Hot Yoga in the Summertime: Why We Do It and Tips For Success
By Hannah Moran, Marketing Manager, and Yoga Teacher
Hot Yoga in the summertime? We know - it sounds counterintuitive… So many people let their hot yoga practice take a backseat in the summer months because it’s hot outside, or they’re busy out on their paddleboards, soaking up the sun.
But there are actually lots of reasons why it makes good sense to keep your practice strong all summer long!
1. Acclimate more easily to the heat and humidity of the summer months. When you sweat, your body is implementing its built-in self-cooling system. So when you leave the studio in your sweaty state, the outside air feels way cooler than it did inside - refreshing! Plus, if you practice frequently enough, you might notice that you don’t need to turn the A/C on quite as often, and maybe you won’t care quite as much when it’s super hot outside.
2. You’ll be in better shape for all your favorite summertime recreational activities. Whether it’s biking, hiking, running, swimming, beach volleyball, golfing, gardening or really any other physical activity, yoga will help you stay strong and flexible all summer long. You might even notice increased performance in those other activities when you stay dedicated to a frequent yoga practice.
3. You’ll encourage good habits for yourself. With a regular hot yoga practice, you’ll be more mindful about drinking more water and stretching regularly. This is extra important in the summertime when it’s hotter outside, and we’re constantly using our muscles in different ways than we do in the winter months (see #2 above).
4. Take advantage of your slower summer schedule. Many professions tend to slow down in the summertime, especially in this university city of Madison, WI. Take advantage of all that free time by visiting your yoga studio regularly - perhaps even more often than during the school year!
5. Stay relaxed and calm all summer long. Anyone who’s ever practiced hot yoga knows about the calming and mindfulness benefits of a regular practice. Isn’t that “chill” mindset what summertime is all about, after all? Maintaining a dedicated hot yoga practice can help you stay in the true spirit of summertime - relaxed, calm and mindful :)
6. If you’re a die-hard Hot Yogi, then the truth of the matter is - you can’t live without it. This one is perhaps the most important piece of all. A true yogi doesn’t really take time off from their yoga practice. For some of us, it’s hard to even go one day let alone a whole season without a sweaty visit to those delicious hot rooms. 🔥Not only will you feel great because of reasons 1-5 above, but when the fall season comes around and you feel that fresh start coming on, it won’t be such a shock to your system. You’ll already be in-shape and fully acclimated to the hot rooms.
So stick with it, Yogis! Don’t let your practice take a dive this summer - keep at it, dedicate yourself to your yoga practice, and you’ll feel healthy and strong all summer long. 😎
Here are a few tips for success as you work on keeping your yoga practice strong this summer:
Drink TONS of water before every class. Best practice is about 1 to 1.5 liters within 12 hours of your class, but not less than 2 hours before class starts. It will make a huge difference in how much energy you have while you’re practicing, plus it’ll prevent the desire to guzzle water in the middle of class - this can cause stomach cramping and distract you from your zen state.
Replenish electrolytes. Water isn’t the only thing that leaves your system when you sweat. Increase your intake of salt, potassium, calcium and other minerals to prevent dizziness, headaches and fatigue after a super sweaty class.
Eat right. Get out in your garden or head to the farmers market to take advantage of the bountiful fruits and veggies that peak in the summertime. Portions and timing are also key. Try a high-protein snack 1-2 hours before your class - a handful of nuts will do the trick. After class, try to get a good meal in that contains lots of protein and carbs.
Listen to your body. We say this all the time in yoga - during the hotter months it’s even more important that you take breaks if you’re feeling dizzy or light-headed. Take a knee , come to a child's pose, or lay down in a savasana. We all have an “edge” that shifts day-to-day. Listen to your intuition and know when there’s a risk of pushing too far and causing an injury. No one wants a torn hamstring in the summertime! Just enjoy wherever you’re at that day, challenge yourself when it’s appropriate to do so, and forgive yourself if and when you feel you’ve fallen short.
Invest in a yoga mat towel. It’s hard enough to hold your body in a wide-legged forward fold or triangle pose without also slipping and sliding in a pool of your own sweat. At Inner Fire Yoga, we sell Yogitoes and Nomadix sweat towels at both studios. Check out our inventory before your next class! (Don’t forget - Members get 10% off!)
See you in the hot rooms, yogis!
Hannah
