Have you heard about the latest yoga craze? It’s called hot yoga and gets its name from heating the room where it’s performed to a temperature as hot as 90 to 105 degrees Fahrenheit and with a relative humidity of 40%. The style is known as Bikram and works by the heat loosening your muscles. You’re then more flexible to perform deep poses. Another benefit of hot yoga is that as you sweat, waste gets flushed out to detoxify your body. Here are seven tips to help you get through your first session of hot yoga.
1. Hydrate
Drink lots of water during the day and before class to stay hydrated. Bring along plenty with you to stay hydrated during your session. Keep a bottle of water with you and sip in moderation rather than chugging. This way, your body can absorb the water before class. Otherwise, when you sweat during class, your body will lose important electrolytes, which can lead to uncomfortable cramping.
2. Supplement With Electrolytes
Electrolytes are electrically charged ions that your body needs. Sodium, potassium, chloride, magnesium sulfate, phosphate, and bicarbonate are the main electrolytes you lose through sweating. Loss of these electrolytes, particularly sodium and potassium, will cause muscle cramps and confusion. Consume sports drinks with electrolytes or purchase powders or tablets to add to plain water to turn it into power water.
3. Don’t Forget to Bring Towels
Sweating is an important part of the hot yoga sequences. You will probably find yourself sweating profusely before your session is over. Along with your yoga mat, pack two towels. Bring a beach towel to place over your yoga mat to catch the drips and keep you from slipping and sliding. Use a regular-sized bath towel to dry yourself off as needed.
4. Wear Comfortable Clothing
Hot yoga classes are not the place for fashions. Dress comfortably in light clothing. A swimsuit or shorts and a sports bra for ladies will do. Men only need to wear swim trunks. A terry cloth headband will help wick sweat from your brow. Ladies should leave off the makeup; sweating will cause it to run into your eyes and make them sting.
5. Arrive Early
Avoid having a sudden higher temperature shock your system. Arrive at your class about ten minutes before it begins. Sit in the studio and let your body adjust to the higher heat gradually. This will also give you time to decompress and relax so you’ll be mentally prepared for your session.
6. Go Easy the First Time
Hot yoga can cause you to feel lightheaded, especially the first time you try it. If you feel overwhelmed or uncomfortable, go into an easy position such as a Child’s Pose until you recover.
7. Pack a Warm Outfit for After Class
Although you will need to dress scantily for class, you’ll need to put on something to keep you warm after the sessions are over. Unless it’s a very hot summer day, the air you walk into when leaving will feel much chillier than the hot and humid yoga studio. Your workout clothes will be soaked in sweat, and you’ll need something clean and dry to change into.
Published By: Aize Perez
