“‘It’s going to be 105 degrees and I’m going to be doing yoga moves’ is what I thought to myself. I like the heat, so this should be cool (pun intended). But upon walking into my first hot Bikram yoga session, I saw that with my t-shirt and shorts, I was severely overdressed. Many men wore just shorts and women would wear bikini-size bottoms with sports bra–halfway naked–but I could understand why.” Needless to say, I started sweating immediately, like a lot. We started a warm-up exercise and I figured I could last, but I couldn’t help but stare at the clock wondering when my hour session would be up.
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For me being a Bikram yoga virgin, I think I did alright. Only stopping halfway through as recommended by the instructor for newbies or those who just needed a breather.
It worked out well. But the most surprising part was after the class, taking a shower was purely the most relaxing, and exhilarating experience ever. Releasing those toxins off of your body, was awesome.
Those who are devoted to the practice say hot yoga has all kinds of benefits.
The most common benefit is detoxification: heavy sweating is said to help flush toxins from the skin. Working in a heated room also elevates the heart rate, which makes the body work harder.
“It’s really for people who want a more intense workout—those who want to develop strength, flexibility and tone along with a cardiovascular workout.
Working in heat helps the body relax, improves breathing (which helps conditions like asthma), and focuses the mind, which develops better mental concentration.
Just like “regular” yoga, hot yoga comes in many different styles:
Bikram yoga, which is practiced at certified studios right across the country and the world, is still considered the original incarnation of the form. Those classes follow a set sequence of 26 postures and focus on endurance.
Moksha Yoga was founded by two yogis from Toronto who wanted to integrate an environmental component into their hot yoga practice.
All Moksha studios, found across Canada and the United States, adhere to “green” principles—incorporating things like energy-efficient heating and sustainable flooring.
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The key to enjoying hot yoga is to go in prepared. It’s important to be well-hydrated before taking a hot yoga class.
I recommend drinking water throughout the day in anticipation.
I would also recommend not eating too much before a class, and replenishing lost minerals and electrolytes with a fortified drink afterward, such as Gatorade or coconut water.
Remember that yoga isn’t competitive, everyone should take a class at their own pace.
If you feel weird, lightheaded or uneasy, take a break. There’s no ego in yoga, so you just do what you can do.
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