Val’s Blog
Yes, Long Time HYP student PATRICE LOUISE RUSHEN really practices here!
Grammy nominated and multi-talented artist, teacher, mom, wife and longtime HYP Yogi Patrice Rushen, shares the story and history of her 40 year career. I have been asked many times over the years, “IS THAT PATRICE RUSHEN?!” (YES IT IS!) >more
My Story – Val Sklar Robinson
Most people who have a passion about their yoga practice, have a story how practicing yoga changed their life. Bikram yoga changed my life at the age of 27, and became the catalyst that changed the trajectory of my life from pain and depression to vibrant health and pain management through yoga. Along the way, I have learned many lessons, and for me, they all come down to my personal mantra, Balancing Effort and Ease. >more
Val’s Big Secret Revealed
I am sure most of you know my story, and you also know when I tell a story, there is a back story. So I will start with some back story….I will also say that it is relevant here to refer to Original Hot Yoga (OHY) as Bikram yoga as it relates to the early days of my practice.
I opened Hot Yoga Pasadena (originally Bikram Yoga Pasadena) in Nov 1998. I moved out here from LA after quitting my successful job at a corporate shoe company travelling to NYC 4 times a year and Vegas and this was quite the change…. >more
Rethinking Preventative Health and Wellness in the Covid-19 Era
Covid 19 has changed the world. My frustration is that while this is a serious virus, the media, along with our national, state and local officials, have done little to promote and talk about the steps we can take to improve our own health and immune systems, RIGHT NOW! There certainly is talk about the increased risk of death and a more extreme case of Covid-19 if you have the BIG 3 underlying health conditions of obesity, Type 2 Diabetes and Heart Disease… >more
YOU HAVE TO FIGHT! – Chris Cuomo
Chris Cuomo made a very important video on April 7th 2020 during his recovery form Coronavirus that is 100% relevant for those fighting this virus that has affected the entire world. It also got me thinking that the way he is telling folks to FIGHT your way back to better lung health and ultimately recovery from Coronavirus is the same way I have been telling people to fight for their physical, mental and emotional health for over 20 years. It is not the easy way, but if you want to fight for your health “Do It.” >more
My 20 year history with Bikram
and ultimately severing ties, changing my studio name and creating the Original Hot Yoga Association to move our community forward.
In the summer of 1996 at the age of 28, I had a great life with a successful career in the shoe business. My only problem was that my right hip was experiencing terrible arthritis pain. I broke my hip when I was 13 and now found myself needing a visit to an orthopedic doctor at Cedars Sinai… >more
Who Knew Colonoscopy Could Reveal So Much
Having reached the milestone of a half century last year, it was time to finally get my ever dreaded, preventative Colonoscopy. My mother had polyps in her 50s, and since hereditary plays a part, I was eager to confirm that my colon was Polyp-free! Though I was confident my lifestyle choices of proper diet, and years of hot yoga and Pilates supported a clean colon, I definitely believe in getting this preventative procedure that makes colon-recto cancer almost 100% preventable. What I didn’t expect, were some of the other interactions that also reinforced all the years of leading a healthy, ‘Hot Yoga Lifestyle’, have really paid off. You may also be wondering what is going on in these photos, and don’t worry, I will come back to that… >more
Why I Chose Yoga Over Pain Pills
It’s a great time to make resolutions or, what I prefer to call them – Intentions. Intentions seem to have more staying power. Whatever you choose, I hope that this is the year that you, and those in your life, will choose to practice Original 26 and 2 Hot Yoga, to relieve pain and stress, and to set yourself on a path of full body health and healing. I wish more people realized that it is within their power to achieve better health without fancy diets or gimmicks, by stepping into that hot room, doing the best they can, and trying the right way. >more
