(Like a) Bikram -- For the Very First Time
Had my first ever Bikram class today (or okay since it was at Fitness First, it should be more accurate to say Hot Flow Yoga).
I didn't think it was that bad at first -- it's like they just forgot to turn the aircon on...but by 30 mins I was contemplating not getting up from my crocodile pose and just lie there face down. I have to admit I hit the Wall pretty hard. I had actually stepped out and contemplated not going back in.
I remembered looking around and thinking "wow these people must like the punishment!" but then again, I didn't really see them as I was too caught up trying to hold the pose and melt gracefully. But soon my breathing got really heavy and I could feel my heart pumping the bass line. I haven't felt like that since a 1.5 hour cardio class!
I get what they say about being more flexible when your joints are warm, sure. But the balancing can be a little more challenging than the usual, and we didn't even do anything extra-hard.
The yogi was the real deal Indian guy -- with an unbelievable flexibility and sprightly for his age -- but I could barely understand a word he said, and neither could my classmates. He had to say some instructions several times and we'd all sort of try to watch each other and follow in case someone deciphered him first. Haha.
Will I go back? I don't know yet. Part of me says I need to try it again just one more time to get the full experience, part of me wants to conquer it, and there's a part of me that says, "Naah, I think I'll just do regular yoga again." Let's see what next week brings.
P.S. I'm writing this at 3 in the AM because I had to go home and get a power nap after the full effect of the session was felt 2 hours later. Geez.
I didn't think it was that bad at first -- it's like they just forgot to turn the aircon on...but by 30 mins I was contemplating not getting up from my crocodile pose and just lie there face down. I have to admit I hit the Wall pretty hard. I had actually stepped out and contemplated not going back in.
I remembered looking around and thinking "wow these people must like the punishment!" but then again, I didn't really see them as I was too caught up trying to hold the pose and melt gracefully. But soon my breathing got really heavy and I could feel my heart pumping the bass line. I haven't felt like that since a 1.5 hour cardio class!
I get what they say about being more flexible when your joints are warm, sure. But the balancing can be a little more challenging than the usual, and we didn't even do anything extra-hard.
The yogi was the real deal Indian guy -- with an unbelievable flexibility and sprightly for his age -- but I could barely understand a word he said, and neither could my classmates. He had to say some instructions several times and we'd all sort of try to watch each other and follow in case someone deciphered him first. Haha.
Will I go back? I don't know yet. Part of me says I need to try it again just one more time to get the full experience, part of me wants to conquer it, and there's a part of me that says, "Naah, I think I'll just do regular yoga again." Let's see what next week brings.
P.S. I'm writing this at 3 in the AM because I had to go home and get a power nap after the full effect of the session was felt 2 hours later. Geez.