Some Like It Hot

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Three things you need to know about yoga: 1. Down Dog makes you feel better. 2. Child’s pose is Nirvana. 3. Savasana (Corpse pose—where you lie still and focus on breathing – usually last pose of class) is harder than it looks…except for the occasional rando in class who falls asleep instantly and snores loudly. 

As February on-island can bring The Chill, maybe consider going to the mat with some heat. Three Yogis – Patricia Ploeger, Blair McHale, and Staton Laws – all teachers at Omcore, a boutique fitness studio on St. Simons Island, owned by Ploeger – share their yoga journey and why they like it hot. 

EIL: There are so many types of yoga – what type do you practice?

Patricia: Primarily, Hot Power Yoga (rooted in Ashtanga). Hot power yoga builds strength, endurance, balance, flexibility, mobility, focus, and concentration while calming the mind, reducing stress, and balancing the nervous system. 

“Heat adds an extra challenge and leaves you feeling deeply worked and restored—like a blend of a deep tissue massage and a sauna session.”

Patricia Ploeger, Owner, Omcore St. Simons Island

Blair: Baptiste Yoga – I discovered and found my niche with Baptiste Yoga in 2014. It not only met the physical intensity I desired, but also helped me create space, community, and presence in my life, both on and off the mat.  

Staton: Hatha for bringing lifeforce energy (prana in Hindu) into the body, strength and flexibility, and to improve concentration. Vinyasa to connect the body and mind through breath and movement. Yin for building strength in joints, releasing facia, and stilling the mind. 

“All types of yoga are performed to open the lungs and breath better.”

Staton Laws, Yoga Teacher, Omcore

EIL: What benefits do you gain from yoga?

Patricia: I feel much more grounded, centered, and connected when I practice. I also love the community aspect of classes, where we practice together for common goals - not just for our own good but for the good of the whole world. 

Blair: Yoga affords me the ability to be fully present in my life.  It also fosters connection, builds community, and empowers me to be my best self.  

“Life can be so busy and chaotic. Time simply slows down when I teach and when I practice.”

Blair McHale, Yoga Teacher, Omcore

Staton: Awareness, mental clarity, strength and flexibility, concentration, empathy, and connecting to something greater than myself…my interest is also sparked through George Harrison and Ravi Shankar’s music, and Gerry Lopez’ approach to life and surfing.

EIL: Yogis travel. Where have you studied, taught, or practiced? 

Patricia: In the 90s, California and Colorado; Florida in 2000; in 2014, a 500-hour Ashtanga Vinyasa training in India. I’ve studied and taught yoga throughout the U.S., Europe, Mexico, and Costa Rica since.

Blair: Baptiste Level 1 in Menla Mountain Retreat Center, Phoenicia, New York. Baptiste Level 2 in Sedona, Arizona. And Baptiste Level 3, in Pacific Grove, California.

Staton: I studied Yoga Asana 1 & 2 at Flagler College (Florida) as an elective and got certified in The Barkan Method of Hot Yoga and The Barkan Method of Hot Vinyasa in Ft. Lauderdale. Since then, I’ve lived and taught yoga in Australia, Hawaii, and several states across US.