Hot Yoga Class

This morning I took my first Bikram yoga class and it was wonderful!!  I left feeling detoxified and lively.  The class was called Hot 26 and was very appropriately named.  The room is heated to 105F and the sequence is 26 asana  selected and developed by Bikram Choudhury.  The Hot 26 class that I took part in started off with an inspirational reading from the instructor and began and ended with two different breathing exercises.  I was sweating within the first five minutes, dripping after 15, and drenched within a half hour.  I am normally not someone who would do well in heat and was a little nervous to try the class because of it, to my surprise the heat was not overwhelming and the sweating didn't bother me.  The class I took was 90 minutes, and it is recommended that you attend on an empty stomach (try not to eat within 3 hours of class) and be fully hydrated.  You will need a towel for your yoga mat, and also a wash cloth will help in some asana where you will be holding onto your feet, legs, or parts of your body.  Clothing that people had on in class were sports tops, sports bras, tank tops, spandex yoga shorts, or yoga capris, the men had on bathing suit shorts or gym shorts and a tank top.  Yoga long pants and a shirt with sleeves may be uncomfortable for these hot classes.  Other things to bring with you are lots of water, a change of clothes for after class, and of course your mat.  Some of the asana or alignments in this style of yoga may be different then other styles of yoga you are used to, but don't get discouraged or frustrated- it is the diversity in yoga that has made it into the large and beautiful community it is today.  There will always be a yoga class for someone to enjoy whether it is a guided meditation, in a room set to 105F, or at a gym.  I hope this post helps anyone who is curious about hot yoga and encourages you to try it.  Jersey Shore Hot Yoga has a $25 unlimited week for new students and you can try out all different classes by them (it will pay for itself by the second class!).
Light & Love