Hot Yoga involves a fairly rigorous practice in 105-degree temperatures, usually for 90 minutes and covering 26 yoga poses or ‘Asanas’.
It’s typically known as ‘Bikram Yoga’ which is the original hot yoga practice – and the most well known.
Since its inception, Bikram Yoga has attracted yogis and practitioners from all over the world, including Hollywood’s finest stars who have consistently wanted to enjoy its benefits.
These include:
Cleansing the body of toxins
Increasing lung capacity
Promoting flexibility
Improving the immune system
Weight loss.
One of America’s biggest hot yoga fans is without a doubt Czech-born lawyer and businesswoman, Petra Starke.
Entrepreneur and lawyer, Petra Starke
When Bikram Yoga became extremely fragmented and diluted almost over night, it was time to change it and introduce some innovation.
In fact, the former General Counsel of the Council of Economic Advisers to President Obama used to spend her spare time teaching hot yoga at the White House gym.
And just as Petra’s affinity for hot yoga increased over time, she decided to enter the hot yoga sector, professionally.
Whilst working as President & CEO at Bikram to professionalize the movement, Petra grew the business to over 1,000 independent studios worldwide.
She also brought the physiological and psychological benefits of exercising in elevated temperatures to millions of people worldwide.
But today, after various legal difficulties and following the exit of the Bikram namesake founder, Bikram Choudray, the once robust and popular hot yoga concept began to look fragile and could have finally lost its spark.
Sensing the perfect opportunity to fill a void, share her passion with the world and to create something fresh, Petra’s exciting hot yoga venture was born.