hotyogaauburn

Sam's Yoga Story

Thu, 19 Mar 2026 07:44:41 GMT

Anyone can do yoga.

If I can do yoga, absolutely anyone can do it. I have always been extremely stiff and inflexible and practicing yoga never crossed my mind until I a shoulder injury about 20 years ago. My doctor suggested yoga and I reluctantly attended my first class. My first class was uncomfortable and frustrating because I could not get into the postures. However, I felt amazing after my first class and kept going back.. My shoulder healed quickly after I started practicing. With the encouragement of my first teacher and mentor, I continued to show up on my mat day after day. I learned so much about myself and my body. I realized that it's not about the depth of the posture. but rather the correct alignment and the proper breathing. The medical benefits of yoga, which have been researched and confirmed,, are numerous. The heat plus the stretching and compressing of your ligaments, bones, joints and organs are healing from the inside out.

Today, I am still stiff and inflexible but I continue to practice on a regular basis. I always feel amazing after each class. My strength, flexibility and balance have improved exponentially since practicing. Yoga has also taught me to have patience with myself and others. It has made me less reactive to my environment which has improved my relationships with my family and friends.

I am pleased to offer our students classes 7 days a week with varying times. I invite you to try a class and see how the heat and the postures will change your life in ways that you never even expected

See you at the Studio

Sam :)

Sam Goldman says “anyone can do yoga”

Yin Yoga... Bringing Balance Back into Your Life

Thu, 19 Mar 2026 07:01:30 GMT

The first thing that I do every morning is check my phone for texts, email, then facebook etc. I know this not the ideal way to start the day but I also know that this ritual is very common. In the world we live in today, with all of this amazing technology, we are bombarded 24/7 with information. Some of it is helpful and some of it, not so much… Regardless, our brains are constantly processing information. Often the information that we are receiving triggers thoughts, feelings and emotions in our body based upon long standing beliefs. Some of those beliefs do not serve us anymore and may cause anxiety and stress. This is where the practice of Yin can be so healing for the mind and body. It is a 60-minute silent mediation and slow stretching with a chance to just be in the moment. The postures done in Yin are mostly on the floor and are held for 3 to 5 minutes. Each of the postures are intended to stretch the deep connective tissues of the body, the fascia and ligaments. Bringing back range of motion and flexibility to the legs, hips and lower back. The postures also target the meridians in the body allowing for opening of the energy channels that tend to get blocked in day to day life. Your mind and brain waves will slow down and will put you in a zen like state. It is in this state where you can begin to bring awareness to your thought patterns and habits that no longer serve you. This is the pathway to making shifts in your perspective and the way you respond to your environment and deal with your relationships.

Some of the benefits of Yin yoga are:

Calming and balancing to the mind and body
Regulating energy in the body
Increasing range of motion
Lowering of stress levels
More flexibility in joints & connective tissue
Help with TMJ and migraines
Deeper Relaxation
Better ability to sit for meditation
Yin yoga teaches you how to really listen to your mind and your body and to accept what is in the given moment.

So take that hour out for yourself and practice Yin to explore your body and your mind. The one hour is a huge investment in your physical, mental and emotional health.

See you on your mat

20 years Serving the greater Worcester area since 2001

Thu, 19 Mar 2026 07:00:20 GMT

I am grateful to be the owner of Hot Yoga Auburn for 15+ of our 20 year history.

When the Abrams family opened in Sept 2001. Their intention was to have a family yoga center offering various types of classes and two yoga rooms. Over time, it became a Bikram Yoga studio. in 2016 we rebranded and starting adding new classes and programs. I am very grateful for everything I have learned on this journey so far and look forward to the next 20 years any beyond. Peace and Love. Sam Goldman

We are on a mission

Thu, 19 Mar 2026 06:59:32 GMT

We’re on a mission to help people find abundant energy with vibrant, encouraging classes.

We envision a community of people living with vibrance, energy, vitality, and confidence.

We offer classes that create vibrance, vitality, and abundance in energy.

Our classes will help you discover your unlimited capabilities and tap into abundant energy.

We’re especially motivated to help NEW students by encouraging them, because we know how hard it can be to start something new and keep showing up. We’re here for you.

What to expect in your first class.

Thu, 19 Mar 2026 06:58:47 GMT

It’s hot. Anyone can do this. Pre-hydration is key. Having electrolyes in your system really helps. Bring a cold bottle that you can apply to your wrist or the left side of your neck for instant relief. We have showers available. Please bring a towel, a yoga mat and a beverage. (we have loaner mats and beverages and towels for sale). We open 15 min before class. Save time by registering online. We have two intro offers available, a month for $49 or 8 classes for $88 (good for 90 days). All classes are beginner friendly. Please let me know if you have any queisons. Sam :)

Benefits of Hot Yoga

Thu, 19 Mar 2026 06:57:45 GMT

The benefits of Hot yoga have been widely studied.

There has been more research on the benefits of 90 min hot yoga than any other. A Google search will show you that people with all kinds of injuries and medical conditions get relief and healing from yoga practice.

I attended a lecture at Harvard Medical School where several doctors spoke about their reachearch and how they recommend it to their patients. I will find and post links below. Please feel free to reach out with any questions.

Sam :)

Study at Harvard University about hot yoga and depression. https://www.health.harvard.edu/mind-and-mood/harvard-study-hot-yoga-may-help-ease-depression

6 week study by Nih on Hot Yoga and Well being. https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC10268545/

Nih article on Hot yoga during pregnancy. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/37731258/

Colorado State University study on hot yoga fitness benefits. https://source.colostate.edu/researcher-hot-yoga-yields-fitness-benefits/

Easy pose. Also known as criss cross apple sauce. Spine straight. A great position for meditation. I prefer moving meditations like Hot Yoga. Sam :)

Top 5 poses for stress relief.

Thu, 19 Mar 2026 06:38:12 GMT

5 Great poses for stress relief and a bonus pose for comic relief.

Let’s start with the hardest one. Savasana. Lay on your back, feet slightly apart, hands by the sides, palms facing upwards. Be still and notice your breath without changing it.

From time to time we will have kids classes

Half tortoise. Please be mindful not to create any pain. Kneel down, extend the arms forward and down, bring the palms together if possible. Rest in this positon, or stretch the spine in opposite directions.

Half Tortoise

Peacock. This is not an easy pose. I am trying to be funny and show off at the same time. Sam :)

Easy pose. Also known as criss cross apple sauce. Spine straight. A great position for meditation. I prefer moving meditations like Hot Yoga. Sam :)

Awkward pose is the easiest pose in the standing series of Hot Yoga poses and the #1 recommended pose by health experts of all kinds as it helps the muscles around the knee and hip joints.

Standing back bend. Simple and easy. Put the hands on the lowe back at the top of the hips. Lift your chin and your chest and look up. This is from the TV show I did for Worcester Public Televison on yoga for seniors.

Yoga and Pilates for Back Pain

Thu, 19 Mar 2026 06:33:28 GMT

One of my favorite teachers is Sara Curry from Blaze in Portsmouth, NH. She is a teacher of teachers. People like me love to learn from her and share the wisdom and knowledge we get. She had a recent post about a research study on people like me with back pain. Apparently, if we write about our pain for 10 mintues a day it has a noticable benefit.

I was raised to be silent and internalize pain. To grin and bear it. Keep a stiff upper lip. Don’t show them that your are hurt. Put on a happy face. Convince yourself that it’s ok and getting better.

33 years ago, on a Friday, I had my first official day training at my new job. I moved into my first apartment Saturday, graduated college Sunday.

On the next day, my first day moving medical equipment, I hurt my back. The doctor said stay in bed and lay flat for 2 weeks. After then it was worse… he said another 6 weeks in bed… It was terrible.

I can write about this for a few minutes and I feel my back tightening up as I re-live this mentally…. Time now for me to take a break, do some yoga, and move on to something else.

I know that writing about this will help. More later.

Sam :)

Practicing yoga while injured

Thu, 19 Mar 2026 06:32:06 GMT

I came to yoga in the first place because of a shoulder problem. I have spinal issues since birth. I recently aggravated an old leg injury where I cannot bear much weight, I cannot bend the leg much or fully extend it. I sometimes need a cane or have difficuly walking. I went to see my doctor about this and weeks later received a handicap plackard for my car. Some days when I go to yoga, there is not much I can do. So I lay down and rest, or sit in a chair if it is tolearable. On occasion, I can use the ballet bar or the wall to lean against. I let go of the need to do “something” if my body cannot do the pose, I rest. This last Thursday, my approach was “how little can i do?” and this is when I get the best results. Yoga helps a person heal when they let go of the expectations and the judgement and the memory of what their body was able to do. Be present and not force the body. Notice what it can do without creating pain. I am here to help. Sam :)