Blissful Spirits Hot Yoga is marking its new Rio Rancho location with free yoga classes at its grand opening party in December

Yogis, yoginis and the yoga-curious can sample some of the studios five different styles of classes beginning at 3:30 p.m. during the Dec. 8 grand-opening party.

Classes include hot yoga and hot Pilates. For beginners or those wanting a more gentle practice, studio owner Melanie St. Georges recommends the Warm and Gentle class. Those wanting a more rigorous practice can check out the flowing vinyasa class or the Sculpt class, which incorporates two- and five-pound weights with traditional yoga poses.

All classes are taught in studios heated to 105 degrees, with a humidifier pumping in steamy air. St. Georges said practicing in a heated room has many health benefits.

It rinses out toxins in the body; it makes you more flexible and its very healing, said St. Georges, who has been teaching yoga for three years.

St. Georges teaches the Barkan method of hot yoga, which she learned from Jimmy Barkan, a former student of Bikram Choudhury. The Barkan method is similar to Bikram yoga, but rather than practicing only the same 26 poses in the same order every class, the Barkan method incorporates those poses with other postures and is more free-flowing, St. Georges said.

All classes at Blissful have some element of flow, St Georges said, meaning students move fairly quickly as one pose transitions to the next.

Although the flowing style of yoga tones the body like a gym workout, Rio Rancho Blissful Spirits Manager Denise Gonzales said yoga is different from a typical fitness regimen because it works the mind as well.

Yoga keeps you present, helps you stay with your breath and helps eliminate busy thought forms, Gonzales said.

For those who cant make the grand opening or just want to take classes from more of the studios dozen or so teachers, theres an unlimited yoga option for $35 for the first month. After that, prices are between $80 and $100. The drop-in rate for the first yoga class is $5. There are also various package deals and discounts are offered to students, teachers, firefighters, police and others working in public service, St. Georges said.

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Hot yoga coming to town