Yoga has been practiced for thousands of years. While some poses remain the same, others have changed. For example, the mats and music have changed, as have the many new styles people use around the globe.

CorePower Yoga studios are a chain of yoga studios that offers yoga in all 50 states.

CorePower Yoga’s chief of yoga, Heather Peterson, says that CorePower Yoga combines a great physical workout with mindfulness-based yoga. Peterson says it combines traditional yoga classes’ feel-good vibes and flow with the modern music and setting of a franchise gym.

After discovering the potential benefits of hot yoga for heart health, flexibility, and mental well-being, I began taking yoga classes five years ago. According to a review published in 2015 in the journal Evidence-Based Complementary and Alternative Medicine, there is some evidence that yoga classes are suitable for mindfulness and perceived stress levels. This also helps with strength and cardiovascular markers.

My impression of the CorePower chain before I tried it: was like SoulCycle, but yoga.

After trying it, the rhythm is more pop remix than traditional chanting. However, you can still expect an athletic flow of poses and a positive atmosphere. There’s also an emphasis on self-care (it’s still yoga, not boot camp).

Here are some tips about CorePower Yoga

What other information should you have before attending the class? Here are the things I wish I knew.

Find out which class you’re signing up for

CorePower Yoga 2 was a more intense version of CorePower Yoga 1. I tried it. The standard class isn’t heated. I took the advanced course in a heated studio. CorePower Yoga offers Hot Power Fusion and Yoga Sculpt classes, which can be heated.

CorePower Yoga 2 was a fast-paced class featuring some tricky poses (like Crow or Bird of Paradise) and core work. It is comparable to other vinyasa classes.

Yoga Sculpt is an excellent option if you are looking for a class that combines yoga and lightweight training with cardio. Hot Power Fusion is a slower class that will help you strengthen and stretch.

Wear fitted clothing

Many poses we tried involved you being upside down (or bent over). Wear fitted clothes if you want to avoid pulling your shirt and shorts down all day. You want your clothing to move along with your body so that you can concentrate on your movements and your breathing.

Most women in my class wore fitted tanks or sports bras with leggings. The most popular style for men was shirtless and slimmer-cut shorts.

It would help if you were prepared to get up close and personal with other class-goers

Disclaimer: I attended an evening class in New York City. After-work categories are notoriously packed here. The room was packed. You would need about three inches of space between your mat and the floor.

It was not necessarily a negative for me. Everyone could make space, and the instructor kicked nobody in the head. The crowded classroom can be intimidating for novices.

My advice? Get there at least 10 to 15 minutes before the class begins to ensure a spot.

Get ready to go to work.

CorePower Yoga refers to its yoga style as “high-intensity,” and they mean it.

The class was fast-paced and involved many yoga push-ups. The course also required me to balance in a series of single-leg standing postures. The yoga push-ups were too tricky for me to do by the end of class.

However, I appreciated the instructor’s ability to increase the intensity of the poses without requiring anyone to push themselves beyond their limits.

You’re going to sweat.

CorePower Yoga classes are heated. The heat makes the course feel more difficult. Second, you will sweat – quite a lot if you are like me and don’t have a light sweater. Be assured that you’re not the only one. Everyone in my class left the classroom looking fresh out of the shower. Embrace it!

Take a full-size towel to heated classes and use it.

If you take a hot class, all that sweat can be slippery on your mat. Bring a towel to protect your carpet. A significant perk: The studio will provide your first class with a towel.

Pro tip: Don’t wait for your feet to slip during Downward Dog. It will not only help you remain stable while you change poses, but it will also minimize the mess caused by the sweat that will eventually stream off of you.

Get your H20 on the go.

Water is another essential for CorePower Yoga classes that are heated. Peterson suggests you hydrate well the day before, during, and after your course. You need to replenish all fluids lost in the sweet sweat you have produced.