They say you never forget your first time and man are they right. The heat, the sweat, the heavy breathing… the glow you feel afterwards… It’s totally…blissful (insert sigh here….)
I am talking about HOT YOGA!!! What did you THINK I WAS talking ABOUT!???? Now that we have that cleared up, let’s talk about what you will need if you are thinking of trying it for yourself.
What you should bring: Hot yoga is…. hot. So, you may need a few things that you wouldn’t normally need for say, a Hatha class. In addition to bringing your own mat, you will want to bring a towel. If you are going to a class spontaneously, just grab a clean towel from your home. If you have time in advance though, I highly recommend grabbing a slipless yoga towel. These towels have grips on them, so when things start to go all inferno up in there, your towel will be secure on your mat and won’t be taking you on a magic carpet ride. Additionally, grab a little hand towel for your hands and face. Some of the moves may make your hands a little more slippery and you may want to wipe them off before going into those poses. Last but not least, you will want to bring ANOTHER dry towel to sit on for the car ride home.
What to wear: Moisture-wicking clothing is great for these types of classes. I normally prefer to wear shorts, a sports bra and a tank but I see many folks in all different attire. It runs the gambit from really small shorts and sports bras to leggings and tanks. Just be sure to go in something you will feel comfortable sweating in (P.S.A. Light gray pants will make you look like you peed yourself) and layering may be key here. I myself am not comfortable doing yoga in just a sports bra, but I have worn tanks that are loose and flowy and when things get really hot during the laying down postures, I will lift my tank up to get some airflow to my mid section.
What to expect when you get there: Upon entering the studio for the first time, you may be taken aback by the heat. My best advice is to breathe deep breaths and try to calm your mind. When you lay out your mat and place your towel on top, just take a moment to pat yourself on the back for trying something new. Getting there is sometimes the hardest part! Some people sit on their mats cross legged and wait for class, some people lie down and breathe to acclimate to the heat… there really is no right or wrong way to hang out while you are waiting for the instructor to come in.
What to expect during class: Once class starts, you will notice that each instructor has their own style and personality that they bring to class. Some use music, some use gently rhythmic sounds, some just teach without any background sounds. If you are taking a Bikram class, there is a breathing exercise in the beginning and then you perform the same series of postures in a sequence performed twice. You will love some of the moves and you may hate some of the moves. Please remember that everyone starts somewhere and there may be a lot of seasoned yogis there. Be gentle with yourself. Don’t compare your chapter 1 to someone’s chapter 15.
YOU WILL SWEAT. Like, A LOT. I have never done other workouts where I literally felt like I had taken a shower at the end.
“So even if the hot loneliness is there, and for 1.6 seconds we sit with that restlessness when yesterday we couldn’t sit for even one, that’s the journey of the warrior.” Pema Chödrön
At any time, if you are starting to feel light-headed or dizzy, you can totally lie down, sit down, or go into child’s pose. Take nice slow deep breaths and try to quiet the mind. If at any point you feel like you are going to pass out, don’t be afraid to leave the room. Remember that it is normal to feel challenged but it is not normal to feel like you are going to die…. Take light sips of water throughout class if you need to but just know that some instructors will give you specific break times for water. If you need it, drink it.
What happens when class is over: The instructor will usually tell you to take your time in Savasana (corpse pose) for a few extra minutes before heading out to leave the studio. I like to take this time to think about a few things that I am grateful for and honor myself for taking good care of my body while I am laying there in all my sweaty glory. Once I get up, I either change in the bathroom into dry clothes, or if I am in a rush to go home, I put on my shoes outside the studio and head out. If it’s cold outside, you might steam. 🙂 Be sure to drink lots of water after class and re-hydrate!
Have you taken a hot yoga class? What is a tip that you have that I haven’t mentioned? Comment below!
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