Whether you are new to Yoga, Hot Yoga or Destin Hot Yoga, you deserve the best possible yoga experience available.

This guide contains answers to questions and concerns you might have  and great tips to get the most from your practice.

 

BASIC FACTS

All of our teachers are certified by recognized yoga schools. You can be sure that you receive a safe and well informed session EVERY time you come into our studio.

We offer mostly heated classes, since the heat allows for greater flexibility, it minimizes muscle strain, lactic acid build up, reduces the chance of injury, allows for greater cleansing of the body and builds tremendous stamina and endurance.

Our heated room is mirrored to allow for greater body awareness and to refine and deepen postures with easy self-correction.

 

THE DESTIN HOT YOGA ENVIRONMENT

We believe in a positive, supportive environment. We want you to have an amazing experience every time you walk through our doors. You will be encouraged to maximize the alignment in your postures; coached to reap the rewards of good deep breathing; coaxed to find ‘new places’ in your practice. We have benches for you to sit on before and after class, a changing room and a bathroom.

 

 

BEFORE CLASS

Take all of the pressure off of yourself by having no expectations other than enjoying the decision you have made to come to class.

Brand new students will gain the most by arriving a few minutes early to sign in, asking questions, reading this information and relaxing before class begins.

You can always sign up for classes online and even enter your own personal information online before coming to the studio.  Just go to schedule tab on our website at www.destinhotyoga.com. Just following the instructions and you will be all set up.  If you prefer to wait until you arrive at the studio,  we can enter your information for you.

Make sure you drink plenty of water before and after class.

It is best to minimize eating before class to light meals about 2-3 hours before yoga.

If you are attending a morning class and you feel you need to eat, having a light  breakfast – perhaps just non-citrus fruit – might help you.

 

WHAT TO BRING …

Your own yoga mat.

If you do not have your own mat, we will rent you one for $1,  but you will eventually want to own your own (especially when you realize how much we will sweat).

You will need your own LARGE beach towel  or mat size towel to place on your mat. We have mat sized towels available for rent $2 at our studio.

Face towels are complimentary at the studio and are recommended to wipe your brow with during class.

A  water bottle / sports bottle (no glass please). If you would prefer, you can buy water at the studio.  We carry 33.8 oz Smart Water for $3.

Women: wear what you feel comfortable in.  Some women wear gym gear, yoga clothes or even shorts and a tee-shirt.

Men: workout pants or shorts are fine.  Some men prefer to wear shirts, others do not.

 

IF YOU THINK YOU CANNOT DO SOMETHING …

If you are too tired or just need to take a break…

Calm your breath and heart rate at first by standing still, looking at yourself in the mirror and inhaling/exhaling through your nose.

If you sit down then keep your back straight and chest open to assist your breathing.

Always breathe in and out through your nose, mouth closed.

Feel free to stop and rest or lie down on your mat anytime.

This is a yoga class not a competition!

Everyone’s ability in each posture will be different. You are guaranteed to reap the benefits of yoga by doing the best you can in each posture; respond to the instructions, concentrate on alignment and work to your level.

 

AFTER CLASS

Stay in the yoga room for the final relaxation pose (savasana) for as long as you need to warm down and allow your breathing and heart rate to return to normal. This helps to integrate all the great work you have completed in the last 60, 75 or 90 minutes.

You will be given a cool lavender cloth at the end of each hot class.  You can place this on your head, face or neck to cool off.  These towels are infused with lavender essential oil.   If you have any allergies to lavender, feel free to just leave the cloth on the floor.   You can also use these cloths after class to wipe down your yoga mat.

We have a changing room and a bathroom for your convenience as well as some benches so rest before you leave.  Please take your time leaving after class, time to mingle, pick up tips, meet new yogi friends – and enjoy how you feel.

 

THE NEXT FEW DAYS

Reactions the next day are varied. Some students never feel at all stiff, thanks to the beneficial effects of the heat, but should you feel a little stiff  then getting back into the yoga room with the heat and more stretching is the cure. Also try a hot bath or spa.

It’s best to get at least three classes into your first week – your mind will quickly overcome the challenge of the heated room, get to know the postures and you will be ready to yoga!

You will also begin noticing the benefits immediately – the sweat releases toxins from your body and the fresh oxygenated blood that you create will begin to heal and restore your muscles, joints and organs.

Over the next 10 days, your body will acclimatize to exercising in the heated room and you will be noticing great changes in your flexibility, ability to stretch out necks, arms, legs – and your whole attitude will just seem to lighten up several notches.

Friends and family start to notice that ‘yoga glow’ in your skin – without you saying a thing!

And remember – this is your journey, no one else’s – and if this is your first class, the postures may seem strange, and the heat may feel unbearable. Stick with it.

 

It takes about 3 classes to acclimate to the heat and about 10 classes to LOVE IT HOT!