The heated yoga class offerings of Sacred utilize the concepts and class offerings developed by evolation. Our core offerings combine heated yoga with meditation to facilitate a powerful physical, mental and spiritual transformation.
All classes are taught by certified evolation teachers, so you know you’ve got a well-trained guide as you progress down the Self-directed path of your choice.
About Evolation Yoga
a more Self-centered yoga
evolation is devoted to helping you become more Self-centered – in an ego-free way. By combining the powerful physical properties of heated yoga with the awareness-enhancing effects of meditation, evolation’s aim is to make you healthier, happier, and more in touch with that elusive little thing called the Self.
Embarking on this journey of Self-realization means sometimes turning our expectations (and ourselves) upside down. It means peppering our foundation with experimentation to forge an entirely new path: merging the mental with the physical in order to transcend them both. Most of all, it means evolving our practice to elevate our understanding of our world.
Learn more about our foundations and inspirations.
let’s talk about Self, baby
Wondering what all this Self stuff is about? It’s a good question – especially since our western conception of the word is generally so negative. From “self-absorbed” to “selfish,” almost all uses of this four-letter word carry some implied evil or weakness.
Perhaps that’s because we tend to confuse our outer layers with what constitutes our core. For when you get down to it, there’s nothing negative about nurturing the most basic elements of our being. In fact, it might be the most ego-free thing we can do.
So, it’s not that ego-centric self we seek at evolation, nor is it the self that we hope to see look smokin’ in a swimsuit (but let’s not rule that out as a side-effect).
evolation’s goal is to help you connect with your Self – with a capital S. When your mind’s chatter has ceased, and all that’s left is peace, stillness, and joy: that’s where you’ll find your Self, and that’s where evolation aspires to lead.
Benefits
help your Self – to some transcendent benefits
We’ve all heard that yoga is “good for you,” but what exactly does that mean? In the case of evolation, the fusion of hot yoga’s transformative properties with meditation’s awareness-enhancing effects translates to a superior benefits package that covers your body, mind, and spirit (with no deductibles or co-pays in sight). And there’s no requirements or restrictions on who can collect those benefits; they’re available to everyone – no matter where you are on the path.
While Self-discovery is our destination, a toned and healthy body, peaceful mind, and glowing skin make the inward journey an even more enjoyable ride. Of course, you get out what you put in. So, we recommend a regular practice of at least ten times a month to reap the biggest benefits.
Here’s a taste of some potential positive side effects of an active practice:
physical
- Weight loss
- Balanced metabolism
- Fit, sculpted, toned body
- Increased strength
- Glowing skin
- Better flexibility
- Strengthened immune system
- Well-regulated menstrual cycle
- Helps heal and prevent injuries and diseases
mental:
- Better focus and concentration
- Sounder sleep
- Increased willpower and determination
- Reduced stress and anxiety
- Improved memory
- Less risk of depression
spiritual:
- Feelings of peace, happiness, and gratitude
- Greater awareness of the external and internal
- Enhanced sense of purpose and clarity
- Connection with your Self
The foundation of Evolation
our yog-aha! moment
evolation was borne from a collective epiphany amongst teachers and students alike – that yoga must have the freedom to evolve in order to elevate the Self towards a higher state of awareness. While many of us came from different paths, our vision of a more expansive practice was the same: remove the rigidity, fuse the physical with the mental, and focus on the teachings – not the teacher. When these ideas, individuals, and inspirations came together, evolation came to be.
meditation + heated yoga = a divine combination
The word yoga is derived from the Sanskrit root, “yuj,” meaning “union.” At evolation, we apply this principle of inclusion to all of our offerings, starting with classes that enrich the heated hatha yoga espoused by Bishnu Gosh and Bikram Choudhury with the meditation techniques taught by Paramhansa Yogananda. Firmly rooted in these traditions, we find our foundation in their combination – producing an entirely new practice with the goal of facilitating spiritual awakening for a wide range of students.
we’re flexible, in more ways than one
So what does that mean for you? It means you’ve got more choice when it comes to how you access your Self. From varying levels of yoga classes, to meditation instruction, to workshops & retreats, teacher trainings and more, evolation is designed to help you find the Self-centered path that resonates with you.
And as the needs of our students evolve, so will we. We’re open to change. In fact, it’s our goal. If it’s transformation we seek, we won’t find it by staying static. That’s why we’ll adapt and evolve our offerings as the need arises. We follow the path we preach: Live by Example. Be the Change We Seek.
What to expect
While no two evolation classes will ever be quite the same (we can’t transform you if we don’t transform ourselves), most things remain constant. That means there are some standard things you can expect: most importantly, the need for an open mind and a readiness to sweat. Beyond that, here are some tips to prepare you from the inside out:
before class
- Yoga is best practiced on an empty stomach, so we recommended you don’t eat at least 2 hours before class.
- Water’s another story; make sure you come well hydrated by drinking plenty of water throughout the day.
- Wear whatever lets you move freely and sweat amply.
- Skip the perfume or scent; while it smells great on a date, your yoga mates might not appreciate it.
when you arrive
- Come 15 minutes early to register.
- Leave your shoes outside the room and turn your cell phone off.
- Mention any injuries or special conditions to the teacher at the beginning of the class so he or she can better guide you.
during class
- No experience or flexibility is required, so don’t worry if a particular pose seems daunting. Yoga practice is exactly that – a continual learning process for everyone, regardless of how long they’ve been doing it.
- Abandon the competitive mindset. There’s no winner or first place in yoga and meditation.
- Keep your eyes on your own practice. It’s only through self-observation that we can calm the mind, open the heart and accelerate our evolution.
- Be kind, loving and accepting of yourself. Do what you can with what you have – wherever you are. With yoga, that’s the perfect place to be.
FAQs
about evolation:
what makes evolation different from other yoga practices?
evolation maintains the unique commitment to constantly evolve in order to match the needs of our students, teachers, and studios. While there are many effective yoga systems in the West today, we strive to be accessible to all people, by bringing the best of these traditions to our students, and evolving when necessary.
is evolation just Bikram yoga with some added meditation?
No. While we draw much of our foundation and inspiration from Bikram yoga, evolation goes beyond simply marrying it with meditation. We’ve removed limitations from our model by moving away from a rigid structure – expanding our practice into the fuller spectrum of yoga. This means we can utilize more tools to facilitate awareness, and make the path to your Self more accessible.
how does evolation combine meditation with the physical yoga practice?
Our teachers thread meditation throughout the entire practice. We also end every class with several minutes of stillness in a seated meditation.
about the practice:
why is the room heated?
The room is intentionally heated to warm your muscles – allowing you to work more deeply and safely. The heat also facilitates healing, helps prevent injuries, and promotes sweating, which helps flush toxins from your body.
are the classes with evolation a real “cardio” workout? will it help me lose weight?
Yes. No matter what your level of fitness, you’ll find this yoga very challenging. Each posture combines flexibility, strength and balance to work your whole body – from your bones out to your pores. With persistence, patience and dedication, you can lose inches and develop muscle tone and strength that might never come from other forms of exercise.
about you:
what if I’m not flexible?
This is the most common misconception that prevents people from coming to a yoga class. Yoga is not about how flexible you are, but about strengthening and stretching your body and spine in all directions. All that matters is that you try, go to your personal “edge,” and you’ll get 100% of the benefit! Everybody has certain strengths and challenges. And with practice, your flexibility will increase dramatically.
what if I have injuries or illnesses?
Please let your instructor know if you’ve recently had surgery, or have any injuries, illnesses, or special conditions. You should still be able to do most yoga postures, but the teacher will show you some modifications to prevent further injury. Trust that you’re in the right place; this yoga is good for the healing process as well as prevention.
how often should I come?
Come as often as you can. The more you come, the quicker you’ll see results. We’ve got a feeling you’ll find yourself wanting to practice fairly frequently. Why? Because it’s fun, you’ll feel amazing, and it works! Even if it’s hard for you initially, the time and effort you put into your yoga practice will be returned to you tenfold.
about yoga and pregnancy:
can I still practice when I’m pregnant?
Absolutely! Practicing yoga and meditation will facilitate an easier pregnancy and birthing experience. The general rule in your practice, pregnant or not, is to understand what your limits are and never push yourself beyond them. All evolation instructors are trained to guide women through modifications and specific poses that will make practicing while pregnant joyful and safe. Also, evolation offers a Warm 60 class, if you’d prefer to practice with less heat.
will doing yoga while pregnant be difficult?
Usually, the first three months of a pregnancy are the hardest, as that’s the time when most hormonal changes occur. This is when many women feel nauseated and have much less energy. So, for some, it feels better to take it easier, practice a little bit less, or skip the first trimester entirely. And when you do practice, you shouldn’t feel bad about sitting down a bit more than usual.
still curious?
Contact us with your questions, and we’ll get back to you with answers as soon as we can.
Class Descriptions
Hot 90
temp: 105° time: 90 min
Get ready to stretch, strengthen, and sweat! Practiced in a hot room, this yoga class is designed for the experienced student, or the beginner who’s looking for a greater challenge. Physically intense postures are taught in tandem with meditation, which translates to a complete workout for your body – and your mind. Click here to register.
Warm 60
temp: 90° time: 60 min
Warm up to the transformative properties of yoga and meditation with this class that hits all the evolation highlights in just 60 minutes. Good for beginners, the pace is designed to bring awareness to correct form and breathing techniques – nurturing your practice into something that will continually nurture you. Click here to register.
Flow 75
temp: 95° time: 75 min
A hot flowing fusion class focused on core and upper body strengthening. Combines breathe with continuous movement.
Creative original sequencing of postures adds variety and challenge. Appropriate for all levels. Click here to register.
Meditation 30
temp: 75° time: 30 min
While this seated meditation class is designed to chill you out, it still takes place in a temperate room. You’ll learn to achieve internal focus, calm, and quiet amidst the modern frenzy of the external world. So you can eventually go beyond relaxation, and forge a deeper connection with your true Self. Click here to register.
Free Community Class – Warm 60
temp: 90° time: 60 min
Evolation Hot Yoga Every Saturday @ 12pm. First come, first served until we fill up. No experience necessary. Warm up to the transformative properties of yoga and meditation with this class that hits all the evolation highlights in just 60 minutes. Good for beginners, the pace is designed to bring awareness to correct form and breathing techniques – nurturing your practice into something that will continually nurture you. Click here to register.
Deejay Hot 90
temp: 105° time: 90 min
This hot 90 is set to music by one of our deejay yoga teachers. It features limited verbal instruction to set you up right for a perfect Friday night. Style and genre varies. Get ready to stretch, strengthen, and sweat! Practiced in a hot room, this yoga class is designed for the experienced student, or the beginner who’s looking for a greater challenge. Physically intense postures are taught in tandem with meditation, which translates to a complete workout for your body – and your mind. Click here to register.
The Clinic
This class is for experienced hot yoga practitioners and teachers who want to explore deeper applications of asana through breath. In-house and guest teachers will guide you to the depths of your individual flexibility as well as train you for deeper explorations of asana. This class is led in a casual workshop style and content will vary from week to week. It may incorporate pieces of the 84 advanced sequence, the 5 tibetans, or other advanced techniques. Coming Soon