Moksha or Modo Hot Yoga From Canada

Modo Yoga Class
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Moksha Hot Yoga was founded in Toronto, Canada in 2004 by yoga teachers Ted Grand and Jessica Robertson. Moksha quickly gained popularity in Canada, where there are more than 50 affiliated studios.

In September 2013, Moksha began using the name Modo Yoga in the United States to avoid confusion with several prominent existing studios that were also using the name Moksha (not surprisingly, since this Sanskrit word means liberation, freedom, or enlightenment). There are now more than 10 Modo Yoga locations in the U.S., including studios in New York City, Los Angeles, Austin, and Portland, Oregon. 

What to Expect at the Studio

Each studio is independently owned by a certified Moksha yoga teacher and approved by founders Ted Grant and Jessica Robertson. All associated studios follow strict "green" standards for keeping their spaces environmentally friendly, including using sustainable building materials and natural cleansers.

If you visit a Modo studio, you can see evidence of ecological efforts in little details like offering refillable studio water bottle that students can use during class and use a dry erase waiver form to save paper. They are also committed to offering weekly low-cost classes and karma yoga opportunities to keep yoga more affordable. The classrooms are mirrored.​

The Method

The Modo method is a set series of about 45 poses done in a room heated to 103 degrees F. The full series, which begins and ends with savasana, takes 90 minutes. A condensed version of the series clock in at 60 or 75 minutes.

There are also flow classes in which the teacher has more discretion on the order of the poses within the following basic structure. Students are often invited to set an intention for their practice before moving into a series of standing poses. Once warm from standing poses, the class moves onto a floor sequence that includes hip openers and spinal/upper body work.

Yin yoga classes are also available ay many Modo studios. Some studios may also offer a few non-Modo classes a week. 

The Philosophy

Moksha Yoga is designed to be both accessible and challenging, depending on each person's needs. Locally owned studios foster community building.

Seven "pillars" form the foundation of Modo Yoga's philosophy. The seven pillars are: be healthy, be accessible, live green, community support, reach out, live to learn, and be peace. These tenets aim to help students reduce stress, be open to all of life's experiences, be a positive force for change in their communities, and support conservation and environmentalism. 

Is Modo Yoga for You?

A love of hot yoga is a must since 103 degrees is pretty toasty. Modo studios are friendly, positive places to work in your practice in a non-competitive setting. One of the seven pillars, accessibility, sets out Modo's intention to be open to people of all races, genders, economic classes, ages, and body types. Modo classes reflect this diversity.

By Ann Pizer, RYT
Ann Pizer is a writer and registered yoga instructor who teaches vinyasa/flow and prenatal yoga classes.