Hot Yoga in West Michigan: What to Know Before You Go
Written by LJ
Welcome to where you belong! If you’re thinking about trying hot yoga, consider this your “first class email” + more in blog form, so you can sign up feeling prepared.
Before You Show:
Booking
We recommend booking ahead, especially for peak class times or Free Yoga Day. This is standard across most studios, and the easiest way to book some Funk is on our app. Your first time, we recommend arriving 10–15 minutes early. That gives you space to check in, ask questions, and settle before class begins. Pssst… for even less rigmarole sign our liability waiver before coming.
If you can no longer make it; please cancel ASAP! We don’t penalize schedule changes, but do ask for courtesy so other yogis can join us!
Never done yoga? Yay! We have some great video breakdowns, as well as full Funky flows on our Youtube. Experience is not required, we’re always prepared to guide your new journey!
Unsure which class is for you? No sweat (yet!) check out our class types for what aligns with your goals!
Some yoga studios differentiate classes by a level/experience system. The Funky Buddha teaching crew utilizes the Dial System while cueing in class, to promote listening to your body:
Dial Up usually refers to incorporating more strength.
Doesn’t always mean ‘harder’! Maybe this is removing an uncomfy addition to a pose so you can focus on depth elsewhere.
Our Eastown Studio is located at 1331 Lake Drive Dr SE.
Parking is located behind the building off Carlton St + ample street parking.
Please refrain from parking in spots with a “Reserved” sign; those are for our physical therapy friends!
Forest Hills Studio is located at 820 Forest Hill Ave SE (less than 10 minutes from Eastown!). Parking is in front of the building in a shared lot!
The Brunch House has amazing pancakes and increases traffic on weekend mornings; there’s additional parking on the side of the building!
Our Holland Studio can be found at 12330 James St.
Plentiful parking is available right in front of the studio in the shared lot.
What to Bring:
Many studios have their own policies, we encourage you to fret less and keep the list simple:
✦ Water (sweat is amazing for dispelling toxins, rehydration is key!)
✦ Yoga mat
✦ Towel (ooou especially for atop your mat, we love those)
✦ Clothes you can sweat, move easy, and feel gooood in
Optional: an extra towel, change of clothes, your favourite hair tie. You can bring your own mat, borrow one of ours, or test one we sell; yoga mats + towel for your first class, on us! (and only $3 after)
Studio Etiquete/Funky Tips:
Our practice rooms are a shared space, and cultivating community takes helping hands. A few simple norms help everyone:
✦ Each of our yoga studios are fully staffed with a front desk superstar! Leave your belongings with a some assurance, ask them about happenings, and check into class with a smile.
✦ Most people practice without socks or shoes; you can leave these, along with any other personal items, in a lobby cubby.
✦ We invite you to unplug and deeply appreciate silent ringers if your phone enters the practice space.
✦ Funky is not a no-talk space, catch up with friends before/after class and say hey to our crew!
✦ Peek at a neighbor if you get a little lost, seriously, “WTFunk” moments happen every day (plus they usually have an idea of what to do or a shrug in solidarity 
)
How Hot is Hot?
Heated to 95° with around 30% humidity, it feels a bit like Florida! Your first time in the Hothouse is when it’ll feel the hottest, you’d be surprised how quickly your body adapts! Check out this blog to learn more about our Hot yoga practice.
If a heated yoga practice is new: (lots of) sweating and extra breaks are normal. At Funky, rest is part of practice. We encourage child’s pose, savasana, and water breaks! Please always step out at any point if you feel unwell–no one expects you to “push through.”
Post Funk
We encourage you to stay for Savasana (or leave extra quietly) and then give your body some gratitude! Hydrate, nourish, and give yourself a minute before jumping back into the day. Hot yoga can be intense in the best way and your body will appreciate gentle recovery.
If you’re looking for hot yoga in Grand Rapids (or Holland), we’d love to be a part of your journey.
