Local Couple Gets Hot for Yoga

On their first date, Eddie Hall took Kelly Weckesser to a hot yoga class. We'll avoid the obvious pun to describe what happened next. Suffice it to say, they found they had a lot in common.

But it’s not just love they found through yoga.

The two are also making names for themselves on the local and national hot yoga competitive circuits.

Bikram yoga, or hot yoga, was popularized in the 1970s. Hot yoga classes typically last 90 minutes and consist of a series of body postures and breathing exercises practiced in a room where temperatures can soar to over 105 degrees. 

The 33-year-old Hall, who is from Carroll County, has been practicing hot yoga for only three years, but he is about to compete on the national stage.

Last year, he placed second in a regional competition in Richmond, VA. He recently placed second in this year’s regional competition, held at Goucher College; his strong finish has lead him to this year’s national competition scheduled to take place in March in New York City.

“My goal is to get into the top 10 in the nation,” Hall said.

So what is a hot yoga competition all about?

Hall describes it as intense.

“If you watch it, it’s very similar to gymnastics,” he said. For the competition, competitors must perform a handful of different yoga poses on stage in the spotlight in front of a panel of judges.

Hall said yoga is developing as a serious sport. He said competitions are meant to spread awareness about yoga so that it might be an Olympic sport one day. 

“More men are doing yoga now,” Hall explained. “It’s a lot more intense than what you see on TV…It’s very hot; you have to be mentally focused and physically driven to put yourself through that.”

Hall, who is a personal trainer and the director of fitness for Baltimore Fitness and Tennis, describes hot yoga as a combination of stretching and strength exercises. He said he got into yoga through a friend’s nudging.

“I went and was hooked right away; it was very challenging,” Hall said. “It was different than anything I’ve ever done before.”

Through yoga, Hall says he’s improved his flexibility and has lost 20 pounds in the process.

“It will really get you in great shape,” Hall said.

“The world would be a better place if everyone did yoga,” he continued. “It helps calm your mind and your spirit.”

It’s also a great way to start a relationship, Hall says.

Weckesser, who recently started competing in hot yoga competitions, agreed. The two will travel together to the national competition in March, where Weckesser, who is from Westminster, will cheer Hall on.

The two have bonded over yoga and practice the sport together at least three days a week.

“It’s something that we both really feel passion about,” Weckesser said.