FAQs

Regardless of your age or physical condition, yoga can help you significantly improve your health and quality of life. Yoga benefits every system of the body and improves your physical, mental, emotional and spiritual states.

• Reduce stress • Lower blood pressure • Detoxification of the body • Increased metabolism • Improves flexibility • Eases depression • Relaxes the mind • Improve physical fitness • Better circulation • Nourishes skin • Improves breathing • Improves immune system

Yes, anyone can do yoga! We have all types of classes suited for your needs. You can find our schedule online, send an email if you have questions, or even better stop by the studio.

You don’t have to, but we will see when you sign up if it is your first visit. Our desk staff and teachers try to do their best to introduce themselves and be sure you find your way around. If for some reason, we miss the que in our system…please feel free to introduce yourself. It helps us to offer more modifications in class if we know there are new students. Plus, it’s nice to get to know a new face!

Start by downloading the Mindbody app for iPhone or Android. Search for Empower Hot Yoga and create an account. From there, you can book a class or purchase a package. If you’ve never been to the studio before, be sure to take advantage of our Intro Special *30 days of Unlimited yoga + 1 (20-minute) private lesson with the owner for only $70. You can also give us a call or send us an email if you have any additional questions or simply need help.

The short answer, no! Our studio is open to all ages, old and young. For the younger kids our studio offers Empowered Littles I, II & Tween classes specifically for kids ages 13 and under. If parents would like to bring their teens between the ages of 14-17, they get to practice completely free with advance reservation notice to save their place. (Limited spots saved per classes for teens). We love that you want to incorporate yoga in the younger generation, and we are all for it.

There’s a lot of options. You can start by trying out some of our On-demand classes from home. Another great way is for you to stop by one of our New Client Orientations held every Friday from 1:30-3:30 PM. If you can’t make it to orientation because of scheduling obligations, please reach out via email at owner@empowerhy.com and we can schedule a time that works best for you to come in and talk. Lastly, you can always take a private lesson or two. Our experienced teachers will be able to guide you through your own personal modifications and get you ready to take any class, and still practice in a way that suits your physical needs.

Yes, we have complete showers, restrooms, and changing facilities for men and women. With complimentary bathroom toiletries.

Talk with the instructor before the class to discuss your injury or limitations. We always try to offer modifications, but this will allow the instructor to plan or assist you during class should you need it. We always encourage modifications and adjustments to the postures or flow as needed. You know your body better than anyone se never hesitate to express that kindness and selflove to yourself at any point in your practice. We are proud to encourage no judgement.

Perfect! The most common misconception that prevents people from coming to yoga classes is that you need to be flexible. Yoga is not about how physically flexible you are today; it’s about increasing your flexibility to protect mobility for the future.

Yes! All of our classes are suitable for beginners yet challenging enough for advanced practitioners. Any size, shape, condition or background can do hot yoga. Be mindful to take your time and listen to your body.

We get it, working out in a hot room sounds crazy. Most new students come in with the idea that the heat will be unbearable and go on to find it a necessity to their yoga practice. Everyone is different, but the idea of it is typically worse than the reality. One of the things yoga teaches us is “Tapas” which means to stay in our fire…or discipline. this is just one of the MANY benefits of the heat. The heat actually heats muscle and fat tissue which purges your system and alleviates pain and toxins from the body. The heat also helps your muscles loosen up. At the end of the day, the worst that can happen is you don’t get used to it and leave. At best you come to LOVE it and crave the sweat.

We do have a few classes that are warm or non-heated. Take a look at these classes - Empowered Vinyasa, Inferno Pilates & Sculpt, Gentle Vinyasa, shake your Asana, Sunday Funday, Kundalini

• Arrive 15 minutes before class to sign in and meet the instructor • Drink plenty of water the day before and day of class • Wear breathable clothing • Bring a yoga mat, mat towel. shower towel and water (rentals are available at the studio!) • Try not to eat 2 hours before class or keep it light! • Take off shoes in the lobby or changing room (no shoes allowed inside the yoga room) • No talking inside the yoga rooms (keep conversations outside of the yoga room) • Come chat with us after class. We would love to hear about your experience and answer any questions.

The studio opens 20 minutes before each class. We recommend first time students to arrive 15 minutes before class in order to fill out the waiver, meet the instructor, ask questions, and get familiar with the studio before class starts. For regulars, we recommend coming at least 10 minutes to get your spot in class.

Bring your yoga mat, a mat towel to cover your mat, shower towel if you want to shower, and a water bottle. Don’t have a mat or towel? These items are available to rent at a nominal fee or you can buy at our retails center. We have a filtered water dispenser to refill your water bottle. No water bottle, no problem. We sell cold water. For NEW clients please bring a valid ID that matches your waiver.

We recommend practicing 3 to 6 times a week for maximum benefits. Keep in mind that it can take a few classes for your body to get acclimated to exercising in a heated environment. We encourage new clients to practice at least 15 times in the first 30 days to give hot yoga a fair chance and really see the benefits in your daily life. As long as you are staying properly hydrated, you can practice as much as you want.

We lock our doors during class for the safety and security of our students. So, if you arrive and the doors are locked this indicates class is in session and you have missed your opportunity to join in. Our priority is to promptly begin and end class on time. We recommend getting to the studio 10-15 minutes before class starts so you have plenty of time to get ready for your practice.

Yes! The gift of yoga is priceless. Simply come by the studio and one of our lovely employees can assist you. Gift certificates are also redeemable online on our website www.empowerhy.com or you can email me directly at owner@empowerhy.com

Wear whatever is comfortable. Form fitting clothing is typically better than loose fitting for yoga. We also recommended moisture-wicking synthetic fabric over cotton, because cotton gets really wet and heavy after a hot yoga session. Socks and shoes are not worn during class unless you are wearing Yogi toe socks. Please do not wear perfume, cologne, and try to come to class scent free.

Our yoga teachers often end class with the ancient traditional phrase “Namaste”. This gesture is an acknowledgment of one soul to another. “Nama” means bow; “as” means I; and “te” means you. Therefore, Namaste literally means “bow me you” or “I bow to you”. This gesture is a deep form of respect and a wonderful way to seal your yoga practice and hard work.

Empower Hot Yoga is not responsible for any lost or misplaced items. If you believe you’ve left an item at the studio, please check the studio’s Lost & Found bin or send an email to owner@empowerhy.com and we can check for you. All items in the Lost & Found bin are donated on the 1st of every other month.

• Take breaks anytime • Try to stay in the hot room for the entire class (if you need to leave, walk out quitely and return back on your mat when you are ready - signal to teacher if you are in need of assistance for emergency) • No talking or whispering in class (leave conversations in the lobby) • Look at the teacher or around the room if you get lost throughout the sequence • Don’t forget to breath and stay hydrate.

• Roll up your mat, grab your belonging and quietly leave the room (If you have a rental, please wipe down the mat, roll it up and place it in the used mat bin in the changing room) • If you got a cold face towel at the end of class please toss them in the laundry bin in the changing room • Continue to drink lots of water after class • Enjoy the yoga high • Don’t forget to take all your belongings home including your shoes • Come talk with us after class and ask questions or simply just socialize, we love getting to know you all • Come back soon

Our memberships vary from month-to-month and a 6 or 12-month commitment, so please email owner@empowerhy.com to contact the owner directly about your membership. You may also go to our website www.empowerhy.com. We do not accept verbal cancelations. If you notify someone at the front desk you would like to cancel, they will direct you to email the studio. Please note your membership is not canceled until you get a cancelation confirmation email back. All memberships can be frozen up to 3 months a year.

Our students tend to have so much fun that they want to capture the moment on camera! We do encourage this, but please be courteous of your fellow yogis and wait to take photos either before or after class. We also (extremely) encourage you to be extra mindful in the changing rooms and avoid taking any photos unless the room is empty. We have plenty of other photo op spots in the studio. We do not allow phones or cameras inside the yoga rooms during class unless for promotional marketing approved in advance. If we have extra time after class, we would be happy to help you get into your favorite pose and capture a good photo for you to show off. Don’t forget to tag us @empowerhy and #empowerhotyoga

If you no longer can attend the class you registered for, please use the Mindbody online app to cancel your reservation. If you cannot cancel through the app please send an email to owner@empowerhy.com or send a text message to (530) 566-2700 requesting to be removed from class. If the email is sent in the approved cancellation window you will be removed from class and not charged a late cancel or no show fee of $10. Due to limited capacity, this policy is strictly enforced.

We only leave a handful of spots open per class for news and walk-ins. We highly encourage you to register for classes in advance to guarantee your place in class. If you do not register for class in advance, you are not guaranteed a place in class.

It’s easy! Simply click on the Schedule tab on the top of the website and click Empower Schedule. This will take you to our weekly class schedule page. From there you can find the class you would like to attend and next to it click ‘book now’. You can also use the Mindbody Online App and login to your account and book your class. If you need help at all with learning the ropes on how to register and cancel reservations, we are happy to assist you, just reach out and we can set a day and time to meet in-studio to go over it together. We are here for you and want this to be as seamless as possible for you.

Eat at least two hours before class and wait at least a half hour after class to eat. You may feel nauseous or tired if you eat too close before practicing. It is best to practice yoga on an empty stomach. Drink plenty of water before, during and after class. Stay as hydrated as possible by drinking water or electrolytes in your drink throughout the day before you practice.