A Newbie's Guide to Hot Yoga

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 I love hot yoga. I mean I really LOVE hot yoga. Not only is it a great workout that combines strength training with stretching, but for me, when I combine that amazing workout with the heat of the room I leave with a feeling of euphoria. True; there are a lot of people who think the idea of spending an hour in a 90 to 105 degree room is pretty extreme and yes your body and your mind will be pushed to their limits, but if you have ever had the slightest interest in trying a class I highly recommend it.

Here's a few tips to get you ready for your first class:

1. Pick the class that's right for you. 
There are many different kinds of hot yoga (vinyasa, bikram, power yoga) and you will want to select the one that sounds like the best match for your level. Not sure which one is right for you? Talk with an instructor at the yoga studio. They will be able to give you a brief overview of each style and point you in the right direction.

2. Hydrate, hydrate, hydrate.
I cannot stress this enough. If your body is not properly hydrated you will have a terrible time in class. You might get lightheaded, pass out, or even get sick halfway through. Be sure to load up on your water the night before as well as bring a BIG water bottle to class.

3. Eat something before class.
I recommend eating something small 2-3 hours before class. While you don't want a full stomach during your class, you don't want to be famished either. I've seen class mates faint because their blood sugar dropped too low.

4. Snag a spot near the door.
This is extra important if it is your first time. Not only will you be able to catch a few glorious moments of a cool breeze when the instructor opens the door to help regulate the temperature during class but you will have easy access to an escape route if you need it.

5. Wear the right clothes.
There will be sweat, lots and lots of sweat. Stay away from fabrics like cotton and go with clothing that is moisture-wicking.

6. Bring a towel.
Like I said, there is going to be a lot of sweat. You'll want something you can grab to wipe away the excess whenever you can get the chance. Some people like to bring full body length towels or special yoga towels to put on top of their mat, but I usually prefer to just bring a hand/face towel. Its large enough to do the job, without being so big that it will get all bunchy underneath me.

7. Bring a mat.
Some studios will have mats available for anyone to use, but I prefer to know that the sweat I'm feeling (and smelling) came from me and no one else.

8. Listen to your body and don't be embarrassed to take it easy.
The most important advice I can give anyone is to listen to their body. If something hurts, especially if its a shooting or stabbing type of pain, take a break or modify the position. You don't want to injure yourself because you were trying to look cool in front of the cute girl or boy in the row behind you. And please, if you start to feel faint, light-headed, dizzy, or nauseated - take a break, drink some water, and take some deep breaths while letting your heart rate come down. if the feeling doesn't go away, try stepping outside for a moment. Just make sure you let the instructor know so they can help if needed.

And if you want some hilarious insight to what you can expect to be thinking throughout your class, check out this great article on Bustle.