If you have ever taken an Ashtanga, Bikram or Vinyasa class you know that the room is heated to temperatures between 90 and 104°F. Because of this heat, there are a few precautions that you should follow. Here are some things to keep in mind before your first class.
Drink water and lots of it. Heat in the room acts as a detoxifier for your body and promotes increased flexibility. In turn, the heat promotes sweating, which leads to dehydration. Make sure to drink plenty of water before class and this will help prevent dehydration.
Speaking of water, try not to eat right before class. If you are hungry, eat a light meal at least three hours before the class. The heated room, combined with the physical exercise can make you feel nauseous.
Always try to wear proper clothes for a heated room. Breathable yoga clothes especially with natural fibers will help keep the moisture away from you body and help you to cool down. Some even wear a cloth headband to catch sweat from getting into their eyes. Also bring a set of dry clothes to change into after the class; your body can catch a chill as you leave the heated room.
Bring a yoga mat as you will sweat profusely during your hot yoga class; bring your own mat to avoid slipping on the floor as well as for hygiene purposes. It is also smart to bring a large towel to place on your mat. You may be surprised at how much you sweat while practicing hot yoga, and your yoga mat can get slippery, so place a towel over your mat to prevent slipping.
Finally, perhaps the most important tip is to take breaks if necessary. It is very important that you listen to your body and take breaks if you need. The extreme heat may cause you to feel dizzy or overheated, if this should happen, move into child’s pose or lay on your back in corpse pose.
Although many claim that hot yoga is the best kind for promoting increased flexibility, strength, and energy, it is not for everyone. Don’t feel that you need to perfect the poses in your first class, rather try and have fun and be patient with your body since it may take several classes or more to get used to the extreme heat.
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