There's nothing like a hot yoga class.

If you've been, you know what we're talking about. It seems a little intimidating but it's the perfect choice for beginners and experts alike. We paneled our experts on your behalf and asked our guests on Facebook. Here are some must-knows for the sweaty and rejuvenating experience ahead. (Many yogis had similar suggestions so we know they're good. We expect you may have a few tips of your own to add.)

your gear

"Wear tighter fitting, breathable clothing. Baggy clothes will get heavy and uncomfortable. Guys , go shirtless." – Matt, Joe, Colin and Niamh

"Wear a headband. If you don’t need to worry about brushing the hair out of your eyes, you can focus more on your poses." - Carolyn

"Take your mat, a towel, and water. You’re going to sweat it out, so replenishing your fluids is important. If you’re a heavy sweater, bring two towels – one for your mat and one for you. Sound like a lot of baggage? Most studios provide mats and water for a small fee." – Sarah-Kate

before class

"Hydrate well in advance. I find that I feel the best when I've had plenty of water the day before I hit the studio. - Andrea

"Rinse your hair and face. No one wants goopy hair product (or make-up) running down their face. - Joe

"Eat a snack an hour before class and keep yourself hydrated. A piece of fruit can help keep your energy up during class without weighing you down and drinking plenty of water beforehand can prevent that gurgly feeling in your stomach during the class." – Carolyn, Joe, and Lina

"Take a buddy. You’ll be more motivated to go and have more fun during class if you have a friend there to support you." - Margaret

during class

"Position yourself near the door. It tends to be a little cooler." - Joe

"Breathe deeply. Deeper breathing equals stronger poses."  - Matt

"Try not to fidget. It's easy to get distracted but your class will be way more rewarding if you focus on your breathing and not that sweat bead tickling its way down your neck." - Margaret and Elissa

"Listen to your body– it will tell you what it needs. It's normal to feel a little dizzy. Anytime you start to get the spins (or feel a wave of nausea), lie down on your mat." – Jenna and Lina

"Go easy. A hot class is similar to a marathon - it's a big endeavour and you'll want to pace yourself." - Sarah-Kate

after class

"Give yourself time after class to enjoy your much-deserved shower. Nothing is better after a hot class than a lukewarm shower with Dr. Bronner's peppermint soap. It's the ultimate in refreshment." - Elissa

"Refuel. Everyone has their post-class ritual. Mine is coconut water. It replenishes fluids and electrolytes." - Alana

Thank you Pat for the great outtakes from the shoot!

tips from our guests

Sibina recommends taking small sips of water instead of big gulps. She adds Emergen-C to her water to get her vitamins and electrolytes without the added sugar.

Alexandra reminds everyone that classes are often taught at mixed levels so it’s important to not expect yourself to do advanced postures right off the bat. “It took me a while of feeling less capable until I had this realization. Love it!”

Kristina’s words really resonated. “Keep your focus inward and remember yoga is about personal growth and not trying to do the pose the same way your neighbor can. You may never touch your toes but you may get closer and know that is enough.”

Jen recommends getting in the room at least five minutes early to get used to breathing in the heat and humidity.

Rachel says to leave your ego at the door. “Be compassionate with yourself and don’t try to be a hero.”

And finally, our favourite tip from Gus.

“Definitely put a towel under your back. I made the mistake of not having a towel in my sweaty hot yoga class and the suction of my lower back and the mat created a super loud and natural sounding fart noise. I'm known as the farter now in class I'm sure. ha ha.”

want more?

• Learn more about yoga in general on our Yoga 101 page.
• Check out our latest hot yoga offerings for women. We've got all
• Join the coconut water discussion. The blog's got people talking.
• Get all our guests' tips from our Facebook post.

If you're sitting on the fence, just go to a class! (Do one thing each day that scares you, right?)  You'll leave feeling challenged and energized. Who doesn't need that?

you asked

I’ve been doing a lot of hot yoga lately and my question is about water breaks during class. Is it ok to just take a sip of water whenever I need it? Or am I required to wait until the teacher suggests it? - Serious Sipper

a yogi answers

Well hello there, Serious Sipper!

I always say that preparation is key for any kind of hot yoga. So, when possible, drink plenty of water before class (stopping an hour prior so you don’t need to go during). This way you won’t feel the need to drink so much when you’re practicing. And then of course, replenish your fluids after.

The less you drink during the class, the less it will sit there in your belly until it’s ready to digest. Drinking water during class is also said to disrupt prana flow and subtle energies so that may be something you want to keep in mind.

Ultimately, however, listen to your body. Drink consciously – not just because you’ve become distracted or think that you should. And if you need to take a sip other than the times the teacher suggests – do it and don’t feel guilty.

Happy hydrating!

Kate

meet kate

Kate Kendall is an ambassador at lululemon Bondi in Australia. Her website is at http://thenectar.com.au/wp/.

My name is Lesia (say it 'Lasha') and I'm the email specialist here at the lululemon Store Support Centre. I'm from Toronto, ON originally and have lived in London, UK, Santa Monica CA and now call Vancouver BC my home. I have 4 younger sisters, 1 daughter, and I'm married to a cool dude who is an 3D animator and fast runner. Here are a few of the things I love:

Yoga move: Tie between pigeon and dancer’s pose (love the stretch)

Workout accessory: The Mat – best yoga mat ever!

Magazine(s): Elle Collections, Lula, Dwell & I just downloaded the Vogue UK for the iPad, I’ll let you know how that plays out…

Clothes to sweat in: I’m equally in love with our always flattering, ever functional Wunder Unders + The Everywhere Yoga Jacket. They both rule and I could not live without them.

Activity: Hot yoga!

Tech gadget: Hands down my iPhone. I’m not sure how I ever lived without it.

Favourite app.: Luxe City Guides (the ultimate travel guides now on your iPhone - yes!) and How to Cook Everything (A girl’s got to eat and this is the best foodie app I’ve come across – Jamie Oliver has a pretty good one too.)

Place to run: Holland Park, London UK {when I lived in London, I loved running through Holland Park, it’s romantic and peaceful (in the heart of London – this is huge) and has wicked mix of rustic trails, gardens and architecture. If you’re ever in London, run Holland Park.

Current obsession: Tie between Broken Social Scene’s ‘Anthem’s for a Seventeen Year Old Girl’ and watching the Ted.com talks. I am equally obsessed with both at the moment.

Font: American Typewriter (runners up: Courier & Helvetica) *important note: that Helvetica movie is really good. Watch it.

Websites/blogs: This is always evolving as I’m always on the look out for inspiration but here are a few of my long standing go-to sites and a few newbies thrown in to keep it exciting.
www.thesartorialist.blogspot.com/
www.downtownfrombehind.tumblr.com/
www.fashionista.com/
www.kissssing.blogspot.com/
www.fifi-lapin.blogspot.com/
www.apartmenttherapy.com/
www.pinterest.com/
www.43things.com/
www.coolhunting.com/
www.smittenkitchen.com
www.fastcompany.com

Restaurant: In Vancouver: Vij’s (Organic + Indian = Happiness)

Way to get motivated: Nothing motivates me more than my super cute, super fun, super hilarious 2.5 year old daughter.

Place to unroll your yoga mat: YYoga, Flow, Vancouver

Way to celebrate: Veuve Cliquot & hugs

Book: I haven’t been the same since I read The Kite Runner by Khaled Hosseini & Tipping Point by Malcolm Gladwell.

Stay tuned for more love lists, from lululemon employees all across the company!

you asked

When I do child's pose or Bikram's wind removing pose, I get a very uncomfortable pinching sensation in my hip joints. While my Bikram instructors tell me that it's to be expected, it keeps me from truly being able to relax. Am I doing something wrong? Is this something that will get better over time? Is there anything I can do to reduce or eliminate the sensation? What exactly is causing that sensation, anyway?  -Elaine

a yogi answers

Hi Elaine!

Sounds to me like it is our old "friends" the psoas and iliacus. I use the term "friends" jokingly here, as these are notoriously tight muscles for those of us in the West, as we spend most of our days sitting, whether at desks or in the car commuting. The psoas and iliacus are the primary hip flexors. Their function is to lift your leg in toward your chest. The psoas and iliacus are sometimes collectively referred to as the iliopsoas.

The first thing I want you to become aware of is your natural standing posture. Do you tend to arch your low back, allowing your low belly to (for lack of a better word!) pooch out a bit? By engaging your abdominals while releasing your tailbone towards the floor, you will help take pressure off these already overworked muscles. Next, in the two specific poses you mentioned, I recommend taking a hand towel and rolling it up, placing it in the hip joint to create more space when you fold forward. You can use a rolled up blanket if a towel is not big enough.

A great pose to stretch the back leg muscles is Lizard Pose, or Utthan Pristhasana. To get into this posture, come into a low lung, ensuring the front knee is tracking over the front ankle. Bring the heel of the front foot an inch or two to the outside of the mat. Place both hands to the inside of the front leg. Next, slide your back knee behind you so that the knee cap is behind the hip; the thigh bone should be in a diagonal from the hip to the knee. Untuck the back toes so that the top of the foot is down. If it's available, you can come down onto your forearms or a block to deepen the lung; then begin to lengthen the pubic bone toward the navel, extending your heart to the front of the room. Hold for ten deep breaths, switch and repeat.

The last point I want to leave you with is that in yoga, we should absolutely be working - this is how we build heat and create space - but never at the risk of injury or harm to ourselves. We yogis call it "tapas": purification through fire. However, the overarching principle above "tapas" is "ahimsa." Ahimsa means doing no harm. It is a very fine line we straddle, especially those of us who have more rajasic practices such as Ashtanga, Power Yoga, and Bikram. But, this is where we learn to practice our yoga. Can we practice strongly, but softly, as well? Can we push ourselves, but not beyond the limit of no return? Can we leave enough space so that we actually have room to grow and go deeper? Backing off is sometimes how one can end up going deeper in the long run. Because our bodies are like everything else, they do not respond to force. Yet if we are patient and loving and compassionate, they open up like a lotus flower and we take our practices to a whole new level.

I hope this helps!

- Sarah Ezrin, lululemon athletica Brentwood ambassador

more about sarah!

I am a yoga instructor from Santa Monica, CA. I teach at Bryan Kest's Power Yoga studio, as well as a few other top studios and gyms around the Los Angeles region. My daily practice is Ashtanga yoga. I feel very strongly that our mats are just a microcosm for our greater lives and that through learning how to cope on our mats, we can learn how to better deal in our lives. However, we must remember everyday that it is a path and a process, and one I know all too well That's why they call it a practice! More Sarah here: www.sarahezrinyoga.com

what is ask a yogi?
Ask a Yogi is a yoga advice column. If you have a yoga question for a lululemon yoga ambassador, please email askanexpert@lululemon.com.

you asked

I am doing hot yoga and vinyasa. Sometimes I can’t hold a pose - not because I lack strength or balance – but because the arch of my foot hurts. Any clue what that is and what I can do about it?- melanie

a yogi answers

Dear Melanie,

When balancing, try to shift your focus to your core, for you may be placing too much strain on your foot, overworking it a bit. So, think of lifting away from the floor by creating a lift through the belly, which you keep tightly pulled in for a ‘lifting action’ relieving strain from your joints as well (ankles and knees). Always think of defying gravity, and avoid ‘sitting’ or ‘sinking’ into the pose.

You can also try lifting the toes to ensure that you are distributing your body weight across your foot as evenly as possible. In doing so, carefully press the big toe mounds and inner heels down into the floor, and powerfully recoil the arches up into the inner ankles. This may be difficult initially, but will eventually build the strength that you need in your arches.

A daily practice of Virasana, which stretches the top of the foot and strengthens the arches, will be beneficial. Do Virasana (with buttocks on a folded blanket or a block if necessary) whenever possible. While you practice this pose, massage the arches of your feet, pressing on the arches as if cultivating an arch with your thumbs. Also, spread your toes as far apart as possible to avoid foot cramps during Virasana.

- Grace, lululemon Queen St. ambassador

what is ask a yogi?

Ask a Yogi is a yoga advice column that is published on Monday, Wednesday and Saturdays. If you have a yoga question for future yoga panels, please email askanexpert@lululemon.com.

View hot yoga clothes:

• Happy Heat Shorts
• Hot Class Bra
• Hot Class Tank

One month ago, I wrote a Big Hairy Audacious Goal on a piece of cardboard that said, “I have been featured on lululemon.com in a sports bra by July 1st!”. I had a lot of friends asking me why this was a BHAG. While some people have no problem heading into a hot yoga class sans shirt, I have always been a little shy of my body. So what better way to overcome my fear than to declare to the world that I will show my stomach off! This scary goal fit into my health, personal and career goals!

• Health: it motivated me to push my body a little harder when I worked out because I knew I was going to be wearing a sports bra in public and online.
• Personal: it helped me overcome my ego, as I was committed to doing it whether I was in my ‘ideal’ physique or not.
• Career: it pushed me to create and accomplish a BHAG and be featured on my company’s website for all to see!

In order to hold myself accountable, not only did I write my goal down, I shared it with the entire company through our internal communication channel and online for all of our guests to see. The response was a little overwhelming, but it was also empowering to see the support I got! For me, this wasn’t just about taking my shirt off and snapping a picture, it was about being comfortable in my own skin, literally.

following through

Flash forward to July 1st. I woke up, packed my yoga gear, picked the hottest class on YYoga’s schedule and was on my way. I even specifically wore a long sleeve shirt as extra motivation to take off my top in class. As I walked up the stairs of the studio, I secretly had my fingers crossed that the class would be full and I would be turned away. I quickly pushed these thoughts aside and told myself, “Shawna, this is not a big deal".

I was the last one to join the class and ended up right in the middle of the room. I placed my yoga mat down and pondered the idea of wearing my long sleeve shirt for the whole class (it was moisture wicking after all).

Shawna letting go to achieve her BHAG.

I'm not going to lie, I kept my shirt on for the first 15 minutes of the hot yoga class and as a result I began to feel quite nauseous. Not because of the heat, but because of the internal conflict in my head and the increasing butterflies in my stomach. At that very moment, Will Blunderfield, an inspiring YYoga instructor, told the class to “just let go”. While it was a general statement to the class, in that moment I felt like he was speaking specifically to me. I took my shirt off and dedicated the rest of my practice to myself.

Forty-five minutes later, the class ended. While I admittedly had the urge to reach for my shirt a few times throughout the class, I didn’t. No one looked at me funny, no one judged my body and no one cared. So if no one else cared, why should I? In that class, I let go of more than just my shirt. I let go of my ego, my baggage and the barrier I put in front of myself.

Will I be able to let go and rock another class in just a sports bra? Yes.

After high school, Angela moved from Ontario to Alberta for university and volleyball. While at school, she started practicing yoga to compliment her intensive volleyball training. She soon fell in love with hot yoga and made it one of her goals to open the first Moksha studio in Edmonton.

Once she graduated, Angela worked at lululemon athletica on the team that opened our Kingsway store in Edmonton. Her time in the store provided her with the opportunity to develop her leadership skills and discover another one of her passions: developing people. At the same time, her position allowed her the freedom to continue pursuing her yoga studio goals as she took a month off to get her Moksha teacher certification in Thailand.

Angela teaching an outdoor complimentary yoga class

BHAG accomplished

Soon enough, Angela was able to realize her dream and open the first Moksha Yoga studio in Edmonton. At the time, this was the only Moksha studio and she was the only Moksha instructor in the entire province. Her amazing ability to attract and develop people has clearly worked in her favour; two and a half years later, she has opened her second studio location and she now shares the teaching workload with 20 other Moksha certified yoga teachers!

Our Strategic Sales partner, Moksha Yoga Edmonton

Angela still works closely with the Edmonton stores and this past year she signed on for her second term as an ambassador with lululemon West Edmonton Mall. To check out her new studio and to learn more about Moksha Yoga visit Moksha Yoga Edmonton; to find a lululemon Strategic Sales partner in your community check out our partner listings under the Community tab.

an unexpected therapy

When I was 17, I was diagnosed with Ankylosing Spondylitis, a chronic autoimmune disease. I was told by my doctor that the discs in my spine would erode, my spine would fuse as one and I would be hunched over in a wheel chair by the time I was 30.

The strength of the pain medication and treatment would drastically lower my immune system, leaving me vulnerable to any bug people were carrying. It reached a point where small acts like shaking someone’s hand would make me nervous. Though the side effects left me fragile, I knew I needed the drugs to manage the pain. Sometimes I had such painful episodes that I would have to get out of bed at 4:00am and crouch over until the extra pain killers kicked in. I was so young but I felt so old.

Within the first two months of practicing hot yoga at least 4 times a week, the protruding discs in my L3, L4 and L5 moved completely back into alignment! Once the discs had moved back into place, I experienced incredible pain relief because of the reduced inflammation in the area.  As a result, I started to notice that my immune system was also getting stronger. I was finally able socialize without the fear of getting sick! I also recognized other positive changes in my body: my skin cleared up, I was sleeping like a log and the anxiety I had been experiencing for years, just disappeared. I was healthier than I’d ever been.

My specialist was so pleased with my results that we decided to switch to a drug that I could inject myself with at home. As my condition improved, we started to space the treatments out more and more. Now I only take the medication when I feel I need to, and I hope to one day be free of it completely.

moving beyond the body

In order to deepen my practice, I decided to sign up for a 30 day challenge at my local studio. I now understand why it’s called a challenge! I think I had all the same side effects that everyone else experiences and then some.  I could feel the benefits of my body detoxifying and I was surprised by all of the emotions that surfaced over the month. Some days were harder than others, but giving up was never an option. I was determined to finish every class, even if I had to crawl through it. My determination was not fueled by pride, but rather it was as if my soul wouldn’t let me quit. I knew I needed to keep pushing through.

The weeks following the challenge, I began to reflect on the various influences in my life and their impact on my state of mind and overall happiness. I came to realize how the unhealthy relationship with my partner at the time was negatively affecting both my physical and mental health. Thanks to my regular practice and the empowerment of completing the challenge, I was able to assess the situation with a clear head. Making the decision to get out of that 7 year relationship was a huge wake up call and one of the hardest choices of my life. Though it was undeniably difficult, I surprised myself with how well I handled the change. A year of practicing had been both healing my body and strengthening my mind. Hot yoga has forever changed my life and its benefits are still amazing me today!

This post was written by Renae, who worked as an educator at lululemon Perth City.

you asked

What do you think the best solutions for heavy sweaters are? Even in non hot yoga classes, I always end up drenched by the first half of class and while it’s a bit embarrassing, my biggest issue is that I slip in down dog and similar. I’ve asked yoga instructors before but they always shrug and say “it happens”. Thoughts? erin

a yogi answers

I LOVE hot yoga, and I am asked this question almost everyday in the power yoga classes that I teach. First: a good mat is key! lululemon’s “The Mat” is a mat specifically designed to absorb sweat... yes, it really absorbs sweat! I get a lot of heavy sweating men in my classes and they all love this hot yoga mat. When you are sweating a big puddle on your mat, then put down a yogitoes towel. These special yoga towels have little plastic nibs on the back so it literally stays on your sticky mat and won’t move. They actually ONLY perform well when they are wet, so I recommend spraying them with water when they are dry to get optimal usage at the beginning of class and in non hot studios.

Lastly, so much of slippage can be avoided by rooting down into your base in a more specific manner. For example, in down dog if you are collapsing into your outer wrist, it is very hard to not slip. Whether you are grounding down through your hands or your feet it is essential to spread your weight through as broad of a base as possible by spreading your fingers and toes and rooting down through all the knuckles. One more thing... make sure you don’t have any moisturizer on your hands or feet, and don’t wash your yogitoes towels with fabric softener!

- Kinndli, lululemon Oakville ambassador

Read the blog post: "Five Things to Know About the Mat"

Learn more about Kinndli and Power Yoga Canada.

View hot yoga clothes that help you deal with sweat:

• Hot Class Bra
• Happy Heat Short
• Silverescent Hot Class Tank

what is ask a yogi?

Ask a Yogi is a yoga advice column that is published on Monday, Wednesday and Saturdays. If you have a yoga question for future yoga panels, please email askanexpert@lululemon.com.

Almost two years ago, I introduced my dad, Terry, to yoga. My dad's a cotton t-shirt and cargo shorts kind of man, with shin high socks tucked into construction boots. He naturally gravitated to baggy cotton tees when he began practicing yoga. Although a man rather set in his ways, he listened when I told him the right clothing can change his practice. I introduced him to moisture wicking tops and shorts, and Silverescent™ fibres, today he wouldn’t be caught dead without it. Since starting hot yoga and cycling, here are a few reasons why despite a lot of sweat, my dad doesn't stink.

the magic of silverescent™

In all of our technical men's fabrics you will find moisture wicking properties, great stretch, mobility and comfort that men literally fall for. In some of our pieces, you will find the magic that is Silverescent™. This fabric uses X-Static® silver yarn which makes our tech tops anti-bacterial, or as we like to say, anti-stink! Synthetics tend to hold onto odour-causing bacteria even after washing. The silver in some of our tops virtually eliminates bacteria so it remains stink-free after you wash it. It's also moisture wicking and pre-shrunk.

My dad's favourite stink fighting hot yoga outfit: Flash Tech SS & Run:Response Shorts

Flash Tech SS in Coal/Tequila Sunrise: My dad loves this top because it feels like he's not wearing any layers, which is key to not over heating in hot yoga. It also wicks his sweat extremely quickly. It is also very comfortable, and thanks to Silverescent™ fibres woven throughout, he doesn't stink and can take me to dinner after our Monday night hot yoga class.
Details from left to right: Slim fitting w/ with smooth luxtreme fabric for comfortable shoulder movement, luxtreme neckband, flat-seamed, and a pocket for cards or keys.

Why We Made This:

• A light-as-mesh performance top made for moderate to intense workouts.
• Lightweight, breathable, wicking Silverescent™ with antistink and antistatic properties.
• Has a great slim fit with a pocket for cards or keys.
• Soft luxtreme neckband and inserts for increased stretchability and comfort.
• Flat-seamed for chafe resistance and comfort.

Run:Response Shorts in Tequila Sunrise/Vancouver: My dad loves these shorts because they are super comfortable, "stretchy", and long enough to make him feel comfortable in yoga. They wick moisture really quickly, and dry fast, so he loves them for hot yoga and his cycling adventures.

Details from left to right: Elastic waistband with a drawstring that won't come out, built in seamless boxer brief, mesh paneling for extra ventilation, and secure zip pocket.

Why We Made This:

• All-sport short built to fit hockey butt.
• Don't worry about wearing underwear -- we built it in for you!
• Non-chafing flat-seamed liner.
• Secure zip pocket for your valuables.
• Elastic waistband with drawstring that won't pull out.
• Mesh paneling for added ventilation.
• Moisture wicking.

My dad may be hot, but he doesn’t stink. Love you Dad, proud of you and your journey with yoga! Namaste.

Yes this is me under his armpits after his hot yoga session, he really doesn't stink!

Looking for a gift to help your dad not stink up the room after a workout? Check out some of our no stink ideas for dad.

Welcome to the lululemon team Wynn!

what is something unique or surprising about you?

I completed the market mapping of Amsterdam for Starbucks on bicycle as part of a four month European assignment. I rode around Amsterdam for 5 days straight 10 to 12 hours per day. It was a great experience and a test of endurance.

Biking in Amsterdam

what is one of your biggest passions (outside of store development!)?

My wife, nieces and nephews and playing hockey. I married my high school grad date so we are like soul mates. She also puts up with my other passion – store development, which trust me requires a lot of understanding.

Wynn's wife, with their nieces and nephews

favourite place in the world?

Paris, France. There was so much history and the Louvre museum was awesome.

a goal you've achieved that you're proud of?

Completion of my first yoga class - a Bikram hot yoga class! I survived and am ready for another one. My goal is to now attend at least one hot yoga class per week.

what do you want to be remembered for?

Having fun and sharing what I love – development and being part of a great team.

If you want to be a part of the Wynn legacy in Store Development, keep an eye on the lululemon careers page!

]]> http://www.lululemon.com/community/blog/fresh-face-friday-meet-wynn/feed/ 6 http://www.lululemon.com/community/blog/ask-a-yogi-hot-yoga-camel-pose/ http://www.lululemon.com/community/blog/ask-a-yogi-hot-yoga-camel-pose/#comments Mon, 26 Apr 2010 16:58:45 +0000 lululemon http://www.lululemon.com/community/blog/?p=9530
How much hot yoga is too much?

you asked...

I’ve been into hot/Bikrams yoga for a few years now. I use to go 3 to 4 times a week. I was absolutely addicted! I’ve since scaled back to 2 or 3 times a month. I’m hoping to ramp that back up to weekly and eventually a few times a week; like when I first started. I was wondering if it’s ever ‘unhealthy’ or too much to go to hot yoga a couple times a week? Is it bad for your body to be in the class environment, sweat as much as you do, etc. that often? - Andrea S

a yogi answers

Hi Andrea,

I don’t believe practicing hot yoga 3 to 4 times a week is necessarily bad for you unless you have a medical condition such as diabetes, cardiovascular disease, respiratory disease, an eating disorder, sleep deprivation, heart-related illness or are pregnant. Make sure that you are drinking plenty of water to replenish the fluids that you’ve lost during practice, and, like all experienced yogis, just listen to your body.

If you feel like you need to lie down and rest, do that. Don’t worry if the rest of the class is in Dancer’s pose, and you decide to go into Child’s pose. I suggest you consider diversifying your practice by taking other types of yoga classes such as power, vinyasa, Anusara or Iyengar classes so that you do not get burned out on one particular type of yoga. Hot yoga is a wonderful detoxifying practice but it does not build your upper body strength like some of the other styles, and I have heard some yogis say that since the asana sequencing does not change much from class to class, it is nice to mix it up with other yoga styles. All yoga is good, so mix it up. Good luck and I hope to see you in one of my hot classes!

- Danielle


Does Camel pose make you feel sick?

you asked...

I was wondering why Camel pose makes me feel nauseous. Especially at Bikrams, but really in any yoga format. I have been told that it could be because it is a very vulnerable position when your heart is exposed. Is this true?? - Lindsey

a yogi answers

Hi Lindsey,

I am not sure if the position of the heart has anything to do with the nausea experienced in Ushtrasana (Camel pose) but believe it may be due to not breathing fully, misalignment in the posture or a release of emotional issues, which can happen in many different yoga postures, even Balaasana (Child’s pose). Camel pose helps us open up the thoracic spine where most of us tend to be relatively tight as compared to our cervical spine (neck) and lumbar spine (lower back).

To avoid nausea, make sure you maintain a deep and effortless breathing pattern and that you are not dropping your head too far back and compressing the cervical spine; keep the shoulder blades hugging together as you support your lower back with your hands; keep lifting the sternum up to avoid compression in your lumbar spine; and come out of the pose slowly while maintaining a steady flow of breath. As your body works itself into postures, emotions tend to come up. If a situation is bothering you off the mat, it can affect your body and practice. So keep breathing deeply and never force your poses.

I hope I provided some helpful pointers to help you in this posture.

- Danielle
http://daniellemikanagel.com/

Brittany is loving her new mat!

1. It was created using the same technology as the grips on tennis racket handles. This super grippy mat means angst free downward facing dogs and warriors.

2. It's ultra absorbent and sucks in sweat and moisture, which allows the practice surface to maintain its grip.  The Mat will get dark where it gets wet until it dries completely, so get ready to show the world that you sweat once a day.

3. The top layer of The Mat is made with Polyurethane mixed with Ultra Fresh brand antibacterial treatment, which means that it prevents the growth of bacteria, mold, mildew and fungi. The bottom layer is a mixture of natural rubber and 10% recycled luon®. This means that The Mat has latex, and will have a natural rubber scent that will diminish over time. Clean your mat regularly and leave unrolled to speed this process up

4. To care for your mat, clean it after every practice with a natural cleanser like water mixed with lemon juice. For more thorough cleaning, completely saturate The Mat in water and allow to air dry.

5. The Mat is wider than most, to give a larger practice surface, and is 5mm thick, to provide great cushioning.

I love this mat because I have never used a mat where I didn’t slip slightly, and on this one, I don’t budge.

Are you ready for a yoga class?
The Mat: http://shop.lululemon.com/The_Mat
The Mat 7 feet: http://shop.lululemon.com/The_Mat_7ft

Wow, has it been a wet couple of days in Vancouver! As you can already see from the photo, I am wearing Wunder Under's and...*gasp* shorts. Today I am going to a hot yoga class with a bunch of my co-workers (and our very special visitor Whitney, more about her in a bit!) and after my last hot yoga in Wunder Under's, I just could not do it again. So today I am using them for my to and from wear. I hope none of you are too disappointed.

Back to my exciting day, we welcomed my San Diego, California counterpart to Vancouver this afternoon! You have probably seen her work on this blog as she is also a blog artist with us. Her name is Whitney and she will be staying a few days in Vancouver to get a taste of lululemon life here in the beautiful British Columbia. Welcome to Vancouver, Whitney!!

Today's lululemon pieces:
-Satin Pirouette Headband
-Scoop Neck Tank
-Wunder Under Pant
-RUN: Speed Short
-Align Ultra Mat
-Skidless Towel

Whitney, a San Diego native, was well prepared for her trip to Vancouver. She showed up with wellies already on her feet!

Let me start by saying that I'm quite partial to this topic. Hot yoga is my absolute favourite. I crave it, I (sometimes) dread it, but I always love it.

To say that hot yoga is good for you is an understatement. Though it may feel unbearable at times, hot yoga offers unique health benefits that get you absolutely hooked. Being in a hot room gets your muscles (and the connective tissue around those muscles) limber letting you go further into that stretch. The cardiovascular benefits along with the added toning and strengthening elements help make hot yoga one of the most well-balanced workouts I've ever come across. On its own, it can do wonders, but partnered with a running routine - it's the perfect compliment.

I used to get very confused as to what 'hot yoga' actually meant, and it wasn't until I took the time to go to different classes that I really learned what I was getting into. The two most prominent types of hot yoga are Bikram and Moksha. Though they have many similarities, they're very different in practice.

Both Moksha and Bikram are a series of Hatha poses held for 30-60 seconds. While Bikram repeats every posture twice, Moksha incorporates a handful of flows to get the heart rate up and helps deepen the breath. Bikram is also practiced in a room at a few degrees hotter than Moksha; this is always relative to how many people are in the class - the more people, the hotter it gets. I especially love Moksha because of the instructor's ability to take creative license with each class; this energy really resonates with me and I've learned that some of my most creative moments come after a class - after countless hip and heart openers. That's what has kept me all these years, and I'm certain it's what will keep me coming back for years to come.

So should you ever want to try hot yoga, whether it's Moksha or Bikram, grab your mat (studios have mats to rent as well), your water bottle, and a towel and get ready to sweat and feel zen all in the same breath. It's rather liberating to feel so completely calm during such an amazing workout! Give it a try, I promise you won't be disappointed!

Namaste.