Hot yoga

Hot yoga is awesome! I'd love to teach it (I teach vinyasa yoga) but there's no facility around me to do it with. Make sure you bring a towel and lightweight, comfortable clothes. You will be sweating...a lot. Also, don't forget to cool your body down a little before stepping outside if you are in a wintery area. You can shock your body going from super hot to super cold.

Good luck and have lots of fun!

I did Bikram Yoga for about a year. I can't go now because I moved and the studio location (40mins away) makes it impossible to fit a 90 minute class into my schedule...its sucks. . . I loved it! It's so refreshing. Just remember it's ok to lie down. I'm a perfectionist so when I first started I pushed myself to do the whole glass even if I had a pounding headache (becasue of the heat) or felt dizzy. After a few months I learned to listen to my body and lie down when needed and in the end performed better for it. . and you will get better at it the more you go! Have fun and stay hydrated!

Aresende90 wrote: »

Just remember it's ok to lie down. I'm a perfectionist so when I first started I pushed myself to do the whole glass even if I had a pounding headache (becasue of the heat) or felt dizzy. After a few months I learned to listen to my body and lie down when needed and in the end performed better for it. . and you will get better at it the more you go! Have fun and stay hydrated!

Yes- this! Though its relaxing, it is challenging (but in a fun way! ) Do not push yourself too hard- childs pose may be your friend the first couple rounds; and make sure your form is correct- otherwise you can hurt yourself. The instructors (at least the ones that I have had throughout the years) are very good at adjusting when needed.
-I LOVE hot yoga. If it weren't so damn expensive, I would go everyday!

Not much more to add except get in the room early to adjust to the heat. And especially if you're in a cold climate, bring a full set of dry clothes to change into and a 2nd dry towel. I was covered in sweat.

And, yes, rest if needed - 90 minutes is a long class!

Hydrate for sure! And take breaks to sip on your water during class as well if you need to. I've been going 5-6 times/week for about 5 weeks now and I absolutely love it (combined with eating healthy, I've already lost 5 pounds!). My favourite part about it is that there is no competition. Everyone's body is different, and even your body is different every day - so you just do your best every single time you go, and that is good enough.

Watch for over-stretching your knees. The heat makes everything a little more pliable, which can be dangerous if you push yourself too hard too fast.

Good luck, and enjoy! Let us know how it goes.

great suggestions above. I like to wear a headband/sweatband to help keep the sweat from dripping into my eyes. I use 2 towels, one to wipe sweat and one on top of mat for cool down. drink plenty of fluids before and after, sip during it also. I hope you enjoy it! let us know how you did!

did it for about a year. too expensive for me, but miss it dearly. i always had two water bottles. one filled about 3/4 of the way and frozen solid, then filled with cold water. one frozen about a quarter of the way, then filled with cold water. i would drink the quarter ice one first, then when that was gone, i would drink the 3/4 frozen bottle, which was now melted and a becoming less and less ice, but still super cold water. our instructor would always open the door that lead outside, so i liked to be near that so i could feel the ten seconds of outdoor air.

two towels, as many have mentioned. change of clothes, or additional towel to protect seats in car. listen to your body, don't be afraid to sit a pose out if you are unsure what to do. drink a lot of water the day before and the day after. eat something before you go, i used to go in the morning, so i needed something to eat since i hadn't eaten since the night before. depending on when you go, adjust your meals accordingly.

as mentioned, listen to your body. relax and have fun.