So You’re Coming to Hot Yoga for the First Time?

So, you finally did it … you signed up for a hot yoga class.
Maybe you were talked into it by a friend. Maybe you’ve been scrolling through Instagram thinking, “I could totally do that.” Or maybe, let’s be honest, life’s been a bit of a mess and you just needed to try something.

Either way, welcome. You made it. And you’re probably wondering what you just got yourself into.

Let’s start with the obvious. It’s hot. Really hot.

Not “beach day” hot. Not “Idaho summer” hot. I’m talking about the kind of heat that makes you question your choices about seven minutes into class while also realizing you’re sweating from places you didn’t even know had pores.

But don’t panic… that’s the point.
The heat helps your muscles move safely, supports flexibility, and teaches you how to breathe through intensity instead of running from it. It’s not about surviving the room; it’s about learning to stay with yourself when things get uncomfortable.

And that’s kind of yoga in a nutshell.

Here’s what you need to know before you come:

Bring water. Like, as much as you want. Hydrate before, during, and after class. You can’t out-sweat dehydration. (smaller sips in class are usually better than guzzling)

Bring a mat and a towel. A big one that covers your mat works great, and trust me, you’ll want it. If you forget, we’ve got rentals at the studio. 

Wear comfortable, breathable clothes. Doesn’t have to be fancy, but you’ll want to make sure you can move around freely…and can breathe. (I’ve worn some of those sports bras that squeeze too hard.  Even if it looks good, I’d definitely rather be able to breathe.)

Come early. Give yourself a few minutes to breathe, get ready, set up your mat, and settle in. New things feel easier when you’re not rushing through the door. The studio is open approximately 30 minutes before classes.

Don’t compare yourself. Everyone in that room was new once. No one’s looking at you, even though we think everyone sees us,  I promise, they’re all busy doing their yoga practice on their mat.  Breathing, moving, listening to the teacher, and just trying to do their best. 

 

What to expect in class:

The room will be warm before you even start moving, so you might think, “There’s no way I can do this.” But then the teacher starts guiding you — breathe, move, pause …and something happens. You start to realize you can.

It won’t be perfect. (and that’s never expected) You might miss a few postures, take more breaks than you expected, be confused, and maybe even lie there thinking, “What kind of monster signed me up for this?” (It was you, by the way, and if it was a friend, they did it because they love you!)

And then, somewhere in the middle of all that sweat and chaos, you’ll find it … that quiet moment when your brain finally shuts up. Your body moves, your breath slows, and for the first time all week, you feel a little more like yourself again.

That’s the magic part.

After class:

You’ll walk out drenched, proud, and maybe a little disoriented. You’ll tell yourself you’re never doing that again. And then, a few days later, you’ll catch yourself thinking about it … that weird peace at the end, that sense of accomplishment, that tiny spark of something.

And that’s how it starts.

You don’t need to be flexible. You don’t need to know the poses. You just need to show up.

Every person in that room is working through something…physically, mentally, emotionally. Hot yoga just gives us a space to move through it together.

So take the pressure off yourself. You’re not here to impress anyone. You’re here to breathe, to sweat, to let go, and maybe to surprise yourself.

And when you’re lying in Savasana at the end, drenched, exhausted, and completely still, you might just realize that this whole “yoga thing” isn’t about touching your toes at all.
It’s about feeling the parts of yourself you’ve been too busy to notice.

Welcome to hot yoga.
You’re going to be just fine.
Actually, you’ll be better than fine, just give it time. 

Feel free to check out our different types of classes.   Rather hit a beach with us?  Or come do both, join us on retreat. Authentic Yoga Retreats.