It has been years since I had taken a hot yoga class. Maybe 15-20 years?? So when Kate invited me to join her in a hot yoga class in Santa Ynez, I was a bit anxious and excited. I knew it would be tough- but I am ready for a challenge. So I jumped right in and I’ve got a few tips for those of you who might be interested.
Hot yoga vs. Bikram
When I first tried hot yoga, Bikram was pretty much the only type of class offered. Bikram is pretty regimented. The room is heated to 105 degrees. You repeat 26 poses twice over the course of 90 minutes. I remember being completely drained afterwards. But there are other type of hot yoga offered now. A cursory google search of local hot yoga offerings includes “hot flow”, “hot fusion” and “inferno pilates” (which frankly sounds terrifying!) But there are a number of classes that are only 45 or 60 minutes, which is a lot more manageable than 90. So don’t hesitate to look around.
You just have to embrace the heat
It’s going to be hot. It’s going to make normal yoga poses even more challenging. But the only way out is through, as they say. So don’t fight it- it will be easier that way, I promise.
(I think) it’s ok to let your mind wander
During the most challenging parts, I let my mind drift a bit- it seemed to make the hot yoga experience a bit more bearable! And actually, it allowed me to get more out of it on a mental level. Let me explain. During the poses, I glanced down at my legs, visible since I was wearing bike shorts. My legs have scars- bug bite reminders, a healed gash from a run early in the pandemic when I tripped on the sidewalk. And maybe because it was so hot and my usual nonsense was stripped away- but I actually thought they looked beautiful. They were flawed and older but they had given me a lot. A lot of walking, hiking, squats, stretches, lifting and bending.
And my thoughts turned to stoicism and the fact that these are the only legs I’m ever going to have. So I might as well stop complaining that they are “too chunky” or “overly muscular.” And as if on cue, the woman standing in front of me in the class took off her shirt to reveal a skull tattoo on her back. Memento mori strikes again!
Some good gear will make hot yoga more pleasant
Just because you have to embrace the suck of hot yoga doesn’t mean you need to be miserable during the class. So here are a few things I remembered and a few that I didn’t for my recent class.
- Bike shorts and a tank top. Although I saw a few people wearing long leggings, I was very happy in my Athleta bike shorts
- Yoga mat (of course)- probably best to bring your own, for sanitary purposes
- Yoga mat towel with grips on the back- much more pleasant than slipping around
- Headband– I just got my hair cut and those cute short layers around my face were really annoying. You can spend a lot for stretchy headbands at Lulu and Alo but these are perfectly fine
- Water of course! And an extra towel
- A spare shirt- especially in the winter. You’ll emerge from the class a sweaty (but triumphant) mess. If you are like me, you will quickly become chilled. So bring a spare shirt- ditch your tank and sports bra in a laundry bag and head home for a shower
I’ve already signed up for a hot yoga class in Walnut Creek next week. I’ll be better equipped this time! And excited to make this part of my regular fitness routines.
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Excited you have found a place at home!!!
I am going to try out a few different places before I commit!