It’s not unusual to feel, nauseous, dizzy or out of breath during your first class, these feelings will subside as you continue to practice. One of the main reasons for feeling unwell is dehydration.
So, you will need to make sure you drink plenty of water before and after class to replenish all that you sweat out.
- Your body needs fuel to have a good class!
Class is best done 2 to 3 hours after eating.
If you are coming to a morning or noon class, please make sure you eat breakfast.
If you are coming to an evening class, please make sure you eat lunch.
A small quantity of simple, easily digestible food is recommended for the meal prior to class.
Practising in the heat has many benefits. The ideal temperature for Bikram hot yoga is 40° Celsius with about 40% humidity. For Hot Vinyasa Flow it is 36° Celsius. The room is kept at these temperatures to protect the muscles and allow deeper stretching. This thins the blood and clears the circulatory system. It also increases your heart rate, giving you a cardiovascular workout without even having to leave your mat!
You may feel tired. This is absolutely normal and a good sign that your body is cleansing. Your energy levels should be restored to normal after several classes. Remember to drink plenty of water, eat well and rest. The next day you may feel a little stiff or sore. Come back to class as soon as possible. You have started the process of reawakening muscles you may not have used for years. The more often you practice, the easier the class becomes although, if you are working to your edge, it’s always a challenge.