy pressure that had put me flat in bed the day before. Foggy. Headache. Could not see or think straight. As a yogi, I already know what deep intentional breath work and movement can do for the body, so I was genuinely looking forward to the practice for that specific reason. I needed it to work.
I walked out and the pressure was gone! Not eased—gone. What happens at 105 degrees with 30-40% humidity is not a casual sweat. That is your body releasing everything it has been holding onto. I felt clear in a way that two days of rest had not managed to give me.
And my 4C ladies. I say this with full love and zero judgement. Forty percent humidity at 105 degrees is not playing with your hair. Plan accordingly. You have been warned.
The Honest Take
Would I go back? Here’s my real answer.
I have honestly enjoyed every class at Yoga Rocks. The instructor brings real knowledge and warmth, the studio is clean and welcoming from the moment you walk in, and what this practice does for the body is not up for debate. I have zero complaints about the experience itself.
What I can be honest about is this—I am not much of a gym schedule person these day, and thirty minutes each way is a real commitment when your practice already lives comfortably in your daily routine at home. If a studio like this were closer to me, especially in the winter when outdoor yoga loses some of its appeal, I could see me making it a regular thing—maybe. The benefits are that real.
I still have one session left on the Groupon, plus a free cold plunge. I already know exactly how I’m walking out of that room. Drenched. Cleared out. And grateful I experienced the heat. Thank you Dr. Dale!
BTW: “However long the night, the dawn will break.” – African proverb
Have you ever tried hot yoga—or is it on your list like it was on mine? Drop it in the comments. And if you’re local and know a great studio closer to the Mesquite area, I’m all ears.
Other Post You May Enjoy
Embracing Yoga: A Practice of Body, Mind, and Spirit Connection
Things I’ve Been Noticing Lately
Taekwondo & Yoga for Strength: Back to the Mat and Reclaiming Stillness
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