Not sure how many people have ever heard of hot yoga before. I had through some people that I golf with. One of the people there is also an instructor. I wasn't really sure if it was something I could do during the summer, but it sounded very intriguing during the winter. I knew there were a lot of different places that did it, although there are a lot of places that don't only do hot yoga, just variations of yoga and do have hot yoga in the mix. There have been groupons and other deals that have come into my email that I have checked out, but it looked like it was going to be something that was going to have to wait until Gwen was in school full time. The times they usually have sessions were early morning, morning, lunchtime, or evening. That 1-2 didn't seem like anyone was offering it. So I kept it in the back of my mind, and didn't really pay any attention to it.
In having conversations with various people, it kept coming to my mind. Another groupon thing came to my email that was very inexpensive, for an unlimited two month membership to an exclusive hot yoga place. That's all they do. Their room is 105 degrees and it only is about 15 minutes from my house. I figured I would jump. I knew that it wasn't going to be perfect, but with Gwen trading playdates every week with a girl from her class, I figured I would at least try it and then try to make it work when I could during the weekend, early mornings if I had to. Now, after purchasing clothing, gathering the necessary equipment over the holidays from birthday and Christmas gifts, I was nervous, but ready to try it out.
I first went the day before my first workout to know where I was going and get registered. Gwen came with me, and she was excited for me too. I think if I let her into the room, she probably immediately would have not liked it as much, but she knew that I was really pumped, so I knew that was what she was reacting to. Ever since that day, before I had even gone, she was telling everyone she saw that I was doing hot yoga.
So the time had come...I did my best to try to fit in, and also let the instructor know that I had no idea what I was doing. I knew I was not flexible and completely out of shape because I had never, never, NEVER done anything in order to be in shape or be flexible. At least in the summer, I can claim some muscle movement due to golf and walking the course. The instructor assured me that I picked the right session to start with because it was a much slower paced class than some of their others. Also, since it was in the morning, there were fewer people and more space to pick where you wanted to be compared to their afternoon and evening classes.
I got into the class and picked my spot and relaxed on the mat. What a wonderful feeling...like being in a sauna. This was Friday, before the cold snap, so I wasn't chilled, but even if I had, that would all be out the window as soon as I entered the room. During the session, I was confused on many occasions, trying to make sure I heard and processed what we were supposed to be doing, and I was dripping sweat within a matter of minutes. They had a midpoint break, and towards the end, I felt I had probably pushed myself hard enough and had to rest for a bit. At the end...I felt so warm and relaxed and sooo....pumped on endorphins probably. It is a hard feeling to describe. I'm guessing it is that feeling that marathoners or people who do races get when they are finished with their event. I hear it a lot from people that have decided to take up running. That the first time someone does a 5K, it is addictive and you want to do more. I can only guess that that feeling is what I felt. I knew I could never do running, but I'm glad I found something that gives me that feeling. It puts me in a better mood, and I feel so warm for many hours after the session. I went back on Sunday morning, and while that was a very cold day, it didn't feel so bad to me. But also when I went back on Sunday, I had a different instructor, fewer people in class and it was even slower and not as difficult for me to know what was being done and yet this time, I really felt it in my muscles. Even today, two days later, I'm still sore. In my neck, shoulders, and hamstrings. It is cool to think that I could become more flexible and get this wonderful feeling maybe once or twice a week. Maybe it will help my golf game. I'm glad I took a chance and did it.
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