Discipline in 26+2: How Our Understanding Has Evolved

7/21/2026

This month's reflection is written by fellow 26+2 hot yoga teacher Susan Knox. As I read her thoughts on discipline, I realised how much my own understanding of the word has evolved over the years. I hope it gives you something to reflect on too.

When you hear the word discipline, thoughts like strict rules, consequences or being told what to do often come to mind. If you've practised 26+2 for a while, you'll probably remember when discipline looked very different.

It was measured by whether you stayed standing.
Whether you drank water.
Whether you wiped your face.
Whether you left the room.

Those "old school" Bikram rules weren't there by accident. They taught resilience, focus and the ability to become comfortable with discomfort.

And, if I'm honest, that discipline was one of the things that first drew me to the practice.
In a world where it was too easy to talk yourself out of things, the structure gave me something to lean into. It asked more of me than I would have asked of myself.

But over the years, I've realised something.

Today, discipline isn't something that's imposed on us by the teacher. It's something we gradually develop for ourselves. Instead of simply following the rules, we begin asking better questions.

Do I need to drink water, or am I simply uncomfortable?
Do I need to rest, or is this a moment to stay present and breathe?
Can I trust the practice, even when progress feels slow?
That's a very different kind of discipline.
And perhaps, a much deeper one.

Susan's reflection beautifully explores this evolution while reminding us that discipline remains at the very heart of the 26+2 practice.

As you read, I'd encourage you to think about what discipline means to you today. Has your understanding of it changed over time?

Discipline in 26+2 Hot Yoga –
How Ideas Are Shifting
By Susan Knox

Discipline has always been at the heart of Original Hot Yoga (26+2), but its meaning has evolved over time.

Long-time students will remember the "old school" Bikram days, when discipline was often expressed through strict rules like "no water until party time," "no lying down during the standing series," "no wiping sweat," and absolutely "no leaving the room."

These boundaries served a purpose. Students learned self-discipline and developed the ability to become comfortable with discomfort—skills that can be just as valuable outside the studio. But over time, discipline was sometimes misunderstood and took on a rigid, negative tone.

Discipline remains an essential part of the practice, but its expression has evolved. Today, it still embraces structure while encouraging students to take ownership of their own journey.

If discipline isn't about rules anymore, what does it look like?

Today, discipline is less about following instructions for the sake of it and more about making conscious choices that help us stay engaged with the practice.

Move together and share the collective energy of the room.
Lock the knee and engage the thigh muscles to support circulation.
Find a steady gaze to help the body balance.
Prioritise alignment over depth for safety and effectiveness.
Reduce yourself to nothing but breathing during each savasana.
Let go of judgement—it's yoga practice, not yoga perfect.

Why structure still matters for every body

One of the reasons our understanding of discipline has evolved is that we've also learnt more about how different people experience structure.
There's a common stereotype that 26+2 only suits highly structured and systematic people. In reality, creative thinkers and neurodivergent people often thrive in this practice.

The consistency of the sequence offers something many people find surprisingly calming. Rather than having to think about what's coming next, the mind can settle into the rhythm of the practice, creating space for focused attention instead of overstimulation.

How teachers guide your practice

Our role as teachers is no longer to create discipline for our students, but to create the conditions where they can develop it for themselves.

The dialogue provides clear instructions that promote safety, awareness and engagement, helping you discover your "bliss body"—no drama, no fuss.

Sometimes our voices are soft and encouraging. Sometimes they're a little more directive. Both have the same purpose: to help you stay present, keep moving and discover that you're capable of more than you might have believed when you first walked through the door.
Next time you step into the hot room, get curious about what discipline means for you.

My Closing Thoughts

Reading Susan's reflection made me realise just how much my own relationship with discipline has evolved.

When I first started practising, I needed discipline to come from outside of me. The structure of the practice gave me something to lean on. It helped me build habits I didn't yet have and challenged me in ways I probably wouldn't have chosen for myself.

Over time, though, something shifted.

Today, discipline isn't about proving anything. It's about trusting the practice enough to know that not every class will feel the same. It's about showing up, especially on the days you don't feel like it.

It's about honestly asking yourself what your practice needs today.
Sometimes that's staying in the posture.
Sometimes it's taking a rest.
Sometimes it's having a drink of water.
The discipline comes from responding with awareness rather than habit.

I've watched hundreds of students walk through our doors convinced they weren't flexible enough, fit enough or young enough to practise hot yoga. Many rested often. Many questioned whether they were cut out for it. But they kept coming back.

And little by little, things began to change. Not just in their bodies, but in the way they carried themselves through everyday life.

Perhaps that's the greatest evolution of discipline. It no longer comes from someone standing at the front of the room. It comes from within. Not punishment. Not perfection.