Reviewed by: Cindy Hatcher
5 mindful ways to start your 2026 in Birmingham
Reading time: 4 minutes
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If the holidays left you feeling a little overstimulated and in need of a reset, you’re not alone. The start of a new year is the perfect time to slow down, reconnect with your body and mind and build habits that feel good.
If you’ve ever been curious about hot yoga, recovery-focused workouts, massage therapy or salt room experiences, Rise + Refine Hot Yoga off Hwy 31 in Vestavia offers all of it.
From active classes to quieter practices, here are five mindful ways to ease into 2026 and keep
Psst—discount code below!
1. Flow into the year with hot + heated yoga
Hot yoga is one of those experiences you don’t fully understand until you try it.
I took my first hot yoga class at Rise + Refine and can honestly say it was life-changing. The heat allowed for deeper stretches, while the flow helped me quiet my mind.
Beyond how it feels, hot yoga offers real benefits and is a powerful way to reset both physically and mentally to start the year strong.
2. Find your rhythm with the Hot 26&2 class
If you prefer movement that calms your breath and stills your mind, Rise + Refine’s classic Hot 26&2 practice may be your go-to.
This foundation of postures will leave you feeling more open & focused for life outside the studio as your instructor guides you through a moving meditation in a heated environment.
Keep reading for classes with fast-paced flows and signature sequences!
3. Build strength with conditioning-focused classes
Mindful movement doesn’t have to mean low intensity. Rise + Refine also offers strength and conditioning classes designed to help you feel powerful and supported.
Options like HIIT-style workouts and Pilates focus on core stability, muscle strength, posture and overall fitness. These classes are ideal if you want to balance your yoga practice with intentional strength training.
I personally tried a Pilates class at Rise + Refine and challenged myself to do things I didn’t know my body was capable of. It was both relaxing and a great workout that left me feeling strong and refreshed!
4. Prioritize recovery with massage + mindfulness services
Recovery is just as important as movement, and Rise + Refine makes it easy to build rest into your routine.
Their wellness services include a variety of Wolff Therapy Massages and recovery-focused offerings, such as:
- Deep tissue relief for tight muscles
- Sports recovery for active bodies
- Gentle relaxation massages
- Energy-based therapies for balance + stress relief
- Cupping + lymphatic drainage for circulation + detox
Each service is designed to help your body heal, reset and function at its best.
5. Experience the only Salt + Sauna room in Alabama
One of Rise + Refine’s most unique offerings is its Salt + Sauna room—the only one of its kind in Alabama.
This immersive space combines Himalayan salt therapy with infrared heat, red light therapy, chromotherapy and customizable LED lighting. With thousands of pounds of hand-laid salt and advanced halotherapy technology, the room is designed to support respiratory health, relaxation, inflammation reduction and overall well-being.
Whether your 2026 goals include moving more or simply taking better care of yourself, Rise + Refine makes it easy to do it all in one place.
- Location: 300 Old Town Rd, Vestavia Hills, AL 35216
- Hours: Salt + Sauna hours to M-W, F 9:30-5:30, Sat 9:30-12
- Website | Facebook | Instagram
BONUS for Bham Now readers! Use code BHAMNOW20 to receive 20% off your first month of unlimited classes. Membership is on auto-pay unless canceled at least two weeks prior to the billing date.
Join the Rise + Refine community and take your wellness to the next level. Book your first class today or stop by to tour the studio and see what mindful living can look like this year.
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