I Tried It: Bikram Yoga

Armed with some bravado and two friends, I attempted Bikram yoga last night.

(Psst: That's also known as hot yoga, usually a 90-minute practice in a room heated to 105 degrees.)

I think our class was a beginner class, so it was heated to 90 degrees and it was an hour-long practice of Vinyasa yoga. (Psst: Vinyasa yoga is more about flowing between poses rather than practicing them separately. Think: sun salutes and such.)

There is a yoga studio offering a free week of classes in a yuppie neighborhood in St. Paul (lovely, but definitively yuppie). I was a little reluctant to leave my "You can do it!" atmosphere at the Y for something I knew would be a little more serious and competitive. And laced with teeny-tiny girls with amazing flexibility and balance. But, I thought, life is short, say yes to adventures (especially with friends), do one thing every day that scares you, and I've been doing yoga for a year now, so it's time to put it to the test.

I was right about the atmosphere. One friend noted that she felt like she was in the middle of a clique and didn't fit in. That's why you do these things with friends, if you can. ;) The class was packed, and there wasn't enough room to fully feel like you had enough space. Like, I could reach out and touch my neighbor, who didn't know me, and most definitely would not appreciate my sweaty limb on hers.

My other deal was the instructor. She was nice, and maybe even helpful, but she was way too cheerleadery for my taste. Not that it has to be super hippy-dippy chakra examination talk, but it was hard to stay in the zone when she was saying, "Noooow, iiiiiinhale! EEEEeeeeexhale!" as though she was at a pep rally. And she sounded a little scripted. But I did like that she kept the focus on moving forward, letting go, and realizing you aren't always going to do everything perfectly. I need that reminder, often.

The gym was nicely appointed, and there were many drool-worthy items from Lululemon and other swank gym accessories/clothing companies in the shop area. The locker room was like a spa.

The hot yoga room itself wasn't as suffocating/saunalike as I expected it would be. Although my heart was racing like two sun salutes in, I assume in response to the heated room. The lighting was nice and dim, there was ample mirror space, and I liked the music they played (if it was a little loud).

About halfway in, I was really, really sweating. As in, dripping on my mat. I didn't mind the sweat (that's part of the point) as much as it was physically problematic for my mat and my hands and feet staying in place. I had a hot yoga towel, but it didn't have the little skid bumps underneath, like the fancy ones the sell in the lobby. I would not suggest the Gaiam quick-dry towels they sell for this purpose at Target, if you're worried about your footing at all. It just slides around too much on the mat. But it DOES have great sweat-vacuum properties and though it's yoga-mat shaped, could be good for gymming overall.

There were a couple of poses I just couldn't quite get through—probably because I haven't been hitting the gym as much lately. BUT, I felt a noticeable difference in my flexibility. Like, I TOUCHED THE FLOOR last night in a forward fold, people. I've only done that one other time in all my yoga history and I swear it was a fluke, or that I dreamed it. I TOUCHED THE FLOOR! (Cue Rocky theme here.)

I also—and this doesn't quite make sense to me logically—felt more balanced during the tree pose and other balance poses. Maybe just because my muscles thought they were hanging out on the beaches of Hawaii instead of a cold gym in the middle of winter. As a total freezebaby, I loved the heat.

Overall though? A nice free hour of yoga. An escape from the icy clutches of winter. An hour of sweat and exercise. Time with two friends who I don't get to see nearly often enough. And the realization that I CAN keep up (mostly) with fancier places. I CAN do this.

Namaste, bitches!