Lets get you started...

Hot Yoga is currently a hot topic (Excuse the pun).  But chances are if you haven’t done Hot Yoga before it can be confusing for us. And often difficult to know what is involved. Sometimes we mix up hot yoga with other styles such as Bikram. Or maybe you may be asking yourself is this something a newbie can try?  How do the styles differ? What is the temperature of the room? And at this point maybe you’ve talked yourself out of it...

Well we are here to answer all the questions and help you feel more at ease when joining. Check out our timetable now operating in the convenient location of Rathmines. 

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So what is this 'hot yoga' we speak of?

Well, put simply, it's just yoga in a heated room approx 30°

How long does a HOT YOGA class last?

Yoga Dublin’s classes are all one hour long. And for those who like a bit of flexibility (oh another pun), we've got three types of classes

• strong and dynamic vinyasa class

• slower flows, designed to allow you to go deeper and deeper into a selected series of postures.

• Warm Yin, this class is not a hot class but rather the room is warm at about 25°. As a regular yin class you make your way through only 6-10 poses in the duration of the 60 min.

Amazing. So now it’s time to get started and here are some things we think you will want to know. This is a how to prepare beforehand and how to for recover afterwards.

Before a HOT YOGA class:

• Hydrate - drink a lot of water throughout the day; you're going to sweat A LOT so your body will need more fluids than it normally would in a different type of exercise class. 

• Watch what you eat - we recommend that you allow 2 hours between eating a light snack or 4 hours between eating a heavy meal and taking a hot yoga class. 

• Have an open mind, strip away any expectations you carry of yourself. That one's important.

Afterwards, when you HAVE survived and feel amazing:

• Doing hot yoga requires a bit of adjustment; take a few moments after class to re-connect before re-joining the hustle bustle of the city.

• Hydration after class is just as important. The water you consumed before class was most likely was sweated out during class, but think of all those cleared toxins!

• Fuel your body with food!

Is there anyone who should avoid hot yoga?

It really is for anyone and everyone; we encourage everyone to give it a try!

** Unless you have any predisposed heart conditions or currently pregnant with no previous hot yoga experience. Please always talk to your teacher beforehand they are happy to help.

So what are we doing in this hot room, how does it differentiate from other styles of yoga?

No yoga class is ever really the same (except for Bikram yoga where the same 26 postures are practiced in the same sequence at every class).

Each yoga class is unique to the teacher and their style of teaching (and sometimes their mood that day). A good teacher makes all the difference!

The difference with hot yoga is the heat - the heat allows your muscles to warm up quicker allowing you to get deeper into poses - getting a bigger stretch. The added heat makes it more challenging. 

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So is it normal to feel faint at first? Is there anything else we should expect?

Expect to sweat. Expect to have fun! 

Everybody handles the heat differently, it does take some people longer to adjust to the higher temperatures; it wouldn't be that normal to feel faint but that's not to say it never happens. Hot Yoga teaches us to listen to our bodies. If the heat's too much and you feel faint or lightheaded take time out in child's pose/balasana (remember, that's what it's there for) Lastly, don't feel compelled to do what the rest of the class is doing. 

Is it possible to ease in gently?

Almost everything is hard the first time but after a bit of practice you'll really start to notice your improvement. Stay inspired by small shifts you see in classes and in the end you'll benefit from big results. 

What are the benefits of hot yoga?

We could write a list as long as we could rest in shavasana but here are a few:

• Builds strength and endurance

• Enhances physical performance 

• Increases flexibility

• Improves posture and strengthens the back 

• Strengthens your heart

• Creates longer leaner muscles

• Speeds up metabolism and curbs your cravings for unhealthy foods 

• Enhances your balance

• Strengthens your mind

• Heals/ prevents injury/ chronic pain

• Reduces stress and anxiety

• Improves mental clarity 

• Helps you sleep deeply

• Expands your lung capacity and breathing control

• Gives you more energy

• Confidence booster 

• Enhanced skin tone  

Can you try hot yoga if you haven't really done much of any yoga before?

Absolutely. Hot Yoga is open to all levels of ability - those completely new to yoga and those who have been practicing for years. Do what you can and don't push yourself beyond your limits ... the trick is to listen to your body. It's not a competition. What is important is that you develop a practice that is safe, sustainable and feels good your body. 

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