For better or worse.: Yoga Love

I love yoga. It is amazing. It makes me feel so good and I really believe it is the best form of exercise for me personally. I think I'm lucky to be fairly flexible, and, with my gymnastics and dance background, I'm naturally predisposed to yoga. But, I also believe it's something everyone can do and benefit from in some way, shape, or form.

I have been going to a studio in Portsmouth off and on for a little over a year. Zev Yoga is perfect for me in the sense that it is more of a whole life/lifestyle philosophy than just doing yoga. Yes, I physically want to push myself, improve flexibility, and get better at the postures, but it is mostly about quieting my mind, centering myself, and focusing on my breathing. Really helpful in terms of relaxing and letting things go -- especially with the wedding planning process!

Now that we live downtown, it is easy for me to walk to yoga, I can go straight from work (as it's just up the street - I also walk to work), and it is very affordable compared to many yoga places (unlimited yoga for $25/month for new members for the first year, $40/month after that). The only problem is the schedule is a bit limited, because I work till 6 every week day and sometimes on Saturdays. There are not that many night classes, so I am always bummed if I have to miss Saturday for work, and I never seem to make it on Sundays.

I decided I needed to do something a little more than the gentle intro type class I had been going to once or twice a week. I tried doing some yoga in my living room, with a video on Hulu. It was okay, but let's face it, our apartment is tiny, I had to move furniture, and it really only worked since Johnny wasn't home. I also had to crane my neck a lot to see what I was supposed to be doing. I then started going to the next level class at Zev, which is much more challenging and interesting for me, but unfortunately only fits my schedule one day a week. It also replaces the other class I went to that day, still keeping me at only one or two a week. So, with the wedding (and hopefully honeymoon) less than 4 months away, I made the decision to go back to Bikram.

I was first exposed to Bikram yoga three years ago when I moved back to Portsmouth. A girl I had just met invited me to "go to yoga" with her. I thought "Cool! I've always wanted to do yoga!" She failed to mention exactly what *kind* of yoga this was. I had NO idea what I was getting into.

Luckily, I decided to look at their website real quick before I left work that day, so I had tiny heads up. I downed some water and grabbed a towel when I ran home to change. I felt like I was in a complete daze for that first class. I mean, it was hot. It was hard. But, honestly, I had no idea. I had no idea what I was doing, and don't think it really sunk in that it was over 100 degrees, that I was completely drenched in sweat, and that this was hard. The first day, they tell you to just stay in the room. I'm sure I tried to figure out what the heck I was supposed to be doing with my body, but I actually think I left feeling like, "that wasn't so bad. I can do this. I used to be a gymnast."

Ha. Seriously, Sara??? Well, don't worry, because I went back the next day and got a reality check. There's something about that second class. Whether it's your second class ever, or just your second class getting back into it. I don't know, but it always sucks. Every time. I mean, really. sucks. For me, anyway. I feel like I'm going to pass out or throw up, and just keep thinking I can't do this, I can't I can't I can't. Then, somehow it's over, and I feel amazing.

When I tell people I have done or now do Bikram yoga again, I get a wide variety of reactions from awe to fear. I feel like there are a lot of misconceptions, and some people just believe anything they hear. The truth about Bikram, is that like anything else, it's probably right for some people, and not for others. The other truth, and this is just a personal belief, is that if you really want to do something and believe that it is good for you, you can, and it is.

I mean, I have heard elliptical machines are bad for your knees. Running also hurts my knees. And knees? They don't stretch, and after awhile, have to be replaced if you're particularly unkind to them. Then you have fake knees. I mean, that can't possibly be normal, or "good for you". So if you are concerned about a little heat & humidity while you just stretch your body and breath... well, I am a little concerned about you. There are places in this country (and the world for that matter) that are regularly over 100 degrees and some very humid I am sure. The body has a natural cooling system: it's called sweat. If you are properly hydrated (which, by the way, most people are not) your body will cool itself and adjust to the heat. Then, you're just doing yoga, with somewhat slippery palms.

Like with anything else, you also have to know your body and your limits. If I feel sick or dizzy when I'm practicing, I stop. I breath. I take a sip of water. I lay down in savasana if I absolutely have to. I listen to what my body is telling me - some days it's stop. Others, it's keep pushing, you can do this. And others, like yesterday, it's just, do your best, you need this and it's okay if it's not your best class ever.

On Sunday, I somehow talked Johnny into joining me. The man likes a challenge, and yoga, especially in a super hot room, was definitely a first for him. We have both been working hard to eat right, get in better shape, and stay sane with everything going on in our lives right now, so it turned out to be a great decision. I loved going to yoga with him. I loved him seeing me do something that's important to me and that (sometimes) I'm pretty good at. It doesn't come as easy to him (yoga, flexibility, and all that jazz), but I loved seeing him try, and doing it together. He tried really hard, too, and I was actually impressed how well he did, especially for a first class. I loved coming home all nice and sweaty, in a great mood from the exercise and feeling accomplished, making dinner together, and spending the night relaxing and reflecting on how the practice affected us.

He's on the10-day intro program right now, and I bought a punch card for 10 classes to at least keep going with it for a little while and see how I do. I went during the day off I had Monday and he went Tuesday, then we went last night together. It was a little rough after a full day of work for both of us (I also had a headache and was feeling cruddy most of the day), but it still felt great to do it. I think we are in a great place right now, focusing on what really matters in our life, loving each other, and working at a healthier lifestyle. We are great supporters and encouragers of each other when we get into our groove, and doing stuff like this really brings us closer. I love it! And I love him. I'm a lucky girl. :-)