Bikram Hot Yoga

This morning was my third class of Bikram Hot Yoga in Tenleytown.   

Hot Yoga is exactly what you think.  It’s hot.  And you do yoga.  I know what you, dear reader, are thinking, “Why the heck would you do that???”

Well, I got a Groupon.  And I’m a sucker for a good Groupon.

But what is Bikram Hot Yoga really like?  

• You go through a series of positions.  Each class goes through the same set of 26 positions.
• The room is PACKED.  They are probably 25 - 30 crazies in one sauna doing yoga.  Yes, people en masse go voluntarily.
• Many of them don’t wear a lot of clothes.  The men are shirtless and the women wear a sports bra and booty shorts.  I, of course, we wear a tshirt and shorts that go to my knee.  
• The instructor does not participate.  She only instructs.  It’s strange.  
• The class is 90 minutes.  That’s a LONG time to stretch in a sauna.
• You will sweat a lot.  Seriously, it’s more than you expect.  And it’s different than any other kind of sweating too.  The sweat pools on your skin and then it slowly drips down your skin.  There isn’t a lot of time to wipe the sweat off because you are trying not to fall from your twisted position.  It’s really gross and annoying.  Let’s just be honest, it’s a self-induced form of Chinese Water Torture.
• You can’t drink water for the first 25 minutes.  I think they do this to torture you more.  
• No one notices if you don’t do well...or, if you are like me, and have to kneel down and put your head between your knees to prevent passing out and making a fool of yourself.  I think everyone is trying to not pass out so they don’t notice if you don’t nail a position. 
• It’s ok if you fall over.  Yes, usually your reflexes are quick enough so you don’t smack your face on your yoga mat, but there are a lot of people who lose their balance and have to start all over.  
• The real benefit, as far as I can tell, is the next day.  You feel so good.  You stand taller, and you are impressed that you didn’t have to go to the ER.  

If you find a hot yoga studio near you, I highly recommend it.  Yes, its kind of expensive, but it’s amazing to know that you can survive, even if you have to stop and regain breath control.  

Have you ever done hot yoga??  Do you think I’m crazy?  

A typical January....

It’s mid-January, dear reader.  Actually, no.  It’s ALMOST February.  I have been quite productive these past three weeks!  My lovable man-friend is going off to play Army in a few weeks, and I must remain as busy as possible.  

In the last three weeks, I have clumsily played three volleyball games, visited the National Portrait Gallery with a wonderful friend, and painted this terrible still-life.  (Please don’t mock me to my face!!)  

The boy and I toured all of NYC in a 48 hour period.  

And, I experienced my first DC restaurant week.  

But what’s next?  I’ll still tutor once a week, and volleyball isn’t over for about a month.  But, I need some new ideas to keep my life exciting as I go back to living alone.  I’ll obviously be glued to the TV watching Barack speak in, what I’m sure will be, a riveting State of the Union address to our nation.  I’m still trying to master iCloud, OS Lion, and the rest of the Apple products I’m slowly converting to.  One of my oldest friend’s is getting married, so I’ll be making a trip to the Midwest for his celebration.  Yet, this is not enough.  

I sent in my volunteer form to serve at my local soup kitchen, but alas, they have not responded.  I found (and bought) a Groupon for a knitting class, but I haven’t picked my dates to begin learning.  I just feel like there are more things that I can do at home that will greatly impact my life and those around me.  

Here are some ideas on ways to keep myself busy in the upcoming weeks:

• I want to bake more.  Momma Martha and I need to spend quality time together.  I even got this beautiful cookbook for my birthday, so I need to put it to use.

• I would like to be a little more creative: painting more or creating projects from my hands.  Of course, my knitting class will definitely help in this department. 

• My reading and writing has exponentially decreased since graduation - maybe I’ll bust out a nice poem for my next blog.  Do you have a preference: haiku, iambic pentameter, free verse?  

• I'd like to research a nice vacation spot for myself.  Maybe I'll even take the leap and go on a trip by myself - one of my life goals!  

So far, I've had an excellent January.  I love being busy and finding new, fun ways to explore my city and life after work.  I have only spent a few hours in my jam-jams watching Teen Mom; yes, it's still an embarrasing guilty pleasure.  But, I'm working on it!