Hot Yoga

This past year I’ve been trying to challenge myself to do things on my Reverse Bucket List.  These are either things I never really considered doing at all, or things I had previously ruled out.  The latest thing to be added to my list is Hot Yoga. I think when I first heard of Hot Yoga it sounded like something right out of a steamy sex scene in a movie.  And it probably didn’t help that the nearest Hot Yoga shop near me is next door to a lingerie store called “Lovers”.  Fortunately (or unfortunately, depending on your viewpoint), Hot Yoga is exactly as advertised—a very particular discipline of yoga instruction that takes place in a hot room.

 

My Way Or The Highway

Hot Yoga is sometimes called Bikram Yoga for its founder, Bikram Choudhury, who designed and then copyrighted the course content.  In each session an instructor leads the class through a series of 26 positions.  Each position is done in a specific order inside a room, which has been heated to a temperature of 90-100 degrees.  If it’s not done this way, it’s technically not Hot Yoga.  The place I go to is appropriately named “The Sweat Box”, and as you might have guessed, winter parkas are not recommended!

 

Not Interested

I’d heard of Hot Yoga a couple of years ago, but other than imagining yoga in a hot room I knew little more. And quite frankly what I did hear just didn’t appeal.  Like many runners, I tend to gloss over the stretching side of the sport. You see, stretching done right takes time, and unless something starts to hurt I just never quite fit it into my schedule.  Of course, the moment an injury threatens I STRETCH, STRETCH, STRETCH!  I suppose it’s a little like all that flossing I do right before going to the dentist—it’s meant to be done on a critical as-needed basis only.

 

RBL It

Thus, stretching (and therefore any type of yoga) has never struck me as activity I could call work-out worthy.  Okay, I can now admit I was completely off-base on that notion, but my point was simply this:  Since yoga involves stretching something other than my imagination, it never really called to me.  This made it the perfect addition to my Reverse Bucket List.

 

In The Cards

It’s funny how the universe starts to align once I envision trying something new.  (1) Out of the blue, a friend of mine started espousing the benefits of Hot Yoga.  (2) After looking into it, I discovered The Sweat Box was just a short distance from our house.  (3) I was so overstressed at work my shoulder was giving me constant grief, and I knew I needed to do something for it. (4) My hubby said I should quit talking about trying it and just do it.

 

I Don’t Wanna!

Even after making the decision to go, it was still harder than I expected to get out the door. I admit it—I was afraid. I was afraid of looking silly because I didn’t know how to do it. I was afraid I wouldn’t be able to do it. And I was also judging myself for ruling out yoga in the past.   Still, as I continued working up my nerve and kept droning on about it with Hubby, he finally threw up his hands, rolled his eyes, and then did that thing where he lifts an eyebrow.  At that point, I was pretty sure I reached a point I would either have to go to the class, sleep on the couch or never ever mention it again.

 

A Tad On The Toasty Side

Boy, they aren’t kidding when they say it’s hot yoga.  From the moment I entered The Sweat Box, I started dripping perspiration.  Let me tell you when they say it’s hot, they mean it’s HOT—as is oven hot, roasting hot, or maybe even fry an egg on the sidewalk hot!  And don’t think for a minute it’s going to be a dry heat, either.  Especially, not with all those other sweaty bodies all around.  I’d call it more humid than not, and did I mention it was hot?

 

Not So Bad

In all fairness, the class was fun.  My instructor was great and even for a brand new person it was fairly easy to follow along as everyone tried the positions. Some of the poses I can’t imagine that I’ll ever be able to master, but I didn’t fall over on my face or get a cramp in my leg so I’d call it a success.  And by the way, there is a reason for all the heat as it does help your muscles relax and thus prevents injury.

 

Drink Up

On my second day, I found the class was much harder.  I attribute the added difficulty to insufficient hydration.  In retrospect, I probably should have pumped more fluids before going back.  As it turned out, I stopped sweating during class, which not a good thing when it’s that warm.

If you decide to try it yourself, you’ll want to bring your own yoga mat or you’ll end up renting one at class.  Also, make sure to wear appropriately loose or stretchy clothing, a sweat band is a great idea, and bring a towel.

 

Check One More Off My RBL

I plan to go back a couple more times before deciding this sport’s really for me, but I will say it’s definitely work-out worthy, and I do feel a bit looser overall.  Hot Yoga!  Now, who’d a thunk I’d ever do something so steamy?

 

By Carol Austin
© 2011 Javabird LLC.  All rights reserved.

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If you enjoyed this post, you may also want to read:
My Reverse Bucket List
Mr. Gates, Mr. Swirly & Interior Design

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