Don’t let the heat discourage you from this type of yoga. Whether its Bikram or Moksha, hot yoga is a fitness trend that’s here to stay and it’s worth a try (or two).

I’m not going to sugar coat it, during and after my first Bikram yoga class I felt awful. I barely made it through the first few poses before having to sit down for most of the class. I left feeling embarrassed and slightly defeated. How could yoga do this to me?

So a few years later I decided to give hot yoga another try. I now realize that my horrible experience was directly connected to how out of shape and dehydrated I was because my next try felt much better and now I’m hooked.

Here’s what you need to know before hitting your first (or second) hot yoga class:

What you should bring:

- yoga mat
- 2 large towels (one for the class and one for a shower afterwards)
- large bottle of water
- bathing suit, shorts and tank top or anything made of a light material that doesn’t limit your range of motion

Before your first hot yoga class:

- drink water
- arrive early to acclimatize yourself to the yoga room
- don’t eat 3 hours beforehand

After your first class:

- drink lots of water

Health benefits of hot yoga

- better circulation
- helps combat depression
- sweating releases toxins
- increases your level of cardio fitness

Hot yoga isn’t for everyone

- this might be obvious but it’s hot, so if you don’t enjoy sweating or being really hot this might not be the style of yoga for you
- Bikram yoga teacher, Marina Jankovic recommends not trying Bikram yoga for the first time while pregnant especially during your first trimester
- consult your physician beforehand if you have any health issues