How to Survive Your First Hot Yoga Experience: What the Diehards Won’t Tell You

As a young, twenty-something female, I have many girlfriends who practice hot yoga. Being someone who generally avoids the gym (at my own expense), I was used to dismissing it as nothing more than a glorified stretch in a sauna. I’m not going to lie – hot yoga never really seemed like it would be my cup of tea, despite the glowing reviews.

In December 2010, however, my attitude changed slightly. I was stressed out from schoolwork and suffering from a lack of physical activity. My doctor recommended I try hot yoga. I made a promise to myself that I’d give it a go. After all, it couldn’t be that hard, right? After receiving positive encouragement from those who swore by their practice, I was sold. So, off I went with a brave friend to test my luck in a Moksha class for a scorching 60 minutes.

After paying close to a whopping 20 dollars for the session and a rental mat, I found myself alone with my thoughts in a room full of heavy-breathing strangers. Instead of feeling relaxed, I suddenly became anxious. I started to worry that I couldn’t handle the intense heat, let alone do any of the poses to save my life. Once the instructor entered the room and started dictating movements I couldn’t understand, my worst fears were confirmed. To get through the hour of grueling pain, I adopted a motto commonly chanted by our old friend Thomas the Tank Engine: “I think I can, I think I can, I think I can…”

Although I was not what you’d call a hot yoga “natural”, I survived. I got through it, and felt pretty damn good afterwards. To be honest, I thought I knew what I was getting myself into – but I had no idea. That’s why I’ve compiled a short list of tips that will help you survive your first hot yoga experience (and actually have the desire to go back for more).

1) Bring a towel to place at the top of your yoga mat

This seemed like a no-brainer to everyone in the room – except me. After slipping and nearly falling flat on my face during several downward dog flows, I realized that placing a small towel underneath my hands would have made my life 100% better. I haven’t forgotten one since.

2) Wear minimal clothing – and make sure it fits!

My friends told me it would be okay to wear pants, which was true. What I should have known, however, is that sporting a baggy t-shirt in a hot yoga studio is essentially suicide. Make sure you wear something form fitting (like a Lululemon workout top) so that you’re not distracted by the possibility of your shirt flying up over your head every two seconds.

3) Show up super early

My yoga studio’s website warned me to show up at least 15 minutes before the class’ designated start time, but I found that it’s worth it to arrive even earlier. Especially when you’re registering for the first time, you don’t want to be stuck beside the heater in the back of the room simply because there was a lineup you didn’t anticipate. Trust me, these classes fill up fast – and it’s never fun to pump yourself up for a session only to be turned away. I always show up with 20-25 minutes to spare.

4) Wear a headband

Personally, I think this applies to all females (and guys, too!) I wear a Lululemon headband to keep my hair back in a ponytail and out of my face. If you have short hair, you’ll probably need one, too. Anyone who has bangs will definitely be thankful that they brought one. If you feel like a headband isn’t “macho” enough (I’m talking to all the male yogis out there), then opt for a sweatband instead.

5) Go with a friend

The best piece of advice I can give you is to not go to your first yoga class solo. Unless you’re familiar with the poses or enjoy being in a confined, overheated space that’s jam-packed with bodies, you’ll need somebody there with you for moral support. Having a buddy in my first class made the experience much more bearable, and also helped motivate me to get there in the first place. It’s scary doing something new by yourself when you don’t know what to expect! Getting in trouble for whispering and giggling is also a lot more fun when you have company (yeah, I’d also suggest that you don’t do either of those things in the studio… whoops).

Well, there you have it, folks. Hopefully you can learn from my mistakes! All jokes aside, hot yoga is definitely something that I think everyone should try at least once in their life.

The key to enjoying your time in the hot studio is to go in without any expectations. Of course I was a disaster when I first attempted a downward dog flow. The point of hot yoga is to let go of all the thoughts that have gnawed at you all day, and focus on self-improvement. I’ve only been to a handful of classes, but I can feel it getting easier already. After each session, I leave feeling a sense of accomplishment and I’m always proud for pushing myself a little further than the previous time.

Hot yoga has made me feel stronger, happier, and less stressed. All the suffering that takes place in that heated room is worth it in the end (or at least that’s what I tell myself as I sweat it out for the longest 60 minutes of my life…)

ENJOY!

(Guest Post by Erin MacFarlane)