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Originally Posted by Brilliant Idiot
This is a really juicy question!
On the medical end: your body will be more flexible in warmer conditions. And the sweating can rid you of toxins - not to mention a lot of water!!
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Yes, it definitely aids in flexibility. And I hope I am ridding myself of toxins as my yoga clothes are literally as wet as a bathing suit after just stepping out of a pool after class.
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Downside: Many people are medically sensitive to heat. There are a lot of medical conditions that are made worse with long exposure to hot conditions. Also, if you're not very fit, it's extremely demanding on your heart and vascular system to put that heavy demand on it.
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This would explain why most of the people who keep coming back are in pretty good shape. Our teacher likes to say that those who hang in there are special in their commitment and desire to better themselves. Perhaps he's just blowing sunshine up our skirts.
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Also, with your vascular system intensely busy cooling you off, your body won't like redirecting any blood to your stomach to process food. So, if you've eaten before hand, you can feel sick.
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Absolutely! For me, it has to be more than two hours and I have to be really careful about
what I eat, too. Nothing too heavy.
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The real issue is what your teacher is like. There are yoga nazi's who are unrelenting. I feel that harsh approach seems rather un-yoga like. I mean, yoga means 'unity' and it's supposed to be about a harmony between body and mind. That is, you're supposed to be listening to the messages from your body and adjusting what you do accordingly. Right? Pushing yourself seems to go against this harmonic dialogue and can often result in injury. (Hey, if you're body is screaming with pain or is feeling ill, guess what it's saying. It's saying "Stop That!" )
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I couldn't agree with you more. There isn't a much more dichotomous phrase than
yoga-nazi. Not to mention, as you said, the risk of injury if some of these postures are done incorrectly.
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I like the sound of your teacher.
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I like him very much, too. He brings humor and fun to the class without losing focus on discipline and effort.
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I think you really have to be in shape before taking on hot yoga. And the pace of these classes is such that you really need to know your poses already, so you don't injure yourself.
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Well, I didn't know the postures before starting the class, but the instruction has been good. And I am taught new ways of correcting and improving them each class.
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Personally, I want to try it out. Because, although I love and need the contemplative side of yoga, I also like a really great work out. I don't think I'll handle the heat well, though.
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I do regret there not being much emphasis on the spiritual in this form of yoga. While there is meditation before and after the class it is short-termed and not guided.
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Tips: Go in on an empty stomach, (no food for two hours before, no water for an hour before). Little sips of water throughout the workout and then a litre of cool water when you're done, then, two hours later, another big glass or two. Don't eat until about 20 mins after the work out is over, to give your body and vascular system time to recover.
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Thank you for these tips! I was wondering about the whens and how much-es of water consumption. Although, I do pick up a smoothie on the way home almost always. Is that not appropriate?
And maybe my digestion is slow, but I need at least 3-4 hours in between eating and class. Except for the early morning ones, where I will eat just a piece of toast two hours before.
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PS: Sorry there aren't any new Snacks lately. I've been busy with transferring my billiantidito.com site over to a new format and applying for funding for a new project. Until I get back, remember that most essential of yoga practices: keep breathing in and out. 
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Thank you for the advice! I will be sure to check out your site when it is done.
Namaste.