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10 Hot Tips to Help You Get the Most Out of Your Hot Yoga Practice

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Sponsored by OdorZlenz

Some like it hot. And some like it really hot. If you like it really hot, then that means you’re a hot yogi! Hot Yoga is all about the hot, sweaty practice. We love it when the temperature rises, the sweat drips, and the focus is purely on the breath and the movement.
 
Hot Yoga is not like other yoga disciplines. The heat creates an entirely different environment and also an entirely different set of requirements for your practice.
 
Whether you’re a seasoned hot yogi or getting ready to take your first-ever Hot Yoga class, these hot tips will guide you to getting the most out of your time in the hot room.
 
Are you a hot yogi? Check out these 6 Defining Traits of a Hot Yogi
 
 

Here Are 10 Hot Yoga Hacks to Get the Most Out of Your Practice:

As hot yogis, we know we need yoga mats that have traction even when we sweat. As hot yogis, we know we need to wear particular types of yoga clothing for the hot room. What else do we need to know as hot yogis?
 
 

1. Hydrate Wisely

Since we sweat so much in hot yoga, we need to make sure we’re staying hydrated. This means drinking plenty of fluids before and after you practice. But not all fluids are created equal.
 
Water is the safe go-to, but doesn’t offer the added benefit of electrolytes. Sports drinks have electrolytes but also a ton of added sugar and other not-so-good-for-you ingredients.
 
Coconut water is an excellent choice for rehydrating your body after a sweaty hot yoga sesh. It contains 5 key electrolytes, potassium, and B-Vitamins without the added sugars of sports drinks.
 
 

2. Hack the Way You Drink Water

Don’t have coconut water on hand? You can still create your own electrolyte water! All you need is a pinch of salt and a lemon wedge to add to your filtered water. Just make sure you’re staying hydrated before, during, and after your hot yoga practice.
 
Want to make sure you’re drinking enough water each day? There’s a hack for that too! Divide how much you weigh in half, and that’s how many ounces of water you should drink per day. For example, a 120-pound female should drink at least 60 ounces of water daily.
 
Bring a water bottle to class that’s either insulated or has ice in it so your water doesn’t get hot. Don’t chug water throughout, but small sips here and there will quench your thirst.
 
 

3. You Need to Get a Grip

You sweat a lot in Hot Yoga – that’s the point! But many yoga mats lose their grip and traction when they get wet. Slipping can be distracting and even dangerous, so it’s important to find a yoga mat that maintains – or has even better – traction when you sweat.
 
You can also consider using a yoga mat towel that covers your entire mat. Look for a towel that has grips on the bottom so it stays in place during your practice. Cork yoga mats, mats with a textured top layer, and yoga mat towels are the best bet for a safe and successful Hot Yoga practice.
 
Curious about which yoga mat is best for your Hot Yoga practice? Check out our review of the Best Yoga Mats on the Market.
 
 

4. Don’t Let Your Sweat Distract You

Sweating is awesome, but it shouldn’t get in the way of your focus. First, wear a headband to prevent sweat from dripping into your eyes (this is definitely distracting!). Next, be sure to bring a hand towel to keep at the top of your mat. You can use it to wipe your sweat and also dry off between poses.
 
Since you’ll be sweating, don’t bother doing your hair or makeup before class – just pull your hair back in a bun or ponytail. For the same reason, don’t put on lotion before class either – it’ll get slimy and slippery once you start to sweat.
 
 

5. What You Wear Matters

Hot Yoga is not the time to wear your thickest leggings or stylish-but-stuffy yoga top. Instead, wear clothing that is breathable, sweat-wicking, and stretchy – nobody wants to practice in saggy, soggy yoga clothes!
 
Since the temperature is hot, less is more! If you feel comfortable, go topless (guys) or show off that sports bra ladies! Choose shorts or capris over leggings, and look for lightweight, high-performance fabrics.
 
Ready to expand your Hot Yoga wardrobe? Check out all the Hot Yoga Clothing You’ll Love Getting Sweaty In!
 
 

6. Take Care of Your Hot Yoga Clothes

All that sweat can really wreak havoc on your yoga clothes in the form of stubborn odors. It’s important to rinse of your Hot Yoga clothes after class and wash them as soon as possible.
 
But often times, normal detergent isn’t enough and typically only masks (as opposed to remove) odors. Choose safe, natural products like OdorKlenz SPORT Laundry Additive that actually removes odors from fabrics without any harsh chemicals or toxins.
 
Wondering if this detergent actually works? Check out our video review of OrderKlenz.
 
odor-klenz-300x250

 
 

7. Fuel Yourself Before Class – But Don’t Overeat

Your body will need fuel from a healthy meal for your practice, but you never want to practice Hot Yoga on a full stomach. It’s best to eat 2-4 hours before you practice (try not to eat anything within an hour of class).
 
If you’re starving and need a little snack (or if you practice early in the morning), opt for a handful of nuts or dried fruit so you won’t feel weighed down during class.
 
 

8. Arrive 10-15 Minutes Early

While this is a good rule of thumb for any yoga class, there’s an important reason to arrive early for a Hot Yoga class in particular. With temperatures ranging from the mid-80’s into the low 100’s (with added humidity to boot), your body needs time to acclimate to the heated climate before you start moving.
 
Likewise, it’s advised that you do not leave the hot room during class. Since your body has calibrated itself to the higher temperature, leaving before Savasana can shock your system and cause lightheadedness, dizziness, or nausea.
 
 

9. Always Shower Immediately After Class

This may be a given, but the reason might not be so obvious. When we sweat, our bodies are pulling toxins to the surface of our skin through the pores. If you don’t shower immediately after to rinse off those toxins, they’ll just get absorbed right back into your body, which negates the detoxifying aspect of Hot Yoga!
 
 

10. Maintain a Regular Practice, Including Rest Days

Hot Yoga is an amazing practice with a wide range of benefits. Yet it’s also an intense form of yoga that, just like any other intense form of exercise, works best when we give our bodies the opportunity to rest and restore.
 
It’s recommended to practice 3-4 times a week for consistency and to see results, which means you’ve got at least 2-3 days per week to relax and let your body recover so you can hit the mat feeling strong, healthy, and ready for more!
 

Long Live Hot Yoga!

As hot yogis, we love our hot yoga practice and all that comes with it. Hot Yoga is an excellent way to gain flexibility, increase your strength and endurance, detoxify your body, and enhance your focus.
 
There are many compelling reasons to begin or maintain a consistent Hot Yoga practice. With these 10 hot tips, you can get the most out of your time in the hot room – every time. Namaste!
 

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