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3 Tips To Help You Beat The Hot Yoga Heat


Walking into my first hot yoga class, I wasn’t sure what to expect. All I knew was it was hot, sweaty and that people raved about it. What I didn’t know was how much more difficult it would be than my typical vinyasa flow and how completely unprepared I was for the heat and humidity. I wore the wrong the clothing, I didn’t bring enough water and I slid all over my mat because I didn’t bring a towel. The next time, I came prepared…and fell in love. Here is what I learned.

Stay Hydrated!
Always be sure to drink an 8-ounce glass of water in the morning to get everything flowing. An hour before my classes I drink 16 ounces of Coconut water to add electrolytes and potassium.  During your practice, don’t hesitate to drink water whenever you need to (it’s not uncommon for me to drink a liter of water during a 60 minute class). Just remember to properly hydrate before, during, and after each hot yoga class. An easy rule to go by is to drink at least half your body weight in ounces each day.

Find the Right Mat!
Hot yoga makes you sweat, so you need a mat that is slip-proof. Here are two top-selling mats specifically designed for hot yoga: I purchased Lululemon’s, The Mat. The polyurethane material makes for an ultra-absorbent top layer, the mat’s thickness provides padding, and the rubber base anchors the mat. I would also recommend the PROlite Mat from Manduka. I see a lot of yogis using this mat and hear only positive reviews. Its closed cell design keeps your sweat from absorbing into the mat, which is what makes you slip and also leads to funky odor over time. Yuck. Moral of the story: you need a quality non-slip mat (or Yogitoes towel to go over your mat) for practicing hot yoga.

Reconnect to Your Focus and Stay Present 
When we’re out of our comfort zone, our minds can easily attach to negative thoughts, causing us to get discouraged. Look out for this! Notice when your mind starts to wander and bring the awareness back to your breath. Focus on each individual inhale and exhale. When you are able to focus on your conscious breathing, it brings you to the present moment and you can approach your practice one breath, one step, and one pose at a time.

See? Hot yoga doesn’t have to be daunting. With these three simple steps, your new hot yoga practice can remain cool, calm, and collected.

Namaste!

This article has been read 10K+ times. Bada bing!

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Samantha Mitchell

Born and raised in Santa Cruz, California with a passion for yoga and the sea! Samantha currently resides in the beautiful valley of Sacramento. With an endless thirst for knowledge and adventure, paired with an artistic mind and compassionate soul, Samantha is a lover of life and is looking forward to the future.

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