“Move It Or Lose It”: A Rockland Fitness Guide

It’s Getting Hot in Here Yoga

Welcome back to my fitness journey, where I, Community Editor Gillian DeStefano,  explore new and unconventional means of exercise as per my 2026 New Year’s Resolution of getting over my “gym-timidation”.

Whether you’re like me, looking for a different environment to be active, or you’re missing your ability to move more freely, my hope is to bring awareness to the variety of experiences Rockland offers and inspire resolutions to reality.

Enter Playful Yogi: “Hot Flow” Yoga in Nyack. This class takes place every Thursday at 6:15 p.m., and the first thing you’ll notice is how beautiful the space is. White lanterns hang from the ceiling alongside seasonal decor for Valentine’s day, complimenting the deep purple walls. The lobby alone had spaces to sit, beverages available for purchase, and cubbies for your belongings. Owner Naomi Camiller greeted us and provided complimentary towels and mats. The studio also provides a personal shower, changing rooms, and private bathrooms.

The class itself was about an hour long, and was led by instructor Krystina Drasher. There were six total people in the class, half of the group being myself, my mom, and Managing Editor Sierra Lidén. The moment we entered the studio, we faced a wave of heat and humidity. Panels lined the ceiling, and instructor Drasher informed us that if we would rather not sit directly beneath the panels, the heat would be less intense.

This heat for me felt like a giant hug, especially in the bitter cold weather we have been experiencing. Everyone has different temperature tolerance, so it’s good to know what works for your body. Drasher later let us know that the room reached up to 100 degrees.

The class, titled “Hot Flow,” was a Vinyasa session, which is a dynamic yoga style that links movement with breath, often called “flow” for its continuous, seamless transitions between poses.  According to their website, the warmth boosts flexibility, promotes detoxification, and fosters a meditative space to deepen anyone’s yoga practice.

The class itself was incredibly grounding. The intimate class size, coupled with the heat and the mindful instruction had me feeling most zen. I would say that the class was on the more difficult side, so if you have no yoga experience this might not be for you. Playful Yogi offers lots of beginner level classes, so no need to have FOMO. I used to be a semi-active yogi, but have not regularly attended classes in years and felt comfortable.

Drasher led the class with intentional inclusion. She repeated to do “what feels right for your body” and even gently guided us with kind corrections.

As the class came to an end,  my body was pleasantly buzzing, my mind clear, and my heart full. I felt like I could fall asleep right then and there. Drasher concluded the session with a beautiful poem about self love. The themes of the night were aligned with most yoga practices: grounding, mindfulness, and breathing. If you are someone who experiences anxiety, overthinking, or excessive worrying, I could not recommend yoga enough.

I think that I will have to add Hot Yoga to my favorites list. I would encourage people to enter with an open mind and to take the hour to connect with their bodies in an intentional way. I have not felt so at peace and content in quite a long time, so thank you Playful Yogis and instructor Drasher for the experience.

  hot yoga, krystina drasher, move it or lose it, playful ypgi