Hot Yoga is an unique experience. Most intense exercise leaves you feeling beatdown and tired but Hot Yoga actually leaves you feeling better afterwards then you did before. You should leave feeling refreshed, relaxed, and a little bit like superwoman! There are some things you should know before attending a HotYoga class. Here’s a layout of what you can do so you walk in your first day feeling prepared and ready for your new adventure!
The day before:
Make sure you are hydrated and well rested. The recommended amountof water you should drink while taking Hot Yoga classes is one gallon each day,not following this recommendation can lead to serious health problems. This seemslike a daunting task at first, but I promise we can do it! The key is consistentwater drinking throughout your day. Start first thing in the morning with a bottlebeside your bed! Exhaustion and Hot Yoga don’t mix! Get your sleep before you practice!
Wear comfortable clothes that won’t weigh you down when sweaty. A good rule is to dress like you are going to the beach. If you are comfortable in a 2 piece then a sports bra and shorts are appropriate. If you are not comfortable it a 2 piece I would recommend that you layer a “wifebeater” type shirt over your sports bra so if you would like to take it off you can.
Get to class 20 minutes early if you still need to fill outyour paperwork, 10 minutes early if you have done it ahead of time. Take this time to find a mat where you are comfortable and start stretching.
During your 1stclass
It may take several classes before your body adjusts to theheat. The first session you may just want to sit and watch. Familiarize yourself with the poses and terminology used at Yoga. If you manage to sit through the first class then you have reached your goal for that day. Our gut instinctis to RUN from the hot room, so overcoming this reaction is a huge accomplishment.
If during class you feel dizzy, light headed, or nauseated: take a seat or lay down or your mat and sip some water. Try your best not to leave the room, but if you have to please return as soon as possible
After class
Electrolytes are lost when we sweat, so now is the vital time to replenish them. If you like green tea, it is a great source of electrolytes. If you don’t like green tea- Gatorade. AND MORE WATER! Go home, and take a shower. It’s very important to use an exfoliator scrub and rinse with cool water.
Pat yourself on the back! You did something great for yourself today!
Make your plan to come again tomorrow. It is important to do your first 2 sessions back to back so that you start getting used to the heat. If you absolutely can’t make it the next day, then the day after. If we never adjust to the heat, we would always be miserable and that is not the idea. You will eventually ENJOY the heat, and miss it when you practice without it.
The next week
Remember… the best things in life don’t come easily and Yoga is no exception. Hot Yoga demands commitment, dedication, and sometimes sacrifices.Our practice and our health should be important to us, and taking 2-3 hours aweek for yourself is not too much. Practice makes perfect right?
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