New Thing: Hot Yoga

Earlier this week, I did Hot Yoga for the first time with some girls from work.

Oh. My. Goodness.

Have you heard of Hot Yoga?  I hadn't.  Basically it's doing yoga in a really hot room.  The idea is that you will sweat much more in a hot room, which will help rid your body of toxins, or something like that.  I'm not sure I buy that, but I used to take a yoga class in Lawrence (which I LOVED) and when we moved here, I checked into a few yoga classes but came up empty.

Lava Yoga is a new place in town.  You sign up online and you can pay $15 a class (YIKES!) or you can pay $20 and have an unlimited pass for two weeks.  I opted for that one and signed up for Monday night, 7:00.  As I was reading, I discovered that the room used for Hot Yoga was intentionally heated to 99 degrees.  I started sweating just thinking about it.  Yoga is hard enough work as it is - but in 99 degree temps?  I didn't know if I would survive it, considering I am pretty sure I am in the worst physical shape I have ever been in.  I have had this blog for over a year now, but this is the first time I've used the "Fitness" label.  Check it out if you don't believe me - this is the only post under "Fitness."

Monday after school I started getting really nervous.  What had I gotten myself into?  Two of the girls had gone on Saturday and loved it, and they told me I needed four things:

• a yoga mat
• a beach towel (to put over the yoga mat and absorb all the sweat)
• a hand towel (to wipe off face sweat)
• a BIG jug of cold water

I left the house with these in tow, wearing only a tank top and yoga pants, even though it was 34 degrees outside.  I figured the colder I was beforehand, the better, and I guess it was true because the warmth in the room did feel nice...for about two seconds.

I have seriously never sweat more in my entire life.  Not being an athlete, I don't know that I've really ever had cause to, but sweat was literally pouring, flowing, gushing from every orifice on my body.  It was in my eyes, my ears, my mouth - it was disgusting.  But it was so awesome!  I was surprised at how many poses I could still do, and while I fell over plenty of times and wasn't quite able to do some of the poses, it was a great workout, and it didn't feel like an hour and fifteen minutes.

I got in my car and drove home feeling like I was on the yoga equivalent of a runner's high.  I felt great all night and have felt good (though a little sore) the last few days, too!

A few things:

• Next time (this weekend!), I am going to drink more water leading up to it.
• I'm also going to make sure I get a spot by the door.  The instructor opened the doors a few times and it was amazing.
• I should stretch more ahead of time.  I am sore.