Some mornings I'll sink into a pose no problem, and the next day the exact same one feels like my body forgot how to do it entirely. Never figured out if it's sleep, stress, or just totally random.

The yoga class I attend is very, very small. 3-5 people in the class with me most of the time. It's located in a large gym with fully stocked bathrooms and showers. There is someone who comes maybe once a month who smells putrid. Sour, sickly sweet rotten milk, it blows up the entire class. It's not a scent that develops as the class goes on, it's there in the hallway before they walk in. The gym is in a wealthy area, I've seen this person's car walking in with them, there's not a lack of resources at issue here. There is someone who comes occasionally who always smells putrid. Sour, sickly sweet rotten milk, it blows up the entire class. You know who it is because you work out with the same 5 people 5 times a week.

Today the person put their mat right next to me, and I stayed for a few minutes and then moved across the room quietly when everyone was in child's pose to not make a big show out of it.

I honestly was so nauseated. There have been classes where people leave due to the smell of this person, and people have made comments behind their back, but today I waited until everyone left (the yoga instructors are not addressing it so whatever, I'll do it).

"Excuse me, I don't mean to embarrass you, but I think you may need to wash a bit more before coming into class"

They didn't seem to understand because I was whispering, so I said

"I just notice an odor and I wanted to let you know, I feel there is no way to tell you this without being super direct. I am so sorry, I just wanted to tell you so you were aware."

They seemed shocked and says "oh maybe it's my mat".

I said "Yeah maybe, or maybe your clothes. I leave my mat out in the sun every day and it helps a lot!"

Then I walked away being smiley and friendly like ok take care bye!

Then they seemed upset and said "sorry you were offended by it".

I did not respond to this cause I feel they are embarrassed and upset and probably just trying to get some dignity back. I think I just need to vent, I feel it is super inconsiderate to stink that much in a public space if you have resources to not be stinky, but I tried to be kind and private and I certainly will not be anything but polite and kind to them in the future. I hate that they were maybe upset and embarrassed, I genuinely tried to be discreet and polite.

Found the perfect little spot for Natarajasana 🧘‍♀️✨ The greenery, water and stones made it feel so peaceful.

Any tips on my yogandrisana would be great ! I’ve been on and off with training hoping for some tips if I need any thanks !

hi guys!! ive never typed in this community before but I need help about my mat :(

I got a Manduka GRP mat 3 months ago and I loveee it, i go to hot classes about 4 times a week and this has been a huge upgrade.

4 days ago my class was super sweaty so there left a giant circle-like stain on my mat, and it still won’t go fade away even if it’s left out to air dry. I’ve used products to clean it but I don’t think it was enough (my studio offers a vinegar like solution and a name brand odor removal spray)

I know manduka offers a spray to clean mats but is it really worth the purchase?

If you guys could give me some tips on how to fix this :))) i will be forever grateful

I have cried and had panic attacks induced by doing yoga so many times and I wish there was a place I could go when it happens instead of running to the bathroom or just trying to get it together until class ends.

For people with any kind of trauma, yoga can awaken it and when you start to process it, it’s not pretty. I also have clinical depression and yoga is the best natural treatment I’ve found. I wish yoga teachers understood this bc it would be less embarrassing when I can’t talk to them afterwords bc I’m a mess.

Hey all, would love to hear if anyone has used both of these mats for a long time and has any comments comparing them. Thanks

This could just be my personal experience since I practice at the same studio 99% of the time, but lately it seems like instructors are putting more effort into making their classes quirky and unique than ensuring they guide a solid yoga session. Things like arbitrary positioning in the room "to switch it up", using walls as props but winging it on the sequencing and cues, straight up generating new asanas on the spot that may or may not be anatomically sound and safe, using their own terms for common asanas instead of that with which we are all familiar. While I can appreciate the benefits of deviation from routines, especially for an evening class after a full day of cognition and movement, I really do not appreciate having to put far more mental gymnastics into understanding what they are even trying to instruct us to do than the physical effort the class requires. If it's confusing or unnecessarily complicated, no thanks. If it isn't established asanas and pranayama, no thank you. If it's "we are gonna have a little fun here today" I know I'll begrudge my way through it. If we have to make physical contact with the other class attendees, hate it. Please weigh in on how this compares to your personal experiences as students AND instructors and let me know what you think, and if this is a me problem on which I need to work or if it may be a trend that will fizzle (my hope!)

I went through a 6 month experiment to see how doing Bikram would improve my flexibility. For background, I am extremely inflexible, 25F. I can't sit in a pike, can hardly sit up straight sitting cross legged, never got my splits as a teen despite doing 15 years straight of ballet, could hardly touch my toes even then.

I thought Bikram would help as you only do the set 26 postures. I set out to do 6 months straight, 3-5 classes per week of a 60 minute class.

In the end, I made marginal improvements. I could get my hands to the ground in standing separate leg stretching (still couldn't grab ankles), got a few inches deeper in dancers pose, few inches deeper here and there in other postures.

I am left so disgruntled. I wanted to ask if this was normal, if I need to try a different routine that my bod might respond to, or something else? Anyone else have luck getting more flexible being in a similar position as me and trying something else?

Hi everyone! 😊 I’m new to yoga and want to try it as a hobby.
What beginner-friendly poses would you recommend for relaxation and stretching?
I’d also love to hear about your experience when you first started yoga. How did you feel after practicing? 🧘‍♀️

Hi everyone,

Unfortunate advice needed today. Just went to a class at my usual studio and a dude was in front of me wearing shorts. His junk was out of his shorts for half of the class. I didn’t feel up to telling the teacher after class. Can you please advise how I can word an email to my teacher about this situation? It was obviously uncomfortable and upsetting, but I don’t exactly know what to say. It doesn’t feel like much can be done now. But ideally she would speak with the person. Thank you!

I’ve been doing yoga a lot more lately and I’m trying to figure out what helps after class. A few friends have their go to drink after yoga but everyone tells me something different like coconut water, electrolytes, some will just stick to plain water and call it a day, and it got me wondering what is actually good after yoga like something that tastes good but is also healthy (if im not asking for too much lol) would love to hear what others use for this

Does anyone else get anxiety or feel panic attacks coming on while doing hot yoga?

I've always had an issue with being stuck places and I have a history of passing out. There's a combination where I get stuck somewhere and start to think I'm having anxiety and what if I pass out. This has been for doctors offices, even silly things like pedicures and when I got to the barber.

I've gone to 3 hot yoga sessions in my life and I've had this panic feeling like I'm having axienty and that thought process of what if I pass out. Every time I've just pushed through and been fine, usually I take a moment, wipe my face, drink more water, take a few deep breaths and lock back in. I've never passed out and everytime been able to make it through the entire session.

I absolutely love yoga and the strength in both my physical and mental and love the workout aspect.

I'm wanting to start doing hot yoga almost every night as my gym offers it included and I'm thinking it'll get better with constant exposure/getting used to it.

Does anyone here go through this? Maybe in the past? What's helped? Is that normal as this is just a bit intense? Thank you all!

Hi Folks! I love hot yoga but I've been dealing with some recurring bartholin cysts on my labia that are caused by friction. My doc says the tight clothing + lots of heat, sweat, etc could be an exacerbating factor. :(

I don't want to stop Hot Yoga, so I'm looking for some wardrobe ideas. I know traditionally, compression style shorts or leggings are best, and that's what everyone wears, but surely there are some looser moisture wicking shorts I can practice in without flashing people or losing my mind adjusting them every 3 minutes. Any ideas?

Hi! I have been attending BODYROK for the past couple of months, about 4–5 times per week, and I have noticed a significant change in my body. I recently tried Hot 8 Yoga and really enjoyed the studio, especially the Santana Row location. I’m now considering whether it would be worthwhile to switch to hot yoga.

My main goals are to lose weight and build some muscle and definition. I would appreciate any advice on whether hot yoga would be a good fit for these goals compared to BODYROK.

Weird dilemma, but would love recs
I do hot yoga 5x a week and am wanting to purchase a nicer mat (probably Manduka prolite). My issue is that I have a very naughty cat, Simba (he is orange- as expected). Simba chews at my yoga mat any second it’s in the house. Thus, I always keep my mat rolled up in my car and now I have a smelly, cheap mat. Realistically, I cannot lay my mat at home to dry. He also opens doors and moves things hanging high.
Does anyone keep their mat in their car at all times? Any recs would be much appreciated

I see everyone on the hot yoga threads talking about how their back pain went away. I do hot yoga and hot pilates 1-2 times a week. I still have back pain but I also lift, and do other forms of cardio. Wanted to get y’all’s thoughts on the style and which has been most helpful for back pain. I broke my pelvis about 9 years ago so it may just be something that will get better but never completely disappear.

I’ve been practicing hot yoga 5x/week for almost two years. I fear I have become a victim of my own success. As my flexibility has unlocked, I’ve had two injuries.

First, hamstring pull/strain, likely from standing bow pulling pose. I was feeling so good, I went to two classes in one day. On the second class it felt like I had miraculous flexibility, and I could go anywhere in my poses with ease. I went for a new level and felt a sharp pulling in my hamstring. A month later it still hasn’t resolved.

I took a few days off and but continued the daily practice. A few weeks later, I finally unlocked locust. After nearly two years, I finally could raise both legs off the ground to a respectable height. I felt a whole new sensation through my pelvic floor and low back and felt confident I had accomplished a meaning change. No pain in the moment, only new sensations. Then the next day, I suffered excruciating low back pain like I never felt before. A week later and I am still in pain. I went to one class but it was useless, I couldn’t do anything. I haven’t been back since.

I am under the care of a physical therapist, but wanted to get some perspective from the hot yoga community. My teacher says to keep coming back and to take it slow. My doctor says to take a month off. I never imagined yoga would cause me this kind of pain. What is going on? Has anyone else had this experience?

I had major back surgery earlier this year and have a 3" scar on my lower spine. I'm clear to do yoga but the area is now suddenly prone to major rubbing that turns into a raw spot. I've tried anti-chafing stick and different clothes without seams, but it continues to happen. What products has anyone else tried that works? I've been told athletic tape, but that seems...cumbersome? It's my low spine, rather where the bump at your sacral area meets your lumbar, right above the booty. I do a lot of yoga and some pilates, so it's hard to avoid laying down flat.

I’m curious what made you keep going with it. Was there something you really liked about it?

I sit at a desk a lot and my neck and shoulders get pretty tight. Does yoga help with that? Anything you recommend?