the whole plate.

Yesterday morning, I took my first Bikram class.  I have an unlimited month and will certainly be taking advantage as often as possible [not every day, as the instructor tried to convince me].

I’ve been practicing yoga regularly for almost a year, and I’ve been doing it exclusively since last August.  But this was my first time at Bikram: 90 minutes in a specific series of poses in 100+ degree heat.

The thoughts of a first-timer:

• The heat didn’t really bother me, but this isn’t much of a surprise, as I am happiest on sunny summer days with temperatures pushing 90 degrees.  I know, it’s strange.
• The hardest part was remembering to pack everything in my gym bag – seriously, I haven’t gone straight from exercise to work since I lived in Prague.  Now on top of my bag of food, I had to bring along clothes, makeup, hair supplies, shower supplies, towel, mat…I am not a low maintenance girl.
• Ok, that may not have been the hardest part – class was challenging too.  I do think I work somewhat harder in vinyasa classes because Bikram is  slower, but I also felt totally energized and refreshed afterward, which is always the goal.
• I ate a mini-breakfast before class but got hungry about 25 minutes before the end.  I’ll have to figure that one out.
• I like the idea that the poses are the same every time – there’s something wonderfully comforting about returning to sequences you already know.

a half eaten picture of what one might pack for a second breakfast post-yoga during passover.  a baked sweet potato, with raisins, almond butter, and fage.  it didn’t look any more attractive in person, but still tasted good – in all its oddness.

Most importantly: I’m psyched to go back tomorrow.

The very, very best part of this experience was being in a studio.  I have no problem unrolling my mat on my bedroom floor and moving along to a podcast most mornings.  Aside from occasional weekend visits to Yoga to the People, I have fit yoga in my life thanks to that at-home practice.  But being in the studio is something special.

Yoga is, for lack of better words, my thing.  Some people swim, some people take classes at the gym, some run.  I practice yoga.  Stretching myself out on my mat in that hot studio, I felt like I was exactly where I needed to be.

The poses were familiar, even if the sequence wasn’t.  I knew I had the stamina and the strength.  I knew I could challenge myself, and I did – because I do so all the time.  While I don’t anticipate becoming a die-hard Bikram devotee, and consistent studio visits are not in my current budget, I am so happy that I will be able to do this throughout the coming month.

Enough sentiment for a Friday.  I’m looking forward to a packed weekend ahead, including kosher for Passover dining and baking, some art-y adventures, and a birthday to celebrate.  Plus yoga, of course.

What’s on your weekend agenda?  And any Bikram aficionados out there?

Related posts:

1. power[ful] yoga.
2. active enjoyment.
3. prioritizing.