What to Know Before Your First Heated Yoga Class
Published: Jan 09, 2020
Stay warm this winter with heated yoga!
Whether you’ve been practicing yoga for years or you are a beginner student, heated yoga will take your practice to the next level. Yoga is considered heated or hot when the room temperature ranges between 80 – 100 degrees F.
What are the benefits of heated yoga?
Practicing in warmer temperatures is proven to improve flexibility. The heat will loosen up your muscles, increasing your range of motion and allowing for deeper and easier stretches.
Heated yoga combines the yoga poses you love but with a fiery twist. Notice the difference in your body as you perform chair pose in a traditional class versus a heated yoga class; the heat quickens your heart rate and adds a new dimension of cardiovascular burn. It is also shown to burn 2x more calories than a traditional yoga class.
Sweat now, shine later! Sweat nourishes the skin, opens pores, and helps heal wounds.
As in all disciplines of yoga, a heated class requires you to focus on your breath. This increased breathwork has been shown to soothe your mind, improve your mood, and even reduce symptoms of depression.
How can I prepare for my first class?
If you’re planning to take a heated yoga class for the first time, it’s important to stay hydrated. Drink plenty of water before, during, and after class. If you know you will be taking a heated yoga class on Friday, start drinking water and fueling with electrolytes on Thursday to prepare.
Avoid eating two hours before class. This will give your body adequate time to digest.
Spoiler alert: you’re going to sweat. Be sure to wear breathable clothing. If you are concerned about sweating through your clothes, wear dark colors to hide the glow. You should also be sure to bring a towel (or multiple) to place over your yoga mat as it will get slippery. We offer complimentary towels at acac for your workout—stop by the fitness desk to stock up before class!
Talk to your doctor if you have a medical condition that may contribute to dizziness, fainting, or light headedness.
Lastly, the most important thing to do is listen to your body. Be careful not to overdo it, focus on your breath, and stay hydrated.
What heated yoga classes are offered at acac?
Class availability varies by club, but here are a few classes to try:
- Power Sculpt: our signature Power Sculpt class is a mindful integration of heated vinyasa, free weights, and cardio intervals set to high energy music to build strength, stability, and stamina.
- Vinyasa Yoga Power: a more vigorous approach to Vinyasa. Appropriate for intermediate and advanced practitioners, the instructor will lead participants through postures focused on core-strength, arm-balancing, and inversions. Level II/III.
- Warm Yin Yoga: a more passive Hatha yoga style that focuses on breath awareness, flexibility, balance and strength, offered in a warm environment. Yin is suitable for almost all fitness levels. It is a great compliment to more dynamic (yang) styles of yoga and other exercise formats. Room will be warmed to 75-80 degrees.
Visit our website to find a class near you!