I rushed to the Yoga Studio after work. As I drove there, I couldn't quite place my emotions. I was nervous, scared and excited. I was nervous because I had mentally prepared myself to be one of the only chubby bunnies in the class. Well, I was kinda right. I walked in about 3 minutes late, which is a big no-no in Yoga. The instructor was a friendly and flamboyant guy in his mid 30s. He had a sort of energy that exuded from within. He was clothed in yoga micro-mini shorts, which initially made me a bit uncomfortable, only to realize that it was me who was overdressed. I wore shorts to class, nobody told me that there was an unwritten dress code that marked bathing suits as acceptable. Now I know.
So let's get to the good part. The Class. It was 90 minutes of sheer torture...yes, torture. The heat was excruciating. If hell is a place, then I know how it feels. The first 20 minutes of the class were bearable. At times I caught myself proudly half-assing the yoga poses, "I can do this", I thought to myself. Somewhere around the 40-60 minute mark, I decided I was dying. I really thought I was going to start hyperventilating. Just imagine, 48 people in a 105 degree room. My oxygen supply was on low, I was surely convinced. Just when I thought I couldn't go on, the instructor tells us to lay down: dead body pose. The name seemed all too appropriate, a sort of premonition. My body was slowly dying, giving out..... He then stated, "the hard part is over, relax". I couldn't believe I had survived 60 minutes in this cave of human humidity....I was dripping wet, or dripping sweat I should say. It was ridiculous. I actually formed a circle of sweat around me which my towel had absorbed into a damp mess. The class ended around the 93 minute mark, not that I was counting but hey, didn't they say it was a 90 minute class!! On my drive home I tried to convince myself that the class was not at all that great. It was kind of like a sauna with yoga. I was too busy trying to overcome heat exhaustion to notice any strain in my limbs.
I got home, fixed myself a turkey, tomato, onion, spinach, avocado sandwich (340 calories). I was beat. I also felt strange, almost emotional.
I lay in bed peacefully and something came over me, a wave of sadness, joy, anger... I couldn't tell. I shed a few tears and dozed off into sleep. Why? I still don't know.
I awoke refreshed and triumphant. I did it!! I conquered a 90 minute hot yoga class! I will be back to that hell hole, that doubles as studio tomorrow. I think I liked it. I'm still trying to figure it out. :)
FOOD
I always overestimate the calories I consume, just to stay on the safe side
I'm pretty sure I did not consume 195 calories worth of dressing but better safe than sorry.
.PNG)
If you've ever tried hot yoga I would LOVE to hear about your experience.
.PNG)
.JPG)