What Is The Studio? An Interview With Veronica Valencia

So, you want to break a sweat and get a little self-care at the same time? The Studio is the perfect place for you! The Studio is a specially-built room within our four walls that heats up to around 95 degrees and allows for deep stretching and a fantastic workout. We asked our instructor, Veronica Valencia, to tell us a little more so that you can get the information you need to walk into The Studio with excitement and confidence.

1 | We are so excited to get to know you, Veronica! Could you let everyone know what you do at Chuze Fitness, how long you have worked here, and how you ended up on the team?

I teach yoga at Winrock in Albuquerque, NM, and I was lucky enough to be part of the opening team when Chuze Fitness landed in New Mexico in February of 2019. 

I loved taking classes with Phil Arrellin, the District Group Exercise Manager, and was excited to see him join the Chuze team. I applied and auditioned and started teaching a couple of classes when we first opened and then added more classes as demand grew. 

2 | What classes do you teach in The Studio?

Studio Power Yoga on Monday evenings at 6:45 pm
Studio Flow Yoga at 5:30 am – yes, am! (Great way to start your day)
Studio Flow Yoga at 9:15 am on Saturday

3 | What’s the difference between regular group exercise, and classes within The Studio?

The main difference is that The Studio is heated with infrared heat, which makes the room warm (about 95 degrees)—it just feels so good and therapeutic. I always tell students who might be intimidated by the warm room that it “feels like Florida!” 

The group exercise room is not heated. It can hold about 35 students, but doing yoga in either the group exercise room or The Studio is still going to give you the beautiful benefit of that mind and body connection! 

4 | Are there any added benefits to taking a class in a hot room? 

One benefit of practicing yoga in a heated room is detoxification. Because of the heat, you sweat more. The heat also makes the muscles more pliable, so you can experience a deeper stretch within each pose. The warmth also makes your heart pump, which can burn more calories, but I feel that you focus on breathing more, which is the key to relaxation and stress relief.

5 | For someone who has never done yoga before, can they take a class in The Studio? 

Absolutely! The Studio is a great place for beginners. The warmth of the room relaxes your joints and muscles, allowing a beginner to enjoy a deep, delicious stretch. The poses are gentle yet stimulating enough to challenge advanced students. We bend and stretch and twist and breathe, all to improve the overall function of our bodies. 

6 | What are your top five tips for preparing to take a yoga class in The Studio? 

1. Hydrate. Hydrate. Hydrate! Drink plenty of water before coming to class. 
2. Fuel your body, but try not to eat 2-4 hours before class.
3. You’re going to glisten, so make sure you have a towel or two and breathable, sweat-wicking clothing. 
4. Try not to wear too much lotion or oils because you will sweat and be slick as a wet baby! 
5. If possible, come a little bit early to class so that you can get settled in, start to relax, and give your body time to acclimate to the temperature of the Studio. 

7 | Do we need to bring all of our own equipment to class? What should we bring? 

You will need a mat that doesn’t slip, a couple of towels, and water. We provide blocks and straps. 

8 | How can our members make The Studio a part of their self-care routine?

The Studio, in my opinion, is the most special place inside the gym. It’s beautifully lit and quiet and feels like a little sanctuary. Its ambiance just invites self-care. Once you step into The Studio, you start to quiet your mind, and the outside noise of the world dissipates, and you know that you are just going to spend the next 60 minutes doing something good for yourself. 

9 | What is your favorite fitness or self-care tip that you would like to share with the Chuze Family? 

I love to wake up early so that I can have a little space in my day just to be still and quiet before I head out to the hustle and bustle of my day as Marketing Manager/Event Planner. It is a must that I take my dog Ruby Red for a mindful walk, which means that I am just tuned into the sights and sounds of nature.

10 | Thank you so much for sharing this information! Can you tell us the one takeaway you want us to remember from this interview?

For anyone out there intrigued by yoga and what goes on behind the doors of The Studio, just come in! Don’t be intimidated, in yoga, we are all beginners, even if we have been practicing for years. Just come in, roll out your mat, and you’ll be treated to a beautiful self-care experience and gain flexibility and strength in the process!