I never ever sweat... Or so I thought that I never did. I would run and run, no sweat. I would lift weights and workout as hard as possible, still no sweat. I thought that my body's natural cooling system was broken. I thought it was impossible for my body to produce sweat. That was until I tried hot yoga for the first time.
I wore a sweat shirt and yoga pants the first time because I thought it'd help me produce sweat. Well, I definitely didn't need any help producing sweat in a room heated about 100 degrees fahrenheit. I sweat more than I thought I'd ever be able to. I probably sweat off 5 pounds of water weight during my first 90 minute session (Not to mention, I didn't even complete the 26 pose series. I sat down for the last 5 poses). It was disgusting, but relieving to know that my body could actually produce sweat.
For the next class, I wore just a sports bra and yoga pants. I was much more relaxed and actually completed the 26 poses. I was proud of myself, although I'm not nearly as flexible as I had thought, still proud that I completed the poses on my second attempt.
For my third class, I wasn't feeling well. I didn't drink any water prior and I felt miserable. Not even ten minutes into the class, my head was pounding, the room felt way too hot to bare. I walked out of class and never returned. I regret that. I was dehydrated and tired, not beaten and battered from the yoga. I shouldn't have given up, but I didn't want to feel that way again.
So here are a few tips for anyone looking into hot yoga:
1.) HYDRATE HYDRATE HYDRATE
Do not chug water during the class! Hydration is a process and a constant state inside of your body's system. You cannot drink a gallon of water all at once and be hydrated right then and there. Hydration needs to be done in small bits all day, every day. Do not think you can go to hot yoga dehydrated and think you'll make it through an entire class. You won't last 20 minutes. You won't even last 10 minutes comfortably. Stay hydrated. Always.
2.) STRETCH STRETCH STRETCH
Flexibility is not genetic. It can be practiced. Yoga is full of poses that require different degrees of flexibility. Class will be much more enjoyable if you can at least touch your toes. So, yes stretch before class, during class, and after. You don't want to pull any muscles. Or maybe you do, I guess of that's what you're into.
3.) ENJOY YOURSELF
Wear comfortable, stretchy clothes, and don't compare yourself to anyone in the class. You are here to improve your health and well-being, not to be better than the person in front of you. Remember, everyone started where you are on their first day of yoga too.
Enjoy your hot yoga sessions and check out Bikram Yoga Baltimore, if you're ever in the area.
After hot yoga, I did start to sweat doing other activities, like running and lifting weights. My sweat glands just needed to be shocked by intense heat.
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