Hot Yoga 101!!

Bikram Yoga is incredible; it's the answer to my prayers. When you spend 90 minutes in a 105 degree room, everything becomes clear. It's a remarkable phenomenon. The exercise aspect is secondary to the emotional healing. You must give it a try! :) Lucky for me, I have access to the most wonderful hot yoga studio in the world. If you live in MD, come to Bikram Yoga in Rockville. The yogis are lovely, extremely helpful, supportive, & great inspirations for growing yogis like myself. I hope to see you there! 

SO, how does one prepare for hot yoga you ask? Let me fill you in! :) In order to do it right, there are a few things you should remember. 

1. First, STAY HYDRATED!!!!!!!!! Drink at least 1 oz. of water per 2 lbs. of body weight everyday. This will keep you constantly hydrated. On class day, drink an extra liter of water but lighten up on your water consumption about 3 hours before class. You wouldn't want to rush to the bathroom during savasana! Be sure to bring a huge bottle of water into class with you. Don't drink too much though or it'll sit uncomfortably in your tummy. Take sips!!
2. Second, eat properly BEFORE hot yoga!!!! Don't eat anything dense/heavy at least 3 to 4 hours before class. Coming to class on any empty stomach is what you want. BUT if you must eat a little something during this waiting period, have something light like a banana with a few almonds or a protein bar. :)  
3. Third, eat properly AFTER hot yoga!!!!!! Try to have a lighter meal like a salad or an egg-white omelette with veggies. Stay away from copious amounts of meat. In the days following, lean toward foods/beverages high in potassium such as bananas or coconut water to replace the electrolytes you lost during class. 
4. Fourth, remember you're there to HAVE FUN!!!! You must not forget why you chose to take hot yoga in the first place. Don't let all these preparation tips scare you off. Let the experienced yogis help you! :) Come to class with your yoga mat, your water, a BIG towel or 2 or 3 (HAHA!), & an open mind. We'll help you with everything else. And don't hesitate to ask your yogi peers about anything you're unsure about. They're there to guide you! 

That wasn't so bad, was it? :) If you take these tips into account, I guarantee your next hot yoga class will be magical!!! 

As for those Naked juices, I'm still researching as to whether they're truly healthy or not. Let's hope they are! :) 

Well believe it or not, I'm getting ready for hot yoga class at 4! It's been a few days since my last class; I've had too many papers for english. I've only got one left then I'll be just about finished with this english course which means more college credits under my belt. YES!!!!! :D Until next time, read this over & give hot yoga a consideration. I promise you will love it! 

~Allie 

p.s. look out for a post tomorrow with some super delish recipes for you to try. YUM!!!! :) And feel free to check out my boards on pinterest! If you type my name, "Allie Brown", you should be able to find me. If not, let me know!