Nicole Brar

Fitness Instructor & Nutritionist

What To Wear To Hot Yoga To Avoid Overheating

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what to wear to hot yoga

With the cold weather here, have you thought about switching up your yoga routine? Hot yoga has become super popular in recent years, and it’s perfect for escaping that winter chill. 

However, if you’ve never been to a hot yoga class, you might need to get some different workout clothes. The temperature of hot yoga classes can range from about 90-108 degrees Fahrenheit, or 37-40 degrees Celsius. Because of this, it’s important to wear clothes that will keep you cool and dry!

So, let’s dive into what you should wear to hot yoga class.

6 Things To Wear For Hot Yoga

1. Moisture-Wicking Yoga Clothes

Opt for moisture-wicking hot yoga clothes that are designed to draw sweat away from your body. Look for materials like polyester or blends that keep you dry and comfortable throughout your practice.

2. Tank Tops or Crop Tops

Tank tops and crop tops are ideal for hot yoga because they provide ventilation and allow your skin to breathe. Choose lightweight, breathable fabrics that promote air circulation.

3. Hot Yoga Pants or Shorts

For your lower body, I recommend wearing shorts or sweat wicking hot yoga pants made from materials that dry quickly and offer flexibility. Tight-fitting options prevent excess fabric from getting in your way during poses.

4. Sports Bra with Moisture-Wicking Properties

Supportive sports bras with moisture-wicking capabilities are essential for women. It helps manage sweat and provides the necessary support during your practice.

5. Yoga Mat and Towel

Don’t forget your yoga mat and a yoga towel. The towel can be placed over your mat to absorb moisture and provide a non-slip surface, enhancing your stability in poses like downward-facing dog.

6. Stay Hydrated with a Water Bottle

It’s crucial to stay hydrated during hot yoga. Bring a water bottle and take sips throughout your class to replenish lost fluids.

How Long Does It Take To Get Flexible From Yoga?

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How Long Does It Take To Get Flexible From Yoga?

Are you a little bit impatient? 

As a beginner yoga practitioner, you’re probably wondering how long it will actually take to get more flexible from yoga. 

The answer to this question depends on two things:

  • Your starting point
  • How flexible you want to be

If you are practicing yoga regularly, you should start to see improvements in the first couple of weeks. Major improvements in flexibility could take longer, perhaps months or years. 

Don’t let this discourage you though. Here are three tips to become more flexible with yoga.

3 Tips for Getting Flexible From Yoga

1. Relax and Breath

It’s going to be hard to practice flexibility if you are holding mental or physical tension. Don’t rush through things, just breathe, be present, and relax.

One of the basics of yoga is practicing syncing your breath and movement together. Breath deeply and steadily. Don’t worry about keeping up with the instructor. Just focus on linking breath to each movement. 

2. Test Your Limits

Yoga is a personal journey, so don’t measure yourself against other people. It’s important to play around with the poses. 

Challenge yourself slightly by pushing beyond your comfort zone. Find the edge of what feels comfortable, but don’t push yourself too far. Find a balance between testing the limits without causing too much strain. 

3. Keep Practicing

A lot of people think they can’t do yoga because they aren’t flexible already. This is the wrong mindset. It’s called a yoga practice. You absolutely do not have to be perfect in order to try. As you keep practicing, you will only continue to improve your flexibility.

Yoga For Stress Relief: Poses and Practices to Try

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Feeling overwhelmed by stress? Yoga can be your oasis of calm in the midst of chaos. Whether you’re a beginner or have limited experience with yoga, these simple poses and practices can help you find stress relief and restore balance to your mind and body.

4 Yoga Poses For Stress Relief

Child’s Pose (Balasana)

Start in a kneeling position, then gently lower your torso down, resting your forehead on the mat or a pillow. Breathe deeply and allow yourself to surrender to the pose, releasing tension from your back, neck, and shoulders.

Cat-Cow Pose (Marjaryasana-Bitilasana)

Begin on all fours, aligning your wrists under your shoulders and your knees under your hips. Inhale, arch your back, lift your gaze, and let your belly drop towards the mat (Cow Pose). Exhale, round your spine, tuck your chin, and draw your belly in towards your spine (Cat Pose). Repeat this flow several times, syncing your breath with your movements.

Standing Forward Bend (Uttanasana)

Stand with your feet hip-width apart, gently fold forward from your hips, and allow your upper body to hang loose. Bend your knees as much as needed to release tension in your hamstrings. Feel the gentle stretch in your back and let gravity pull your head towards the ground.

Legs-Up-The-Wall Pose (Viparita Karani)

Find a wall and sit sideways next to it. Lie down on your back and swing your legs up against the wall, forming a 90-degree angle. Relax your arms by your sides and close your eyes. Stay in this pose for several minutes, focusing on deep, slow breaths.

Conclusion

To enhance your yoga practice for stress relief, incorporate mindfulness and meditation techniques. Pay attention to your breath, allowing it to guide you into a state of relaxation. Practice gratitude by reflecting on positive aspects of your life. And remember to listen to your body, modifying poses as necessary to suit your comfort level.

By dedicating a few minutes each day to these yoga poses and practices, you can cultivate a sense of calm and find relief from stress. So roll out your mat, take a deep breath, and let yoga be your sanctuary in the midst of life’s demands.

How Often Should You Be Doing Yoga?

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Many people who start taking yoga classes find that they really enjoy the practice and want to incorporate it more into their daily lives. It provides deep relaxation and is an amazing way to stay fit and healthy. But how often should you really be doing yoga? Some people do yoga every single day, but as a beginner, you want to make sure you don’t over-exert yourself.

As a virtual reality fitness and yoga instructor, Nicole Brar teaches all branches of yoga, including hatha, bhakti, jana and hot yoga. Read on to learn more about how often you should be practicing yoga each week.

How often you should practice yoga depends on the style of yoga and your current fitness level. If you are new to yoga, you may be surprised at just how much it works out your muscles. Beginners may find that they can only do one session a week at first and slowly add in more sessions throughout the week.

It also depends on what other physical activities you do outside of yoga. If you are really active at the gym, you probably don’t need to do really intense yoga sessions every day.

Some styles of yoga are more physically demanding than others. It is perfectly fine to do yoga every day if you want to. Just make sure that one or two days a week is more relaxed. Yoga is all about listening to your body, so don’t push yourself harder than you can handle. Yes, yoga can be a really intense workout, but it doesn’t have to be all the time. It’s also about meditation and relaxation.

5 Beginner Yoga Tips

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5 beginner yoga tips nicole brar

Starting a yoga practice is an amazing way to exercise your body, improve your overall fitness, and have some quality ‘you’ time. When you first begin yoga, it can be really intimidating, especially when you see other people getting into crazy poses. Fear not, because everyone starts their yoga journey somewhere.

As a fitness instructor and nutritionist, Nicole Brar is on a mission to help people achieve their health and fitness goals. She provides instruction in all branches of yoga, including hatha, bhakti, jana and hot yoga. Today she shares 5 yoga tips for beginners. 

  1. Find a good yoga instructor. Yes, it is true that there are a lot of great online tutorials, but going to an in-person class is really valuable because an instructor can correct your posture if you’re not quite in the right position (which is common for beginners).
  2. You don’t necessarily need to take a “beginner” specific class. Pretty much any position in yoga can be modified to suit whatever level you are at, including if you have certain physical limitations. If you’re worried, just talk to your instructor about it.
  3. Let go of your expectations, and start exactly where you are. It is perfectly fine if you can’t touch your toes or do the super intense version of the poses. What really matters with yoga is being able to connect with your body.
  4. Make sure you have the right equipment. All you really need to practice yoga is a non-slip mat, comfortable clothes, and maybe some straps, blankets, and blocks. Depending on where you take your yoga class, these things may be provided for you. 
  5. Take it slow and don’t try to rush. Yoga is as much about meditation and mindfulness as it is about exercise.