Yoga like it's Hot


I recently found a Hot Yoga place in my area.  I stopped in the other day to get some information about it and they gave me a pass to come back to take a free class. So one day last week I took my free class!  This was my first Hot Yoga class. I really didn’t know what to expect. I have only taken a yoga class once, years ago and did not care for it because I didn’t feel like I got a good workout. I guess for me what constitutes as a good workout is something that is going to make me sweat, and I heard that Hot Yoga does that.


Usually everyone brings
their own mat but since I have never been there, there were mats available to use. She quickly gave me a tour of the studio then set me up for class. There was a mat, a towel that went over top, and a block and a belt to lie beside the mat. She sprayed the towel where my hands and feet would go. She said that is so I don’t slip when I start doing my moves. When I first went into the room, I thought it would be a lot hotter in there; after all it was Hot Yoga.

We were just about to start and there was a lady that came in and there was no more room for her, so the Instructor told her to take her spot. I thought, man my first time and I will not even be able to watch the Instructor show the moves. We started and she began to talk “yoga terms” that I had no idea. We first started on our back and were told to just relax with music playing in the background. You know the music, the kind that you would hear if you would be getting a massage. I thought this is going to be a long class. Well I was wrong. Soon enough we were doing very challenging moves, and there were different levels of each moves, depending on your flexibility. I couldn’t believe the moves that some of the ladies were doing. There was this one in particular I noticed a lady on one leg and the other leg was fully extending up to the ceiling, and then she took her leg and practically wrapped it around her neck. Wow! And the music got better too. It was basically my ipod playlist, so I really enjoyed that.
Even though the Instructor did not have a mat and a spot, she was very helpful with the instructions and she would still perform the moves so we knew how to do them correctly. And remember that thing I said about the temperature not being hot enough? Well it didn’t take long for sweat to start dripping, so I guess it was hot enough. After class I saw that the temperature was 98 degrees. That ended up being one of the quickest hours. At the end of the class she said she would be coming around to give us cold towels. She pressed the cold compress on our forehead that smelled like eucalyptus. It was very refreshing. 
After class I asked the Instructor if she teaches the same exact classes. She said that the moves may be the same, but she never teaches the same class again. She also told me that she incorporated certain moves during that class because she knew that I was a runner. I thought that was very nice of her. Before class I did feel a little tight in spots, but I really felt that taking that class loosened everything up. I think it will be a nice compliment to my running and I will be going back.
After class, I didn’t think I was going to do much more the rest of the day. Honestly that class took it out of me.  When I got home, I was happy to see that then I got two package and I just had to try out my stuff.  I'll share my goodies in another post though! 
Have you ever taken Hot Yoga? -L



31 comments:

  1. I have never taken hot yoga, but once did a power yoga that felt really hot!

    did you feel sleepy? I always feel sleepy at the end of yoga.

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  2. LOVE hot yoga! I don't get to do it regularly. There isn't a class nearby, but I've done it on vacation (it's popular in beach locations!). I do vinyasa regularly here in my town, and I wish my instructor could find a location where she could teach hot yoga as well. She's limited in her space right now. I loved your description of the class. The comment about the leg around her neck made me giggle! I still feel that way about some of my classmates! I'll never be able to do that!

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    1. I'm glad it is right across the street from me because if it wasn't I probably would have never tried it.

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  3. I have tried it once before and it's not for me. It made me feel really sick and faint after.

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    1. Oh no! Guess it isn't for everyone. I like it bc you do sweat alot. But I can see how it may be a little much at times.

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  4. I've never done hot yoga since I only took yoga at my gym, but now that I don't have a gym membership, I do yoga at home. There is a studio near my apartment, but it doesn't look like they offer hot yoga either.

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    1. I really like the hot yoga but I'd doubt I would do just the regular yoga at home.

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  5. I've never done hot yoga. As a long time yogi, I have to say that hot yoga does not appeal to me. I enjoy the feeling of moving but I don't want to sweat when I'm doing yoga. For me yoga is all about stretching and lengthening. I'm not looking for a "workout". But I can understand the appeal of it, from that perspective!

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    1. See, I am the opposite. I wanna feel like I am "working out" while doing it. And hot yoga definitely makes you feel the burn.

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  6. That's cool that she incorporated specific moves knowing that you're a runner :) I do like yoga classes but I've never tried hot yoga. I'm a little scared of a 98 degree room!

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    1. Now that it is even getting hotter outside. It is getting to be a little much in there at times, that she does Crack the door open every few mins. So that is nice.

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  7. I've tried hot yoga once and left the studio feeling "eh" about it. Its just not for me. The best thing about fitness is that with so many options out there its easy to find something to appeals to our individual tastes.

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  8. I adore hot yoga. I'll do it on my own in a regular temp room, but if I am taking a class? It better be hot!

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    1. Exactly! When I am sweating I also feel like I am working harder.

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  9. 2 things I hate in life - being hot & yoga. Totally not for me.
    When I'm in a hot room, I feel like someone is suffocating me so I think my panic would be so high, I couldnt even concentrate on the yoga to calm the mind.
    My SIL LOVES it though. Something for everyone.

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    1. Well I used to say I never liked yoga. It wasn't until I tried the hot yoga that I am enjoying it. I may even give regular yoga another chance.

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  10. I've never tried hot yoga. I like the heat, but I'm afraid that might be a little too intense for me. I'm about as flexible as a tree trunk so I'm always very hesitant to try yoga.

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    1. I am not very flexible either. The blocks do help with that, for stability as well.

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  11. Sounds like you've stumbled onto a great instructor!

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    1. Yes they all have been pretty good so far I've tried.

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  12. I've never taken a hot yoga class but I'm really intrigued! Great review, thanks for sharing!

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  13. I love hot yoga but I don't have a studio pass anymore. It was just too expensive and I don't use it enough. I would love to get back to it at some point though!

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    1. I doubt I will continue with my pass after my trial is up. I think it is pretty pricey per mth.

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  14. I do yoga, but stay away from hot yoga because of my asthma! So glad you had a good experience.

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  15. I can see how that may be difficult for someone with asthma. I don't blame you.

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  16. Awesome that you were able to try something new! I've tried yoga and couldn't get into it...and I DEFINITELY don't like being hot, lol...so it's probably not an activity for me, but I know people who swear by it!

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  17. I really enjoy hot yoga and try to go once a week. You really get used to heat after a few times.

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  18. Listen, when you pass 40 all yoga is hot yoga! LOL! I think you get a better workout than you realize. I only go once per week and when I miss that one class I can feel it!

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