Hot Yoga

Hot Yoga.

Before I start, you might want to know what in this world could have possibly motivated me to try it. I admit, it does sound kind of scary, once you get the full description. Well, I started because I do pilates at the same place. And I started that because I dance, and I want to condition my muscles. So I guess everything comes down to dance. Actually, I've heard rumors that dancers really started taking hot yoga seriously after Slavik Kryklivyy, a world finalist professional dancer, started doing it himself - and discovered that it helped his dancing.

Now, onto my experience.

And what an experience it was. I can safely say now that I know what clouds feel like when they rain water down on us below. Wow, I have never sweat so much in my life. And I never knew that you can actually do exercise in 98 degrees. Of course, it was more posing and stretching than exercise - but add the 98 degree temperature and you get a full workout like you've never done before. My first class, yesterday, felt like hell - the heat got to me about halfway, my legs and other parts of my body started falling asleep (I guess my body circulates blood less in high heat), and I didn't feel so great when I walked out of the room because the A/C wasn't on in the rest of the studio and it was still hot outside.

Today, I decided to try hot yoga for the second time. Yes, I'm crazy, two days in a row. Surprisingly, the room felt nowhere near as hot as yesterday - my body was able to adjust to the heat faster. I also knew some of the poses and their names, so I felt more confident and found that many of them came more easily to me. Best yet, at the end of the class, we were given about 5 minutes to just lie flat on our backs on top of the mats while the room cooled down. It was extremely peaceful, and I didn't want to move a muscle - and I definitely didn't want to get up and leave. When we walked out of the room, we found that the A/C had been turned on in the room outside - and it felt absolutely amazing. My entire shirt was so drenched in sweat that it changed colors. I might as well have taken a dip in Crystal Lake.

So, overall, I highly recommend hot yoga. I felt, and looked, as if I had lost several pounds by the end of the lesson. I also felt thoroughly relaxed and conditioned. I truly think I am a hot yoga addict, and I can't wait until next time.

Try it - and make sure to try it twice!