Considering hot yoga?

If anyone has attempted to do yoga before, you are well aware that it offers an extremely challenging workout. A few months back my girlfriend Lily and I started practicing hot yoga. It has been an experience unlike anything I have been familiar with.

The place we started at was Hot Yoga Inc. in Federal Way. Although the place is only a small little studio, the teaching is superb. The standard class closely models Bikram Yoga - in which each class consists of a more-or-less set series of postures and breathing exercises. The heat also matches Bikram's instructions - 105 degrees at 40% humidity. However, the studio differs from traditional Bikram in the lack of a carpeted floor.

Each of the instructors was clearly an expert in technique. But more importantly, a few exceptional instructors were keenly focused on having on our mental, physical, and spiritual selves in alignment.

The heat and humidity of the room is enough to make you sweat, and you definitely begin pouring once the postures beg

in. This is as much a process of cleansing any bad elements from your body as it is a physical workout.

Since moving to Chicago, we have been on the hunt for a good hot yoga place. Unfortunately, many of the studios do not offer Bikram Yoga (or something close to it), which has been our personal favorite. Generally there is some combination of Bikram postures with more power or aerobic exercises. Vinyasa (Flow) Yoga seems to be more common out here. Currently I am trying out the yoga classes at Lifetime Fitness. They offer hot yoga twice a week, but the heat and humidity do not compare to what we had back in Washington State. Meanwhile, Lily continues to search for a studio more satisfactory to our tastes. She may be doing work-study at The Chicago School of Hot Yoga. I will post an update on that if/when it happens.

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For those who are interested in trying out yoga, I highly recommend it. Most websites will have a section for first time students and/or frequently asked questions.

Because meditation is a large part of yoga, etiquette is extremely important when taking group

classes. Here are some of the most important ones:

1. Arrive before class. Like all things in life, being punctual is a good thing. However, with yoga it is even more important as the beginning of class is used for clearing the mind and relaxing (generally through breathing exercises). If you come in late you will disrupt this peace. Some places may not even let you in.
2. Check to make sure there isn't still a class in the studio. The end of a class, just like the beginning, incorporates breathing exercises to help facilitate meditation and allow people to let their negative thoughts completely drift away before coming back to reality. Stumbling in before a class ends might snap them back to reality before they are ready and put them in a bad mood (which they might direct towards you...)
3. Be quiet during class, but ask for help (quietly) if you need it. Talking (i.e. chit-chat) is generally not permitted during class because it would be a distraction to others. That said, if you are not sure that you are doing a position correct - or if something hurts more than you think it should - ask the instructor for help. It is better for you to have someone show you the proper way to do something in order to get the most out of your time and avoid injuring yourself.
4. Don't go to class wearing any scented products. Perfumes, colognes, and oils that have strong smells can also be a distraction to everyone around you. Sometimes the high humidity and heat can amplify certain smells. It's best to simply use an unscented or light-scented deodorant.
   
5. Bring a towel (or two). If you are doing hot yoga with Bikram's heat specifications then you will want a towel to cover your mat and probably a small towel for your face. You will sweat a lot in the class so it is best to have a cover for your mat, unless you want to wash it every time. If you shower at the studio you might consider another towel since the mat cover will be drenched by the time you are done. So far, the hot yoga in Chicago has not been hot enough to really necessitate a towel. But if the class is set at 105 degrees and 40% humidity you will definitely regret not having one.

You have many reasons to start practicing hot yoga, the most important being to join the ranks of the Schwarzeneggers.