February 26, 2008 - 4:02 pm
Normally I wouldn’t have given it a second thought… but when my friend Beth invited me to a yoga class on Sunday morning, I thought about my recent commitment to the Fit Friends and said, “why not?”.
After all, yoga seemed like such a gentle, relaxing way to slide into the day.
And Hubs said he was happy to say home with the brood. (He has been so supportive of my efforts to get back into shape.)
The class was at the crack of dawn. Well O.K. - but 8am does seem like the crack of dawn on a Sunday morning. Especially when one has to go out there and face the world without a pot of coffee first.
Beth was waiting for me at the studio. She was wearing an itsy bitsy teeny weenie pair of tight shorts and a sports bra. She had told me they kept the room quite hot, so I had chosen to wear loose sweat pants and a T-shirt. But when I walked into the yoga room I felt like the only person wearing a swimsuit (a one-piece swimsuit) on a nudist beach. And the HEAT!!!
Beth had called it Hot Yoga, and I had envisioned gently stretching in a lovely warm room. Not this! I thought I was going to pass out. So I lay down on my mat and towel and prayed that it would go by quickly.
Beth, who was lying next to me, smiled reassuringly and said not to worry, that I’d get used to the heat. After a few minutes the instructor came in and everyone got up. And the torture began.
For the next 90 minutes I spent more time lying on my mat wishing I hadn’t drunk quite so much wine last night, or that I hadn’t stayed up till 1:30am with Hubs watching movies, than I did doing any actual yoga.
The instructor came over and told me it was quite normal to feel a bit dizzy after some of the postures and that I was doing great for my first time! FIRST TIME! It will be the only time unless you drug me first and bring me here unconscious.
Having said that, in between lying down and feeling like crap, I did get my body into some positions that I never thought possible. And I sweat 10 gallons (at least).
When it was all over, and I had recovered somewhat, I have to say that I did feel quite good. But not good enough to put myself through that again….
So, as far as finding interesting ways to get exercise where I don’t die of boredom….. it’s back to the drawing board.
If you’re a Fit Friend too, how’s it going?
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I love yoga. LOVE IT. but the only nearby yoga studio (and by nearby I mean between my daughter’s school and my house) is a hot yoga place. I won’t do it. It’s insane evil torture cooking your slowly while you work.
I’ve done really well with my work outs until Sunday when the sick beat me down and I’ve been in bed for 3 days now.
February 26th, 2008 at February 26, 2008 - 5:07 pmCami, that is a PERFECT way to describe it!
Sick for 3 days - what are you doing out of bed? Get back in there right now (and feel better), Missy!
February 26th, 2008 at February 26, 2008 - 5:14 pmNot so good this week. I’m using sick kids as an excuse, but it really is just an excuse. I mean I’ve managed to find time to sit on my butt in front of the computer.
I’ll do better tomorrow.
Exercise of almost any kind after drinking wine the night before is excrutiating for me.
February 26th, 2008 at February 26, 2008 - 8:58 pmI’m not a fit friend, but I share the same goals. I’ve done hot yoga too, and for some reason, I enjoyed the torture (spot on description, by the way).
February 27th, 2008 at February 27, 2008 - 8:36 pmUgh…bikram yoga (hot) is hell. I get it in theory, after all my boody feels all loose and wonderful when I get out of a 104 degree hot tub so why not a 104 degree room? But now way. I had what felt like a total claustrophobic attack about 1/2 way through - felt like the room was closing in on me and I couldn’t breathe. I had to leave to get a breathe of cool air. I’ll stick to sweating of my own free will thanks. But good for you for trying it!
February 29th, 2008 at February 29, 2008 - 8:07 pmWe have a hot yoga place nearby, too - and I will. not. do. it. Nuh uh. I don’t mind getting a little sweaty, but I’d rather it be from sheer exertion and not from the temps in the room, thanks!
March 2nd, 2008 at March 2, 2008 - 10:42 pmMy cousin went to her first yoga class years ago. She and her friend got there late, so they snuck in the back and she was DYING. She thought, “Shit! I am REALLY outta shape!” among other choice words.
At the end of the class, the instructor came up to her and her friend and said, “I just wanted you guys to know, you did really well for an advanced yoga class!”
Oh whoops and my own workouts are going just fine! It got warm here and will be tomorrow, too - which is nice cause I am sick of doing my own yoga indoors! I like being able to get OUTSIDE and walk and run around.
March 2nd, 2008 at March 2, 2008 - 10:43 pmWell I’m glad I’m not the only one who thought Bikram was hard. Thought I was just getting whimpy there!
Sybil - that’s funny about the advanced class
March 3rd, 2008 at March 3, 2008 - 10:06 am