If you have done Bikram "hot" yoga, do you have any advice for a beginner?

Question

I went to my first class last night, and I am feeling really out of it today. I don't know if this is normal or if I'm just dehydrated.

Answer 1

Don't overdo it in your first classes - think of yourself as being a kindergartener, and only do the each position up until your body resists, then slow down and breathe into the position a tiny bit deeper. The point isn't to end up looking like all the pros in class on your first night, the point is to have your body really get to the point where it can stretch and be strong enough to do the asanas correctly. Yoga is about where you are 'now'.

Second - drink 64 oz more than your normal water intake. You will become very dehydrated if you don't add more water to the amount you drink regularly.

Third - you are moving about lots of toxins that are stored in your body. They have been dormant for months and years. This will cause you to feel nauseous and ill. This is another reason to drink more water - to flush them out of your system.

Last - Go back! The only way it's going to get easier is to keep doing it. It feels great to try and improve your practice, especially when you begin to notice that you are doing better than last class, when you notice that your body is changing - it looks better, it is stronger, you have more flexibility and you feel amazing inside and out.