Wake up, breakfast, school, practice, homework, dinner, sleep, repeat. For years, practice was volleyball, basketball, track, flag football, softball, tennis, soccer or any sport my parents would drive me to. Exercise was implemented into daily routine without realizing it. 

In college, finding a consistent routine was more challenging – why work out when I could go to a party? As a working professional, it’s even more of a hassle to get up and go to the gym. Why run when I need extra sleep so much more?

So, I began a journey to flip the script. I want to find activities so fun they don’t feel like exercise. Something to look forward to – not an obligation to fill Apple Watch rings or post on Strava.

Without further ado, let’s begin the “trying new things” series with what prompted this journey – hot yoga.

What is it?

Hot yoga is similar in principle to the traditional practice of combining meditation with movement. The poses and flows are just done in a heated room, so it requires more exertion. 

There’s value in the serenity and mind-body connection that comes with yoga, but in the past, yoga classes did not make me feel like I really worked out. I cannot say the same about hot yoga. The classes range from 90℉ – 105℉ with varying levels of difficulty. Sometimes I’m leaving toasty, and others, I may as well have jumped in a pool (no, I’m not exaggerating)!

Often, there are options for calmer classes, more intensive flows or strengthening sessions involving weights. Different instructors at one studio may provide a more tailored approach to what you want to get out of the experience, so it’s worth trying a few classes.

Beginner friendly?

A cautionary yes. The beautiful thing about yoga is that there is no pressure to do exactly what the instructor says. Modify poses, take a drink of water and a breath when you need it. There’s no shame in a quick child’s pose before jumping back in. 

The biggest adaptation I had to make that helped me feel significantly more comfortable is drinking water before feeling thirsty. Getting ahead of the curve and constantly having sips of water during class and the hours leading up helped immensely.

Insight & Impression

I absolutely love hot yoga now and try to go three times per week. What has made me commit to the membership (ranging from around $70-$150 per month) is the addictive feeling I get when I go consistently. I look forward to it – it’s difficult, rewarding and I get in a good workout without touching the dreaded treadmill. I have even started to notice a tightness in my muscles when I don’t go. Plus, someone mentioned my arms are looking toned. Bonus!

A big step for me was to lose the competitive edge I have always had. Understanding that some days I’ll need more rest and other days I can push harder. On days when it is harder, understanding that no one around me is watching what I am doing. I certainly am not judging my neighbor about his or her “warrior three.” Focusing on what I can do to be better rather than everyone else around me has given me a level of independence that I didn’t know I needed to gain.

A completely unforeseen benefit is an ability to actively listen. Initially, I found it challenging to flow through unfamiliar positions at the pace the instructor is cuing, but becoming familiar with the movements allows me to really listen to the instructor.

I am embarrassed to admit this, but I have always been a chronic mouth-breather. Ujjayi (ooh-JAI-yee) is a strategy to regulate breathing. This involves breathing in through the nose, then constricting the throat and exhaling through the nose while making an audible sound. It took a lot of practice to understand what exactly that meant, but now I regularly notice myself breathing entirely through my nose. I have heard through reliable sources (TikTok) that is what experts recommend.

Did I feel like I was working out?

I genuinely look forward to my hot yoga classes and enjoy myself while I am in them. I do, however, have to drive to the studio and get ready in a similar capacity to going to a gym. Due to this routine and the lack of socialization during class to help distract, I can’t quite say this activity does not feel like working out.

If you like to sweat, I encourage you to give hot yoga a trial run. If this activity isn’t your speed, don’t fret. I will continue trying new activities every month so you don’t have to. Follow along and see which activities are worth a try for your personal health goals, so you can work out without feeling like you’re working out!