So aside from squeezing in some downward dogs while I watch the morning news and dancer poses during the precious moments when I find myself alone during the day, aka in the bathroom, I try to explore new venues and try new instruction. I'd heard a lot about Bikram yoga, and read a few
articles about the fitness benefits.
This is what led me to a stylish studio in one of Seattle’s hottest neighborhoods, mostly because it is one of the only places in town that offers a moderate level class during the thoroughly unglamorous 6 a.m. time slot that I have available.
The sun had barely risen and already the spandex-sheik crowd started filing in. After storing my things in the cozy co-ed locker room, I made my way into the studio. That’s when the shock set in.
It was hot. And I mean instant perspiration hot. Put it this way, as I walked past the thermostat and noticed its 86-degree reading, my first reaction was to ask that someone turn off the heat, for the love of god! It’s only then that I realized that I was in a hot yoga studio.
After fighting the urge to flee to the croissant shop waiting for me down the street, I set up my mat in a back corner where I could hide from the other students who were already blissed out as they stripped off their Prana and Lululemon and began to warm up. Of course, the teacher then ordered me in her oh-so-zen “you haven’t been here, obviously” voice to move to the front row.
My plan had been that, after a light, invigorating morning practice, I wouldn’t even need to shower before heading straight into work. I had even applied mascara and intended to wear my very stylish yoga top over a skirt I brought along to change into. Not so much.
My idealic vision of my impossibly refreshed, radiant, post-yoga self was quickly squashed as my mascara began to run down my face after just one sun salutation in what felt like summer on the east coast. And I’d never had a negative experience with hot yoga. In fact, I had never even taken a class before. In my six years of practice, I had just always assumed that it wasn’t for me.
As my mat quickly became a slip and slide from the sweat that poured from every inch of me, that assumption was reaffirmed.
After dripping through just 45 minutes of the hour and a half class, I decided to sneak out and slip past the dreadlocked-haired receptionist, despite the friendly “No early departures, please” sign at the door. After all, I couldn’t go to my office looking like a poodle fresh out of a monsoon, I reasoned.
Back in my car, still hot and bothered and somewhat disappointed that I had quit, I vowed to give hot yoga another chance, when I had time to shower that is. I’ve since returned to that same studio and now practice there several times a month. I returned with an open mind, and full change of clothes.
It didn’t take long to realize the benefits of hot yoga, which warms the body and the muscles, and can help you to safely and more effectively move deeper into poses. And, for some, the abundance of sweat creates a cleansing, detoxifying feeling. I for one know that I feel like I’ve done a serious workout when I leave a hot yoga class. Even if it means I have to shower afterward.
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