10 days for 10 dollars - Namaste

As some of you know I’ve amped up my workout routine over the last few months. But I’m one of those people who get bored with the same old thing, so I’m always looking for new ways to burn a few calories. My default workout is a standard gym workout – 30-45 minutes on a cardio machine, upper body weights, crunches, etc. But despite my stellar I-pod workout mix (who WOULDN’T want to work out when J-Lo, Kriss Kross, and Barry Manilow all make the same mix?), I’m constantly trying to throw in other random activities here and there to keep things interesting. I’ll do step aerobics, spin class, hip hop, kickboxing, double step aerobics (two benches), and anything else that looks new and different. (I’m still looking for a tennis partner!) My yearning for variety has driven me to desperation - for the past few weeks I’ve even incorporated a weekly run around the neighborhood. I have always said the only time you’ll see me running is if a maniac is chasing me with a butcher knife. Maybe one day I’ll get to the point where I don’t have to pay that guy to chase me with a butcher knife.

So knowing all that, it should come as no surprise that I decided to try yoga over Easter weekend. This is not my first yoga adventure, but it’s been years since I last tried it. So when I went to Sunstone Yoga (shout out to all my Sunstone peeps – holla!!!!) I was signed up for the $10 for 10 days introductory offer. I had really only intended on going that first time, but since I got another 9 days for free, I ended up making a bit more use of the free pass. I have no idea what the difference is between Fire and Wood and Earth and Metal and all the other classes – to me it’s all hot yoga. But I’d still like to share with you all my amateur experience:

Class #1
Saturday April 11, 10AM
60 minutes Earth Series followed by 30 minutes Wood Series
Temperature: 90 degrees
Humidity: 50%
Here are the sequential thoughts that ran through my head:
1. Sick! It’s like 500 degrees in here and reeks of smelly feet!
2. I hope I don’t fart
3. What’s up with this music? Can I get some Justin Timberlake up in here?
4. I wonder how much weight I’m sweating out (see footnote A)
5. I wish someone had told me to not wear a white tank top. This isn’t Spring Break in Cancun
6. Never regaining feeling in the top of my left knee after surgery 10 years ago is making this position very uncomfortable
7. When will this end????

Footnote A: The phrase sweating profusely definitely applies here. My scientific experiment showed (measured via weigh ins before and after) that I shed 1.5 to 2 pounds each class. Contrary to yoga instructors’ advice, I tried to avoid drinking water (or any other liquid) so as not to regain water weight, but found that no mater how much liquid I drank the rest of that day, it was 8-10 hours before I had to pee again.

Class #2
Monday, April 13, 5PM
60 minutes Fire Series
Temperature: 98.6 degrees
Humidity: 60%
Here are the sequential thoughts that ran through my head:
1. Sick! It’s like 400 degrees in here and reeks of smelly feet!
2. Oh look – that guy on the front row works at TI. Awesome.
3. Note to self – must remember to breathe very noisily in yoga so as not to look like the “new girl”
4. I’m pretty sure I saw that little guy in the speedo in Cirque Du Soleil
5. Why is there no music in this class? Not even that cheesy massage parlor Enya crap?
6. That little guy in the speedo was DEFINITELY in Cirque Du Soleil
7. I wonder if the instructor always says she likes the energy in the room or if today’s energy is particularly inspiring?
8. A 44 ounce diet coke with double limes would be REALLY good right now

And this is where I’ll insert the “discussion” I had prior to class number three. I was in the locker room kicking off my flip flops when the following conversation occurred with a woman who was completely naked

Naked Woman: You need to spit out your gum
Me: Oh I always chew gum when I work out. It keeps the saliva going in my mouth
Naked Woman: It’s not good for your facial muscles and mind
Me: Well I really just come to burn some calories
Naked Woman: You won’t get the full relaxation benefit if you chew gum
Me: Relaxation? That’s what happy hour is for!

She did not appear amused, and suspecting at this point that she might be the instructor (which she was), I swallowed the gum. Those yoga people are so serious!

Class #3
Wednesday, April 15, 6AM
60 minutes Earth Series
Temperature: 90 degrees
Humidity: 50%
Here are the sequential thoughts that ran through my head:
1. Sick! It’s like 300 degrees in here and reeks of smelly feet!
2. Ooh – I really like that guy’s tats. Especially when they are glistening.
3. I wish I were chewing gum right now
4. I should really blog about this (followed by trying to remember every thought that ran through my head during this class and every prior class)
5. Whoa! I can do this pose? I should definitely show some dudes.
6. I wonder how critical it is that my foot be exactly at a 45 degree angle. This looks more like 42 degrees. Can I get a protractor?
7. Ahhh – ending with the Happy Baby. I love this one. It feels like I’m in a giant amniotic womb.

An out of town wedding took me away for a few days, but I managed to get one more class in before my 10 days for $10 was up.

Class #4
Monday, April 20, 5PM
60 minutes Fire Series
Temperature: 98.6 degrees
Humidity: 60%
Here are the sequential thoughts that ran through my head:
1. Sick! It’s like 200 degrees in here and reeks of smelly feet!
2. I wonder if second-degree burns due to sunscreen malfunction over the weekend will make this class more painful than usual
3. This gum is good
4. Holy cow I totally thought that lady was a man until just now
5. Yeah – this would be less uncomfortable without a sunburn
6. I need a pedicure
7. My new favorite quote: “A tight body is a light body!”
8. I’m so over this

Surprisingly I did seem to adapt to the heat okay. With each class the room felt less and less suffocating-ly hot. But after every class, when I stepped outside into 65-70 degree temperature it felt like I was jumping into the Antarctic Ocean. Definitely a weird feeling. I only came away with one battle scar – a towel burn on my right kneecap that makes it difficult to shave. Aside from that (and the gum incident), it was an overall semi-pleasant experience. I don’t think I’ll be participating in the 60 day yoga challenge, but I think I may definitely drop in on a class from time to time. For those of you that haven’t tried yoga before, it’s not for everyone, but I would definitely recommend giving it a shot. And just when you think you can’t take anymore, remember there is a light at the end of the tunnel – curl up and suck your thumb and get ready for Happy Baby!

Namaste.