Never done Hot Yoga before... Interested in trying it out? Here are a few tips that will allow you to make the most of your Hot Yoga class!
What to bring: Unlike traditional yoga, hot yoga requires a few more accessories to make the class more enjoyable. Bring a big bottle of water so that you can stay hydrated throughout class; your own yoga mat; a towel for face/neck sweat. Note: towels are not required, but with all of the sweating you do, they are nice to have.(We have water and Yoga mats for sale at Sydney Hot Yoga).
What to wear: It's best to wear your regular yoga clothes to class which are made out of sweat-wicking materials. I would suggest steering clear of baggy or articles of clothing made out of cotton because anything baggy will just become a nuisance, and cotton actually traps sweat, so you'll feel even more uncomfortable.
What the atmosphere is like: As soon as you walk into class, the sudden temperature change will be a shock to your system. You'll feel like you just stepped foot into the Sahara Desert! Find a place in the room to set up your mat and towel, and within a few minutes you'll acclimate to the temperature. Some classes people are really chatty before and want to talk about the weather, etc., and some of the classes where it's complete silence beforehand — helping you get your "om" on before the teacher walks in. Every instructor and class is different so enjoy and make the most of it.
The actual class: All hot yoga instructors bring their own flair and style to class. Some teachers use loud, rhythmic music, while some use quiet, meditative music, while some don't use any music at all. And just like other types of yoga, the poses can be really intense and be held longer than others, or quick, like a flow sequence. Remember to keep filling your lungs with air, taking long deep breaths throughout your practice. If you need to stop at any point during the class because you are feeling nauseous or dizzy, make sure you stop and drink some water. And if you need to rest to catch your breath, just go into child's pose and take the time you need before continuing. It's better to go into child's pose and take a break, rather than push yourself to a point that could be potentially harmful. It's normal to feel a bit light-headed during class because of the extreme heat, but if you feel like you're going to faint, naturally you can excuse yourself from the room. I've heard of classes where the teachers forbid you from leaving once the class is started, but first and foremost, you need to take care of you, so if you feel unwell, don't push yourself. Feeling uncomfortable is common, being in unbearable pain is not.
The sweat factor: Be prepared to sweat. You're going to drip sweat from places you didn't even know could produce sweat. And if you think you're sweating, just look at how much your neighbour is sweating. Feel free to wipe your face during class with your hand towel if the sweat beads rolling down your face get to be too much. And after class, remember to wipe around your mat for any sweat that escaped your towel zone.
What to expect after class: If you drive to class, Take a few moments to drink some water and re-connect with reality before taking to the roads. You may feel light-headed, which is perfectly normal, so don't be afraid to extend your Savasana "the corpse pose" for a few minutes longer, or hang out in the entrance of the studio before continuing on with your day.
Hot yoga can be a bit of an adjustment (and requires doing laundry more frequently!), but overall it increases your flexibility, strength, energy, and re-connects your body to your mind. So enjoy!
If you'd like to try a Hot Yoga class give us a call on 0416 598 211... the first class is on us.
We have 3 introductory offers (via the MindBody app):
1. First Class Free
2. One Week $35
3. One Month $69
Our rates are:
Casual: $25
10 Class Pass: $175 ($17.50 per class)
20 Class Pass: $300 ($15 per class)
One month unlimited: $150
3 months unlimited: $400
Monthly specials can be found on the MindBody app.