Congratulations!
You’re thinking about taking your first Hot Yoga Milwaukee class! Or maybe you just took your first class and you’re looking for a few tips. We’re here to help! Here are some helpful tips for first timers or newer yogis…
First Timers
Getting started:
- In order to take class with us (yay!), we’ll need some basic information about you first so we can enter you into our booking software. We’re excited to meet you! To sign up for classes, you’ll need an account with Mindbody, which is the class booking software we use. If you have a Mindbody account, great! If not, click on Mindbody in the menu above and follow the “create account” link to set up a new account.
- Important: When creating a new account or signing up for class, you’ll be asked to electronically read and sign our waiver. Please make sure to sign the waiver prior to coming to class to save time! (Note: you won’t find our waiver through the Mindbody app: You’ll either need to go to the Mindbody website (in the menu above) or use our Hot Yoga Milwaukee app.) Under 18? You’ll need a signed waiver from a parent or guardian.
- Once you have an account set up (or if you already have one), simply choose a class from our schedule in the menu above and follow the prompts. TIP: Our Intro Special is the best deal we have! For $69 you’ll get UNLIMITED CLASSES for a whole month!
Before coming to one of our studios:
- Signing up for class beforehand through our app is highly recommended. Classes fill up and are limited in size, so signing up early ensures you have a spot in class. Note: If you can’t make it to your scheduled class, you’ll need to cancel at least four hours prior to class time in order to avoid a late cancel no-show fee! (Other yogis want that spot in class, so please don’t block it if you know you can’t make it!)
- Stay hydrated starting a few hours before class, and try not to eat any big meals for a few hours prior to arrival.
- Wear clothes that you’re comfortable sweating in.
- A mat and a large towel that covers your mat are required for every class in our studio. (We offer mat rentals for $3) If you have a mat/towel combination, please note that an actual yoga mat is required underneath your mat/towel. Please bring extra towels if you’re a heavy sweater, and a hand towel to wipe your face, if necessary. If you find yourself leaving puddles on the floor, please bring more towels clean up the area surrounding your mat to assist our staff in keeping our space safe and clean.
- Bring a plastic or metal bottle of water (or buy a water from us, we have several sizes available)…No glass bottles allowed due to breakage.
- If you plan on a quick shower after class, bring a towel. (We have shower towels for rent for $2)
You’ve arrived at one of our Hot Yoga Milwaukee locations 15-30 minutes before class:
- Masks are optional everywhere in our studios: including lobby, changing rooms, and yoga rooms.
- Please remove your shoes once you enter since the studios are bare-feet friendly.
- Check in at the front desk with one of our friendly staff members.
- For first timers, you’ll need to sign the waiver electronically through our app or though the MindBody website when you sign up for class.
- Please let the staff or teacher know of any physical challenges that you are experiencing that day so proper modifications to the postures can be provided.
- Head into the locker room to change if you need to. We have cubbies, lockers, hooks, and hangers for you to store your stuff during class. Please do not bring any valuables in the studio. HYM is not responsible for anything lost or stolen.
- Cell phones, bags, purses, and any other personal items aren’t allowed in the yoga room, so please leave those with your other things in the locker room.
- Please put your smart watch in theater mode (or just take it off) during class so that it doesn’t make noise or light up during class.
- Please take off any noisy jewelry and don’t use any strong scents.
- Grab your mat, towel, water, and head into the yoga room!
5-10 minutes before class. Time to head to the yoga room:
- The front desk staff can direct you to the correct room depending on which class you are attending. (Check out the “Classes” page to see descriptions of all of our classes including room temperature & humidity.)
Inside the yoga room:
- Put your mat down on the floor with the front of your mat centered on one of the numbered dots on the floor.
- Lay your towel down on your mat, making sure that the mat/towel does not cover the circle sticker on the floor.
- Yoga etiquette is to keep the noise to a minimum to avoid distraction, but please feel free to have quiet conversation before class begins (after class etiquette is to remain quiet until leaving the yoga room).
Class begins!
- During class, listen to your body and be safe. Discomfort is normal and somewhat expected during any workout, but sharp or severe pain is not and should be avoided.
- Please follow the directions from the teacher to the best of your ability on that day and move with the group.
- If you need to rest, feel free to sit down, take a savasana (lay on your back), or move into child’s pose (kneeling with your head down in front of you).
- Try not to leave or re-enter the room during class. Doing so can be distracting to others and moving in and out of the hot room will not allow your body to fully adjust to the heat and receive the benefits of the practice.
- As a beginner to Hot Yoga Milwaukee, it’s completely normal to spend some of your first few classes sitting down or lying on the floor, acclimating yourself to the heat. With time and a few more classes, you’ll be amazed at how your body adjusts to the climate and even starts to crave it. Stick with it!
After class:
- Our studio closes 30 minutes after class.
- Feel free to sit for a few minutes in the lobby to cool down.
- You can also shower and/or change in the locker room. We have hair dryers available.
- Chat with some of the other yogis and find out why they love hot yoga and ask them about their first class. Everyone has a great story about their first class!
- You are welcome to take your time when leaving, but please remember our studio closes 30 minutes after class.
You did it! Yay you!
Congratulations, you made it through your first hot yoga class. Your body and mind thank you! Don’t forget to continue to hydrate throughout the rest of your day to replenish your body. Enjoy that feeling of well-being and calm that so often follows a Hot Yoga Milwaukee class. We hope to see you again soon!