6 Things I Learned Doing Hot Yoga for 30 Days Straight

I'm not exactly what you would call the "yoga type." I don't wear leggings as pants, I don't have a yoga-themed Instagram, and I don't talk about my "chakras" and "inner peace" all the time. But, after buying a month-long hot yoga pass, I found myself doing yoga for 30 days straight. Here are 6 things I learned from the experience.

1. Wash Your Face Before Class: If you're a hot yoga newbie, you might not know that you'll be sweating out of every pore in your body. That includes your face. I learned the hard way that if you don't wash your face before class, your sunscreen will run into your eyes and burn like a thousand suns. Not fun.

2. Improved Posture: When you're doing yoga, you must focus on your posture. The teachers are always reminding you to keep your shoulders back, your chest lifted, and your spine straight. After 30 days of hot yoga, I noticed that my posture had improved outside of class as well. I felt taller and more confident.

3. Weight Loss: I wasn't specifically trying to lose weight when I started doing hot yoga, but after 30 days, I had dropped a few pounds. It wasn't just the sweating, either. I found that I was more mindful about what I was eating and how much I was eating.

4. Improved Flexibility: This might seem obvious, but doing yoga every day for 30 days really improved my flexibility. I was able to reach further in poses that had seemed impossible when I started. Plus, it just felt good to be able to move with more ease.

5. Better Sleep: I've struggled with sleeping issues for years, but after doing hot yoga for 30 days straight, I noticed a definite improvement. I slept more soundly and woke up feeling more rested. I think the combination of physical activity and the meditative aspects of yoga helped to calm my mind and body.

6. Community: It might sound cheesy, but one of the best things about doing hot yoga for 30 days straight was the sense of community. Going to the same studio, seeing the same teachers and students every day created a feeling of camaraderie. We were all in it together, sweating it out and pushing ourselves to do our best.

If you had asked me a month ago if I would ever consider doing hot yoga every day for 30 days, I would have laughed. But, the experience taught me so much about myself and my body. Even if you're not the "yoga type," I would highly recommend trying it out. You might be surprised by what you learn.