Teacup of Fun - #6a Bikram Yoga

This month I tried something I have been wanting to do for years. I bought a living social voucher for 15 classes, and attended my first of many, Bikram Yoga class.

Where I used to live I would drive by the Bikram Yoga studio every week, and think I would really like to try a class. I never went in because I thought I was not athletic enough or too big to participate. This was one of those moments where I had to tell the voice inside my head to shut up and just try it. The studio I attended was very welcoming, and I especially liked that there were people of varying sizes and athletic builds in the class. I always pictured yoga classes being tiny women with ponytails and super muscular guys. Granted there were a few of those in there, but the ages and styles of people were varied which made it more comforting. Also, the instructor was super nice and welcoming as well. She even came up to me after the class and asked if I enjoyed my first time, and hoped I'd come back.

Bikram Yoga is different then regular yoga as you do it in a studio that is 105 degrees. When I first got there they told me that since this was my first time the goal was just to stay in the studio the entire class time (90 minutes). I was really proud of myself because I not only stayed in the class for the entire time, but I also did most of the moves. At any time I felt like I was getting light headed or could not do a position I would sit down on my mat and just focus on my breathing. I felt like that got me through most of the class of just focusing on my breathing and not how warm it was.

I felt really great as I left the studio and walked to my car. I am one of those people that really likes to sweat because it makes me feel like I had a good work out. I had bought a special hot yoga towel from Target and I was really glad I did. Best purchase I made to do something like this. The towel was soaked, the hand towel I brought to wipe my face was soaked, and my clothes were definitely soaked. Sounds gross, and next time I'll consider bringing a change of clothes, but I definitely felt like I had sweated out some toxins and learned something new.

For anyone that is thinking about trying a Bikram Yoga class I highly recommend it. You have to like to sweat, no really... you have to like to really sweat. Once you get over the initial hurdle of how hot the room is and how how much you are sweating it is a really fun experience. I can't wait to go back again for another class.