During summer in New York, leaving the sanctuary of 24 hour air conditioning and stepping outside is like entering a giant sauna. The air is sticky and soupy. Even the breeze is warm, providing no relief from the humidity, so attending a hot yoga class can seem kind of unimaginable. With the right strategy, though, you can continue to reap the rewards of practicing at a heated studio like Modo Yoga (higher calorie burn and looser, more flexible muscles, to name two) despite the inhospitable temperature.
Hydrate like crazy
It goes without saying, but you need to hydrate before, during and after class. By the time you’ve got that dry-mouth feeling you’re already dehydrated, so keep a bottle of water on your desk / in your bag to make sure you’re sipping consistently throughout the day. A Corkcicle Canteen holds 750ml of water (the same as a bottle of wine, which is handy to know if you’re picnicking on the weekend), and has triple insulation to keep beverages chilled for 25 hours, making it ideal for a hot yoga class.
Replace electrolytes
A good sweat followed by a cool shower makes you feel shiny and new, but it’s important to remember you’re losing minerals, not just fluids, when you perspire. Replenish your sodium, potassium and magnesium by adding an electrolyte supplement to your Corkcicle bottle before class. Handy pocket-sized packets are easy to carry, will prevent muscle cramps, and help stave off sluggishness.
Wear sweat-wicking fabrics
You don’t have to wear teeny tiny shorts to hot yoga if you don’t want to. A host of activewear companies are creating technological garments that keep you drier during exercise thanks to sweat-wicking fabrics with smart aeration. And a word to the wise, it might be time you reassessed the underwear you workout in, too.
Fuel your body before and after
Yoga on a full stomach, in a hot room, is not a pleasant experience. That said, it’s smart to get a little energy through light and easy-to-digest carbohydrates like hummus with carrot and cucumber sticks, or a couple of pieces of fruit. Banana is great for its high potassium content, and watermelon helps top up hydration levels.
Post-yoga opt for a balanced meal with protein and lots of veggies to provide plenty of energy.
Readdress your skincare routine
Sweat itself is great for your skin (after all, there’s a reason many cultures prioritize regular sauna and spa sessions). Sweating releases a natural antibiotic called Dermcidin, which helps protect skin from bacteria and impurities. However, those same impurities, if they aren’t removed after you’ve been sweating, can clog your pores and cause breakouts. To prevent pimples carry cleansing facial wipes in your bag to quickly remove makeup before class and grime afterwards. Then, once you’ve showered, apply a light lotion to your face and body to lock-in moisture.
Volcanic Iceland Epic Trip
meet our Local Insider
Hanna
HOW LONG HAVE YOU BEEN A GUIDE?
2 years.
WHAT DO YOU LOVE ABOUT YOUR JOB?
It's the personal contact, the personal experiences. I love meeting people from all over the world... I really like getting to know everyone and feeling like I'm traveling with a group of friends.
WHAT DESTINATION IS ON YOUR TRAVEL BUCKET-LIST?
I have so many places on my list, but I would really lobe to go to Africa. I consider myself an “adventure girl” and Africa feels like the ULTIMATE adventure!
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Since you are here, we would like to share our vision for the future of travel - and the direction Culture Trip is moving in.
Culture Trip launched in 2011 with a simple yet passionate mission: to inspire people to go beyond their boundaries and experience what makes a place, its people and its culture special and meaningful — and this is still in our DNA today. We are proud that, for more than a decade, millions like you have trusted our award-winning recommendations by people who deeply understand what makes certain places and communities so special.
Increasingly we believe the world needs more meaningful, real-life connections between curious travellers keen to explore the world in a more responsible way. That is why we have intensively curated a collection of premium small-group trips as an invitation to meet and connect with new, like-minded people for once-in-a-lifetime experiences in three categories: Culture Trips, Rail Trips and Private Trips. Our Trips are suitable for both solo travelers, couples and friends who want to explore the world together.
Culture Trips are deeply immersive 5 to 16 days itineraries, that combine authentic local experiences, exciting activities and 4-5* accommodation to look forward to at the end of each day. Our Rail Trips are our most planet-friendly itineraries that invite you to take the scenic route, relax whilst getting under the skin of a destination. Our Private Trips are fully tailored itineraries, curated by our Travel Experts specifically for you, your friends or your family.
We know that many of you worry about the environmental impact of travel and are looking for ways of expanding horizons in ways that do minimal harm - and may even bring benefits. We are committed to go as far as possible in curating our trips with care for the planet. That is why all of our trips are flightless in destination, fully carbon offset - and we have ambitious plans to be net zero in the very near future.