Imagine this: you just signed up for your very first hot yoga class and you’re already sweating. Why? Because you’re nervous. What if you sweat TOO much? What if you’re not wearing the right clothes? What if everyone is better and you look like a noob? Yeah, this was ME just two weeks ago as I was driving to take a Hot Power Yoga class at Sweatheory here in Kansas City. Gals, I was panicking.
As I walk into the studio, I am greeted with a wonderful woosh of essential oils and peaceful music. A sweet, little chihuahua comes to greet me and licks my ankles. The front desk person tells me his name is Elvis (be still, my heart) and the whole studio looks like a cozy, nordic log cabin. Since it was my first class, they let me rent a mat towel (an essential for hot yoga, I’ve learned) for free. The yoga teacher welcomes me into the sauna room where the class is held and gives me a run down of how it will all go. She must have sensed my nervousness, but she definitely talked me down. I took a 60-minute “power” yoga class. There were only two other attendees, which was PERFECT for my first class.
I’m not gonna lie to you, I WAS SOAKED. Within the first 15-minutes, majority of my clothes were completely soaked through and every inch of skin was covered with condensation. It was tough to get used to at first, but as the class went on, I welcomed the sweat and said good-bye to the toxins exiting my body. See, the cool thing about Sweatheory is that you’re not just in a hot room… you’re in a healing sauna. There’s infrared lights that have so many healing properties (see here) and a Himalayan pink salt wall to promote comfort throughout these tough classes. Of course, I unknowingly signed up for the hardest class they offer at the studio. There aren’t any intense poses, it is just a quicker paced vinyasa-flow class (chaturangas on the REG people). Just wait, I haven’t gotten to the best part:
As the class was ending, I’m soaked, heart rate has been ~150 bpm due to the heat and movement, we are told to enter savasana (best pose ever obvi). As my eyes are closed, the teacher comes around with essential oil infused ICE COLD towels and places them over my eyes. She then massaged my neck for a small moment and then moved to the next person. IT WAS SO PEACEFUL. That cold towel freaking saved me. It was incredible and so relaxing, guys.
***I’ve also attended the BREATHE class, which is focused more on slow stretching. Honestly, that one was worse for me, because I felt myself focusing more on the heat than the moves. Now, I won’t lie to y’all. I do NOT pay for Sweatheory directly. I booked through ClassPass and if you compare prices, you are saving quite a lot.
Sweatheory has locations in LA and KC. I would say this class is DEFINITELY worth it. I absolutely love it (in fact, I’m taking Hot Power yoga again tomorrow morning). If you guys check it out in KC, make sure to book your class with Maria. She is the only person I’ve been to because her teaching is AMAZING. She’s welcoming of all levels, helpful and has a super calming voice.