This past fall I really felt an urge to start practicing at a studio again. I researched all of the local studios and found a great one only a 10 minute walk from my house. The only problem was that it was hot yoga and I had never tried hot yoga before. I wasn't sure I would like the heat and being extra sweaty. But I gave it a try and am in love! I've been going regularly for 6 months now. I average 3 times per week because we travel a lot and I had a period of sickness where I skipped class for 3 straight weeks, but my goal is 5 times per week.
I've had a few people ask me about hot yoga so I thought I would write up some tips for newbies who are curious about venturing into the sweatier side of yoga.
1) Drop expectations
Every yoga studio is different. Mine has no music or mirrors. Other studios have both of those. You have to find the studio with the vibe and community that feels right to you. Each time I practice at a different studio, or even practice with somebody different at my studio, I learn a pose I didn't know. Or I will learn new ways to approach a certain pose. It's OK to not know every pose and to look around to see how it's done. Nobody cares, trust me. Everybody is focuses on their breathing and their focal point to worry about what somebody on the next mat is doing.
2) Get a yoga towel, or three!
I went to my first two classes without a yoga towel and I was slipping and sliding all over my mat. I honestly had no clue that people even used a yoga towel! They are essential because they keep you from sliding while you are dripping sweat all over. I love my Lululemon yoga towels. I have 3 fun colored ones that I rotate. These towels are the same size as your mat. When you get to class you put down your mat, cover it with the towel and spray the towel with water so it sticks. As you sweat on the towel, it stays in place pretty well. They also have the added benefit of prolonging the life of your yoga mat, which is always a plus.
3) Hydrate
You will be sweating A LOT. My classes are 95+ degrees. Hydration before, during and after is key. I'm usually starving after class, which most times is a sign that I need to chug some water. Definitely do not go to class without a water bottle. I have witnessed people not bring any water to class and they spend a lot of time running back and forth to the water fountain.
4) Don't be afraid to take child's pose
Hot yoga is hard. I think it is much more difficult that it's non-heated counterpart. I do hot power vinyasa (Baptiste yoga) and sometimes I just need to rest. Or take a minute to drink some water (I drink a ton during class). Nobody judges. Everybody takes child's pose at some point. Yesterday I had a particularly hard class and took child's pose quite a few times. I wasn't the only one.
If you love yoga, hot yoga is definitely something to try. It's not for everyone but I personally love the feeling of sweating it all out. All that sweat is supposed to detox our bodies too, so that's an added benefit. Since committing to regular hot yoga I have absolutely improved my practice. I can do poses I never could before, including some that I had never even heard of. I also really love going to a studio and learning from different teachers. They all approach the practice in a different way. I know which instructor will kick my butt with a hard workout. I know which one will really make me focus on myself and my thoughts. I know which one encourages play and trying new things whether you fall over or not.
If you are in the Charlotte area, I highly recommend dropping by my studio for a class. It's fantastic and I promise you will fall in love! Yoga one: www.y1now.com
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