My First Hot Yoga Class is Tonight

I have never done yoga before so I am nervous. Does anyone have any advice? What to expect. what to bring. I appreciate any help.

Thanks

Re: My First Hot Yoga Class is Tonight

bring
- mat & towel to lay on top (if you sweat alot so you don't slip and slide)
- water
- towel for your face

remember to breathe and if you get too hot, either sit down on your mat or take child pose.
Have fun!!
What studio are you going to?

Re: My First Hot Yoga Class is Tonight

what studio are you going to?

i've been practicing for a long time, and even work at a studio.

bring: (much like the pp) mat, large towel, maybe a hand towel to wipe the sweat, water.

-drink plenty of water today. you need to be hydrated both before and after class.
-LISTEN TO YOUR BODY. in your first class, you may not be able to do all the poses. lay down and rest when you need to.
-stay in the room. as tempting as it may be to run out when it gets overwhelming, stay in. this allows the heat to have its full affect on your body.
-let the teacher know of any injuries so they can give you variations of poses to help.
-BREATHE. as my instructors say, "stay breath connected, and unaffected."

i hope you enjoy it, and can't wait to hear how it goes!!

Re: My First Hot Yoga Class is Tonight

I am late to the party!


My biggest piece of advice is to not judge your first class, by your first class.

Most hot yoga studios offer a certain number of free classes for a reason.

You need to go at least 10x IMO to make up your mind if it's for you or not.

I have been practicing for close to two years now and still have plenty of days where I need to sit out.

Can't wait to hear your update on how it went!

Re: My First Hot Yoga Class is Tonight

thanks everyone. I am very anxious right now, both excited and nervous. I have everything you mentioned all ready to go. I am going to Hot Yoga Massapequa on Sunrise Hwy.

I am going with m FIL's gf tonight. And m FIL is watching the kids. However she only wants to go 1x a week. I would prefer to try to go 3x a week (so long as I like it and my body agrees). Since I work days and my Dh works nights, then only other time I can go (bc of sitter issues) will be 6am. Am I nuts to thing this is feasable?

Re: My First Hot Yoga Class is Tonight

HYM is actually my studio!



I go at least 3x a week on average. (Feel like you need to go at least that much to notice a difference in your body).


If I am available the days/time you want to go, I don't mind meeting you if you feel you need a "buddy".

Suzanne I believe should be teaching tonight.

She is a great teacher to have for your first class.

I wasn't able to go tonight cuz DH had to work late.

Probably tomorrow though and most likely again over the weekend, probably Sunday at some point.

ETA: Ugh, just re-read your post and said you can only go at 6AM. Unfortunately, that doesn't jive with my schedule. I think Chris teaches the 6AM class though during the week and he is another awesome teacher. Have fun!

Message edited 9/14/2011 8:18:47 PM.

Re: My First Hot Yoga Class is Tonight

OK I survived!!! I will not lie, I thought it was hard. Actually harder then I was prepared for But I will def be going again.

Renee (I think) taught the class. She was really nice (and tiny, omg she is so tiny LOL). There were times I wanted to run out of the room, but I layed down for a few and re-focused. I was not able to do every pose, but hopefully will with time.

Re: My First Hot Yoga Class is Tonight

Glad you survived!

Renee is a sweetheart.

Yeah, she actually started out as a student when HYM first opened and just got back a few months ago from teacher training.

I am hopefully going tonight if DH gets home from work in time.

I usually sit in the 2nd row right next to the window, have my hair pulled back in a pony-tail and usually have on a headband.

Re: My First Hot Yoga Class is Tonight

Re: My First Hot Yoga Class is Tonight

Re: My First Hot Yoga Class is Tonight

No child pose because it can make you feel even more sick/dizzy. You should not put your head below your heart in the standing series especially (remember, we do this for camel and nasua is quite common). Best to sit on your tush during standing series.

I am surprised your teacher never stopped you from doing child pose?

Re: My First Hot Yoga Class is Tonight

i see how that makes sense. however i do not practice bikram, so maybe that is why i was confused!

Re: My First Hot Yoga Class is Tonight

Re: My First Hot Yoga Class is Tonight

Have you ever tried hot yoga? Or for more than one class?

I have found that people who are the most "critical" are the ones who have never done it, or haven't stuck it out for more than a handful of classes.

I have been going for almost 2 years and have never seen anyone get sick, pass out, have a "seizure" or other myths that tend to be out there about this type of yoga practice.

Probably the ONLY major issue that comes up is related to dehydration, which is why everyone is always encouraged to hydrate from the day before.

Honestly, that can also come up with ANY form of exercise though.

Re: My First Hot Yoga Class is Tonight

Yep. I've done both Bikram and hot Vinyasa. Hot Vinyasa was fine.Temps are kept at about 85-90 degrees. Bikram I just didn't find particularly challenging beyond having to deal with the heat...and man the heat! I've done yoga in India and it wasn't even that hot!

I think it also has to do with your own body chemistry. Some deal with the heat better then others.

As far as I'm concerned, the more people who practice yoga the better the world will be. Bikram just isn't for me

Re: My First Hot Yoga Class is Tonight

Posted by BunnyWife

As far as I'm concerned, the more people who practice yoga the better the world will be. Bikram just isn't for me

Re: My First Hot Yoga Class is Tonight

Re: My First Hot Yoga Class is Tonight

You got YELLED at at HYM? Really?

Re: My First Hot Yoga Class is Tonight

Re: My First Hot Yoga Class is Tonight

Would you be comfortable FMing the teacher?

I know there are a couple, well actually one who comes to mind in particular, who will call people out and put you on the spot.

I've had it done to me before. I don't think that they mean any major harm with it.

I have learned a lot from their corrections.

I do "get" though that not everyone is okay with that, and I also understand that doing yoga in a hot room is not for everyone either.

My MIL actually gave it up because she felt she was wasting her money because she is an older woman with a lot of injuries and felt she was not able to get into most of the poses.

Only reason I get a little defensive sometimes is I have had people make fun of me, or put the style down, who have never actually set foot in a hot room.

Message edited 9/17/2011 2:29:14 PM.

Re: My First Hot Yoga Class is Tonight

Re: My First Hot Yoga Class is Tonight

I am almost positive I know what teacher you are speaking of.

If it is the same one, I have heard people think he is a meanie.

But like you said, you need to go where you feel comfy.

Re: My First Hot Yoga Class is Tonight

I am planning on taking 6am classes. Is there a list anywhere of who teaches which class?

Re: My First Hot Yoga Class is Tonight

I remember someone asking about this once and they said they have a policy that they don't list classes by teacher.

I am not sure why of the exact reasons, I suppose because they don't want to play favorites.