exer_cited
Cathlete
I'm taking my first hot yoga class tomorrow morning. Anyone have any experience with hot yoga? Any advice? Just not sure what to expect...
TIA!
TIA!
Hot yoga -- what to expect
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ellesan
Cathlete
I just started and love it!! I've done 4 classes now. I just did a review of it on my blog: http://maintainmyweight.blogspot.com/2010/11/my-bikram-hot-yoga-experience.html
Expect to be hot, really sweaty (dripping!!), maybe dizzy and light-headed, also maybe a little nauseated is not unusual.
They will tell you that your goal for the first day is to just stay in the room and breathe. Lie down if you need too. There is no judgement and everyone will be in a different "place" in regards to how much of the pose they are doing. They talk quickly through the poses, you'll miss a lot of what they say at first. Follow the experience people in front of you and just do the best you can.
They should have already told you to bring a yoga mat, a towel to go over the mat, and a bottle of water with ice. (I fill my bottle with ice and then finish it off with water--otherwise you will be drinking hot water!)
I did about 75% of the first class, 85% of the second class, 90% of the third class and by the 4th class I did 100% to my ability and did not get dizzy or light headed at all. My mom just did her first class and had to lie down 50% of the time--even though I told her she might feel dizzy and nauseated it still took her by surprise.
Be hydrated before class, eat light if you need to eat beforehand (I don't eat before morning classes), have extra water for afterwards and maybe something with electrolytes in it and a light snack.
Enjoy!
Expect to be hot, really sweaty (dripping!!), maybe dizzy and light-headed, also maybe a little nauseated is not unusual.
They will tell you that your goal for the first day is to just stay in the room and breathe. Lie down if you need too. There is no judgement and everyone will be in a different "place" in regards to how much of the pose they are doing. They talk quickly through the poses, you'll miss a lot of what they say at first. Follow the experience people in front of you and just do the best you can.
They should have already told you to bring a yoga mat, a towel to go over the mat, and a bottle of water with ice. (I fill my bottle with ice and then finish it off with water--otherwise you will be drinking hot water!)
I did about 75% of the first class, 85% of the second class, 90% of the third class and by the 4th class I did 100% to my ability and did not get dizzy or light headed at all. My mom just did her first class and had to lie down 50% of the time--even though I told her she might feel dizzy and nauseated it still took her by surprise.
Be hydrated before class, eat light if you need to eat beforehand (I don't eat before morning classes), have extra water for afterwards and maybe something with electrolytes in it and a light snack.
Enjoy!
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exer_cited
Cathlete
Thank you for the great input, Sandra.
I had planned on bringing my own yoga mat and towel. I didn't even think about the water situation for before and after or a quick snack. Great tips!!!
I'm feeling much more "prepared" now!!!
I had planned on bringing my own yoga mat and towel. I didn't even think about the water situation for before and after or a quick snack. Great tips!!!
I'm feeling much more "prepared" now!!!
RapidBreath
Cathlete
If you are going to eat beforehand just think of it as a really hot muggy day and adjust accordingly.
ellesan
Cathlete
exer_cited
Cathlete
Melissa--how was it??I'm on my way to hot yoga in 30 min
Hi Sandra!! I just got back about an hour ago and still not quite sure what I think of the class...
The room was 90 degrees. It was a little overwhelming at first. I had a hard time paying attention to the instructor because of the constant voice in my head that kept saying "damn it's hot in here"...
I was able to settle in after the first 10 minutes or so and concentrate for the rest of the class. Or at least the majority of it. Towards the end my mind started wandering. And there were a couple of times in the middle where I had to just lay down on my back and breathe. I will definetly go back next Saturday. I'd like to give it at least three classes before I throw in the extremely sweat-soaked towel!!!!I hope you enjoyed your class today. And thanks again for the tips. The ice-water definetly came in handy. Well, until it all melted and was room temp!!! Which didn't take that long at all...
ellesan
Cathlete
Hi Sandra!! I just got back about an hour ago and still not quite sure what I think of the class...
The room was 90 degrees. It was a little overwhelming at first. I had a hard time paying attention to the instructor because of the constant voice in my head that kept saying "damn it's hot in here"...
I hope you enjoyed your class today. And thanks again for the tips. The ice-water definetly came in handy. Well, until it all melted and was room temp!!! Which didn't take that long at all...
90 degrees is cool!!! Were you at a Bikram College of India studio? My studio is 103-105 degrees and 30-40% humidity. I swear the instructor had it hotter and more humid though--class was awful today. I feel totally drained
A lot of people complained today that it was the hottest class ever and we all had to take more breaks. It's humbling, right?
There's only one instructor I really like--he keeps it a little cooler (102) and a little less humid, which feels right for my body and still challenging. Super challenging, right? Did the smell bother you?
I'm not sure where I'll go with it. My 4th class was great and this 5th class sucked. I'll keep going 3x's a week until the intro is done and then see. Good that you are going to give it at least 3 classes. And good for you for trying something new! Glad my tips helped you a bit.
exer_cited
Cathlete
Okay Sandra, now I feel like a complete baby complaining about 90 degrees!!! Yikes, 103-105 degrees...
The studio I went to is a Vinyasa studio. Not sure how that differs in style from Bikram other than the extreme heat and humidity.
The smell didn't bother me that much. It was the first class of the day so there was no pre-existing stink to get used to. Which is good, because I was overwhelmed enough with the heat, a stench to boot probably would have had me running for some cold, fresh air.
It was really challenging. And not just physically, mentally as well. Which was more of a struggle than I thought it would be but a nice change. I'm not too sure where I'll go with this either. I have two more classes with my intro so I think I'm going to go to a regular class on Tuesday night and then try one more heated class and see how I feel about it.
I have to say, it's nice to be around people for a change. I've been working out in my basement for so long, I feel like a hermit!! That's what prompted me to look into yoga in the first place. It was that or a gym membership but I'm not sure I can justify it in my mind since I have everything I need right in my basement.
Good luck!!!
The studio I went to is a Vinyasa studio. Not sure how that differs in style from Bikram other than the extreme heat and humidity.
The smell didn't bother me that much. It was the first class of the day so there was no pre-existing stink to get used to. Which is good, because I was overwhelmed enough with the heat, a stench to boot probably would have had me running for some cold, fresh air.
It was really challenging. And not just physically, mentally as well. Which was more of a struggle than I thought it would be but a nice change. I'm not too sure where I'll go with this either. I have two more classes with my intro so I think I'm going to go to a regular class on Tuesday night and then try one more heated class and see how I feel about it.
I have to say, it's nice to be around people for a change. I've been working out in my basement for so long, I feel like a hermit!! That's what prompted me to look into yoga in the first place. It was that or a gym membership but I'm not sure I can justify it in my mind since I have everything I need right in my basement.
Good luck!!!
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