The room is intentionally hot. Sweating helps expel toxins through the skin, your body's largest organ of elimination. Exercising to the point of perspiration offers overheating therapy benefits too. Tests show that when athletes sweat, they excrete cancer-causing elements like heavy metals and pesticide PCB's.
The body's ability to function in heat is not a measure of physical conditioning, but heat conditioning. Being in good condition will help, but only consistent exposure to heat will allow the body to adjust (similar to the acclimation process at higher altitudes).
Until acclimated to the heat, some students may show symptoms of heat stress. The process of heat acclimatization is a physiological process that takes time. Veteran students can experience these symptoms after prolonged absence from classes, stress, illness and/or dehydration.
Full acclimatization takes as long as 14 days, but most students will feel more comfortable after attending a few classes in a row.
Because of salt (electrolyte) loss prior to acclimatization, it is ESSENTIAL that new students take electrolyte replacements. this is also true when a student increases exposure by taking more classes as well as differing temperature and/or humidity.
Hydration is key to successful hot yoga practice. Hydration must occur BEFORE heat exposure and/or exercise. DRINK PLENTY OF WATER BEFORE COMING TO CLASS. Some guidelines are:
- 8 (8 ounce) glasses of water a day (conventional)
- 1 ounce of water for every two pounds of body weight a day (revised)
- 1 liter for every 30 pounds of body weight a day (super hydrate)
Remember that your body needs a certain amount of water every day just to maintain its normal functions. Participating in hot yoga increases the body's water requirements.
Wiping sweat from the body stimulates additional sweating, which increases water loss!
