What You Need to Know Before Trying Hot Yoga
Everybody seems to have an opinion about hot yoga. Some people absolutely love it and they think that everyone else should love it too; on the other hand, there are people who despise it and stay as far away from it as possible. Since you’re reading this article, I imagine you haven’t quite created an opinion on the matter yet.
Here are a couple things you may want to consider about hot yoga before you take the plunge!
Hot Yoga is Hot
That might sound obvious, but it really is toasty in there. A lot of people go into a hot yoga class and after about 10 minutes are surprised by how hot it really is. Heat isn’t a bad thing, but it is a really good thing to know before you walk into the room.
You are Going to Sweat
Make sure you bring a couple of towels and are wearing clothes that you can really sweat in. Don’t be surprised if you have beads of sweat rolling off of you even if you aren’t someone who usually sweats very much. It’s also a good idea to bring a change of clothes for afterwards so you don’t get cold as the sweat cools down.
You’ve probably heard about the amazing benefits of sweating in relation to detoxifying. Your skin is your largest organ and working up a sweat like that can have very purifying affects on your overall health.
You’ll Be Extra Bendy
Your muscle will be extra warm and will have a little extra give to them, which will make you more flexible than usual. This is great for getting deeper stretches and can really help you with poses that you might be struggling with in your other classes. Make sure you don’t get too carried away and give your body some time to calm back down afterwards to avoid any over-stretching.
Your Regular Yoga Outfit Will Be Too Hot
It really does matter what you wear to a hot yoga class because the heat will get to you fast. It is not uncommon to feel dizzy or slightly nauseous during a hot yoga class based entirely on the temperature in the room. It’s so important to dress in a way that will not make you warmer than you need to be and also that will not distract you. Clothes that you need to pull or tug on will be very frustrating. Take the time to find an outfit or two that are well fitted, thin and (if you’re comfortable with it) on the smaller side. Something like these yoga capri leggings
Keep an Open Mind
It might be very tempting to dismiss your hot yoga experience as stressful or exhausting but if you keep an open mind you might actually really enjoy it. You might feel drained by the elevated temperature or you might really thrive in it! You will not know until you try it and give it your best shot.
Hopefully these six little pointers here will help you prep for your first hot yoga experience!