How do I stop people freaking out about the heat when I explain Hot Yoga?

Hi Gabrielle,

I teach “Hot Yoga” – when I mention to students, who ask about it, that the room is heated between 85 and 100 degrees, they freak out. I do explain about hydration, etc. but many are afraid to try it. Is there anything I can say to convince them to at least try it once??

thank you,
YoginiMarcie
Posted by YoginiMarcie on 01/21 at 09:26 AM

Hello Marcie

Thanks for posting your question… It is with trial and error and behavior observation that we developed a way to describe the benefits of the heat and the conditions in the room.

Here are some things that worked for us…
1) The yoga is practiced in a room heated to body temperature. This allows you to keep safe and stretch more easily, plus tons of other benefits (insert as required 😉 )
2) If it were boiling hot outside then you would never dream of gardening for hours in the searing heat. We are exercising without the sun beating down and in a CONTROLLED environment. (and then hopefully Marcie you CAN control the heat with a set and forget thermostat!)
3) Any exercise in difficult or different conditions requires a period of acclimatization. In the first 1-3 classes quite a few students can’t get past their “it’s hot” thoughts. But very shortly as the series becomes familiar we forget that it is hot.
4) In fact… one time at the studio there was a power cut for 3 days. We had students ringing every day saying “I’m not coming if the heaters aren’t working”. True story, you can use it. LOL
5) It’s all in the way you frame up your ‘story’, try to avoid the explanations and dont’ jump to a defensive position. Tell them that this way of doing the yoga leads to immediate benefits, but they do need to acclimatize.
6) We always walk each new student into the studio, find them their spot, put the mat down and take them out again to continue their orientation.
7) Ensure that clothing is appropriate. I actually had extra clothing on hand for those poor souls that wore t shirts or long tracksuit pants etc.

Anyway Marcie hope that helps. I could go on and on. It is really the subject of a whole book.

Namaste
Gabrielle 🙂