I've been practicing
warm yoga for the past month or so. Warm yoga is a less intense version of
hot yoga (aka
bikram yoga). At my studio, the warm class reaches about 100 degrees, which isn't as bad as you think. The heat makes it much easier to get into the
asanas (yoga postures) & it helps detox the body through sweating. I always feel more relaxed after a yoga session.
Last night I had my first shot at hot yoga -- accidentally! I'm usually busy on Tuesday nights because I have piano lessons. Since my teacher was out of town this week, our lesson was cancelled. I thought, yay, I can make it to warm yoga! But I must've read the schedule wrong because when the yoga instructor walked in, she welcomed us to the hot class & expressed her excitement about the
hot yoga sequence. At that point, my jaw dropped. I wasn't planning on trying the hot sequences until I grew more accustomed to the asanas & the heated room. But it was too late to walk out. Let me tell you, warm yoga barely even compares to hot yoga! In the warm class, I never have to sit out during a sequence, but last night I found myself resting a few times to catch my breath. I think the temperature neared 105 degrees. We switched asanas fairly quickly. It didn't help that I was practicing right next to the studio owner, who of course was in awesome shape & stretched every asana as far as she could!
But by the end, I was really glad I stayed strong & pulled through. Yoga is about finding your own strength, not comparing yourself to others. It's all about your journey. I love that. I felt sooo good at the end of the class. I am definitely addicted now. I don't think I can handle the hot class every time though, so I'll be alternating between warm & hot to be safe.
This addiction is pricey. Hot yoga classes tend to be expensive (averaging about $14+ per class, depending on the studio). I'll keep up with it as long as my wallet lets me. :) I've already invested in one of those fancy
Yogitoes Skidless towels to prevent from slipping & sliding on my mat. I loooove it!
If you're interested in trying hot/warm yoga, please keep a few things in mind:
- The heat can be very intense. Be sure to stay hydrated before & after class. If you have high blood pressure, you might want to check with your doctor before attempting a class.
- Don't push yourself too hard. The heat will help you get into a certain position, but if you stretch yourself too far, it can cause injuries. Listen to your body! Rest if you need to.
- Seriously, leave your ego at the door. Don't try to compete with the person next to you. Everyone has their own path, so focus on your own breathing & postures to get the best experience.
This is my new fave addition to my workout routine. I go at least once or twice a week, so I'm slowly seeing the physical benefits.
What new exercises/classes/etc. have you tried lately?
Hellooo everyone! How are you? I hate to admit it, but I haven't felt the urge to blog lately. Even my bf pointed out that I haven't blogged in a while. Haha! It's not that I don't miss you all or don't want to keep in touch, I've just been busy with life stuff -- work, family, friends, the bf, & possibly going back to school. I've also been trying to save money, so I don't haul or play with makeup as much anymore. Sad day, I know! But a girl's gotta do what a girl's gotta do. I'm making some big changes & I can't wait to move onto the next chapter in my life!
