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.