Hot Yoga isn’t exactly a new experience, but it might be new for you. The first time you walk into that room and feel your body immediately begin to perspire, you might think, “What am I getting myself into?” Don’t worry! We’ve all been there. During the first 15 or so minutes of a Hot Yoga class, I’m constantly assessing whether I’m going to survive or not.

The first Hot Yoga Class I attended, I was not prepared with the right clothing. It was the middle of winter so I had on a cotton T-shirt and some warm yoga leggings. I figured I could just take my T-shirt off and wear a yoga sports bra and leggings and be fine. I was fine, but I definitely experienced some unnecessary sweating (besides the usual amount of hot yoga sweating).

So to save you from sweating your ass off in a class more than you already will, and having to endure slow-drying clothing afterwards, let’s take a look at what you should bring and wear in a hot yoga class. I’ll touch on some of my favorite brands for a hot yoga class, as well as a couple of tips to make survival a little easier.

What To Wear To A Hot Yoga Class

Clothing, ideally. Although naked hot yoga might be interesting. And slippery. The type of clothing you wear is essential for feeling successful. What are your garments made of?

You want lightweight, moisture-wicking, fast-drying clothing as much as possible. Thinner, silky-feeling leggings are usually a clue to how quickly they will dry.

I love Teeki pants for hot yoga. The travelers are great, but all of them are thin, yet still hugging the body in all the right places. They don’t slide and slip around on the body. And they dry quickly after you’re done.

Another great hot yoga brand is Onzie. Well they aren’t a brand built around hot yoga, but they work very well for the task. They definitely provide much more structure than Teeki does. They are thicker and your body shapes to them more than they shape to your body, but in the best way. They still have that slick feeling to them without being slippery. And they are so flattering. I love me some Onzie!

Another essential (or essential for some) is a non-slip yoga mat towel. The first time I ever came into a hot yoga class I saw people laying these beautiful towels out on top of their mats and then spraying them with water. I had no idea what they were doing. I thought having a towel down would cause me to trip and stumble as most towels get caught on your feet when you try to slide them. And sometimes that can happen, but not very often. Hot yoga makes you sweat. A lot. And those puddles of sweat on your mat (no, really) can get very slippery. Having a yoga mat towel that doesn’t slip eliminates this problem making for a safer practice.

Spiritual Gangster also has some new leggings out that are wonderful in the hot yoga studio. They aren’t at thin and silky as the Teeki’s, but they are breathable and quick-drying. They have a variety of tanks that are also perfect for a hot class if you aren’t down for moving in your sports bra alone.

This isn’t an exhaustive list, but one crucial piece of the hot yoga puzzle that has nothing to do with clothing is staying hydrated. You sweat a lot in these classes. Drinking a lot of water during the week leading up to the class is a great tool, and especially the day before. I used to try and chug water right before the class to alleviate light-headedness that can sometimes accompany rigorous workout in a 98 degree room, but realized I needed to take care of my body more consistently and from the inside out.

Don’t let hot yoga scare you away before you’ve given it your best shot – unless you want to, of course. It’s your practice, after all. But if you have your heart set on loving hot yoga, but it doesn’t seem to be working out so well, give some of these tips a shot.

Wearing the proper clothing is important. No one wants to feel like they are being suffocated by their clothing, and no one wants to hit up happy hour with friends afterwards in soaked clothes that refuse to dry. Use props as needed. And keep your body hydrated and nourished! Yoga is more than just asana, the physical practice of yoga and movement. It is about taking care of ourselves, body and mind.

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