Want to Try Heated Yoga?

Michael Kistoglou teaching at Inner Strength Studios in Watertown. Photo by Emily McLaughlin.

Boston has seen its fair share of snow this winter, and residents are desperately seeking refuge from the cold, bitter air. You know it’s been a rough winter when temps that hit the mid-30’s seem “warm.” Most of us have been hibernating indoors by a raging fire or curling up with a blanket and cup of tea. But if you’re looking to try something a bit more active to escape the cold, try heated yoga instead.

A heated yoga class is warmed anywhere from 85 to 105 degrees Fahrenheit. Before heading to your first class, Michael Kistoglou, an instructor at Inner Strength Studios, advises the following:

1. Bring water and drink plenty of it before class. “This is to keep from feeling thirsty, dehydrated, or dizzy in the hot room,” he says.

2. During class, focus on slow deep breaths. “The steadiness of your breathing will regulate heart rate and help you maintain a sense of ease during the challenging, heated moments of your yoga experience,” Kistoglou says.

3. Listen to the teacher carefully to avoid jeopardizing your physical health. “The instructor is there to lead you through a safe yoga practice so trust them,” he says.

Last winter, I started practicing in heated studios to get out of the cold. My first mistake was showing up in full-length pants and a moisture-wicking short-sleeve shirt. Here’s what I wish I knew before beginning:

4. Dress in layers to strip off as your heat up. It might be 10 degrees outside, but you’ll warm up very quickly in the yoga studio.

5. Bring a towel to wipe off sweat. If you are planning to practice regularly, invest in a yoga mat towel like Yogitoes.

6. Time your meals correctly. Don’t eat a meal less than two hours before class, but a light snack an hour before is okay (i.e. apple, banana, mixed nuts). After class, plan to eat something with both protein and carbohydrates within an hour.

7. Rest when you need to by taking child’s pose at any point during class. It’s easy to get lightheaded and overwhelmed (physically or mentally) during a heated class, no matter how many sessions you have under your belt.

Yoga studios aren’t hard to track down in Boston, but ones that offer heated classes might be not be on your radar. Here’s where to find heated yoga in your area:

Back Bay Yoga (Back Bay), Coolidge Corner Yoga (Brookline), Inner Strength Studios (West Roxbury, Watertown), JP Centre Yoga (Jamaica Plain), Prana Power Yoga (Cambridge, Newton, Winchester), South Boston Yoga (South Boston), Sweat and Soul Yoga (Allston), Sadhana (South End)

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