Hot yoga questions, answered!
Sunday, January 17, 2010 at 07:40AM I'm not flexible; is hot yoga for me?
This is the most common question people ask. If you're not flexible, you’re in the BEST position to benefit from hot yoga! The heat of hot yoga will help make those short, tight muscles long, strong and pliable. Do your best in each Hot Yoga pose, and you will get 100% of the benefits..including increased flexibility.
I've never taken a yoga class; is hot yoga for beginners?
Hot yoga is actually perfect for beginners. The heat will help you move safely into each pose; in fact, with the help of the heat, you may be better at yoga than you thought! Beginners' Mind, an attitude of openness to learning new things in each hot yoga class, brings you maximum benefis from each hot yoga class you do, whether its your first class or your hundredth. The best yogis are always those with beginners' mind.
Why is the room hot and humid?
The heat in hot yoga warms your muscles so they can flex safely and easily. Heat also heals and helps prevent injuries. Humidity in the hot yoga room promote sweating which cools your body and flushes toxins. Be prepared to sweat...and enjoy it.
Is hot yoga cardiovascular? Can I lose weight?
The hot yoga series is designed to work your entire body from bones to skin. There are hot yoga poses that will work your heart muscle and you will indeed feel those cardio effects. With a consistent hot yoga practice, you can also lose pounds and inches; you can reshape parts of your body like your arms and legs, abs and thighs and more; and hot yoga burns calories like crazy. The beauty of hot yoga is how beautiful it makes you.
What are hot yoga's other benefits?
Hot yoga is said to reduce stress, increase blood circulation, clean and flush the organs and of course, improve physical strength and flexibility. Regular practice (at least three times a week) may reduce the symptoms of diseases like arthritis, diabetes and thyroid disorders. Hot yoga promotes inner benefits such as deeper focus and relaxation.
What should I wear to hot yoga?
Women should wear spandex shorts or leggings, leotard, sports bra or top. Men should wear shorts or bathing trunks. Since you will sweat a lot, the less you wear the better; wet clothing can feel like a wet towel around you and even weigh you down in hot yoga.
What should I bring to class?
Bring a large, cold water, preferably two: one to drink before class, one to sip during class. Being well hydrated is important, and only water is allowed in the hot yoga room. Bring a yoga mat if you have one, a large towel and a small washcloth to use if your hands get sweaty to assure a good grip in the poses.
What time should I come to class?
Arrive at least 15 minutes early to check in and lie down in the hot yoga room before class starts. We lock the door when hot yoga begins so arriving late could leave you out in the cold….call ahead if you’re running 5 minutes late and we will leave the door open for you; come in and lock up behind you.
Reader Comments (4)
Hi Rhonda,
I am loving the hot yoga and just did my 6th class.I find the morning classes easier to do.....................I believe it is because I have an empty stomach. I am finding it difficult to eat properly to prepare for the evening classes. On the days that I have an evening class, should I just eat a bigger lunch and then a smaller snack about 3:30? What about after class? I pretty much go home and to bed but need to eat something?! Any ideas? : ) Would a protein shake with soy milk and fruit do for that time?
Thank you for being there!
Dawn
Hi Dawn! Everyone has a different take on the time of day they prefer to do hot yoga; if you like doing hot yoga on an emptier stomach but want to come to evening classes, you found the solution! For a 6:30 class, eat a light Noon lunch, followed by a healthy snack at about 3:30: fruit, nuts, salads - food that are easily digestible - are all good. Avoid greasy fried food and heavy meats. Simple carbs are fine. After evening class, if you want to eat before bed, your suggestion of a protein shake or smoothie is a good one. Eating before bed is optional but drinking water after evening hot yoga and before bed is highly recommended - even if you need to get up in the middle of the night to empty your bladder. If you notice that your urine is dark or has a strong smell, it could be a sign that you are dehydrated...avoid it before it happens!
do you have humidifiers
Hi Joanne - do we have humidifiers - we have the king of humidifiers! We call it The Chicken, as this humidifier is used to incubate baby chicks who need it hot and humid. It gets our hot yoga room up to 50% humidity in under 15 minutes, so you're good to go from the get go