I have been working out for so long without stretching that my muscles were tight and stretching them was out of my body's comfort zone. This was one reason I fell in love with hot yoga. In a heated room, you do not immediately feel the effects of stretching because the damp heat lubricates tight muscles; but in 24 hours, it might be quite a chore to move those sore muscles. I started using an msm supplement once a day to get through the first weeks of muscle soreness; a godsend because soreness can make you feel heavy and lethargic.
The usual lightweight clothing, anti-sweat athletic wear that dries quickly will do just great. For men its light tees with shorts and women can wear a tank top or sports bra with shorts or lightweight pilates memphis yoga-style pants.
By this I mean not letting all those bright, shiny objects distract us from our real goals. What is your goal for today, for this hour? Put yourself in a place where you can work undistracted. Do nothing else but what you have set out to do. As for me now, it's writing this article and then recording the audio for it.
Sometimes I'll do one set of weight lifting followed by a minute of mind body haus. Other times I'll do two sets of weight lifting (usually a duo superset) followed by 30 to 45 seconds of a yoga pose (or two).
Yoga, as an exercise and discipline helps us slow down. It is the integration of strength building exercises aligned with breath. As the breath slows down, so does the mind. As the mind slows down, we can cast out negative thoughts and fears that overshadow our faith. As we begin to clear out our doubts and fears, we can renew our minds and embrace all of God's promises to us. Can we do this without yoga? Absolutely! The real question is, "Do we have too?" Absolutely not! Many people, as well as Christians flock to yoga several times a week, not just for the physical benefits, but the mental benefits as well. hot yoga provides another opportunity for quelling the mind and centering the soul. Yoga can be a moving meditation to God. For me and many other Christians, that is exactly what it is.
You will also need to wear the right clothes when you go for your exercise session. You are certainly going there to become fit but there is no harm to give in to some vanity. Yoga classes tend to be filled with very stylish people and you will feel very much out of place if you too are not as well dressed as they are.