Feeling Hot Hot Hot!

I'd avoided Bikram yoga from the time I first learned about it back in '04 until now. While the thought of doing 90 minutes of yoga in a room heated to 105 degrees might sound appealing to some, as a general rule of thumb, I've always tried to steer clear of activities that made me feel nauseous, dizzy, and like I was going to die.

However, I'm someone who is able to keep a slightly ajar mind and after listening to my friend Amy hailing the praises of Bikram Choudhury, week after week, month after month, I decided to give it a go.

The night before, I put a large bottle of water in the freezer and packed my hot yoga bag, with towels, face wipes, and an extra t-shirt. The next morning I was ready to yoga! I get to the studio, take of my shoes, sign in. When I get into the room, its nice and warm. The lights are dimmed. I roll out my little mat, place my towel over it, and lay down. I feel at peace.

Suddenly my serenity is interrupted by a male voice, Paul, our instructor, and florescent lights. And did the room suddenly get warmer?!

We do some breathing exercises and then he jumps right in. From the very beginning I was struggling. I'm not sure if it was the actual poses or self fulfilling prophecy but I couldn't do the simplest of moves. I'm talking not being able to hold my hands up above my head. My inner child was red with shame. And the heat. Oh the heat. The room was getting hotter with each passing minute and I was becoming more and more delirious. I didn't know which way was up.

Paul looks at me at one point and says, "Kara left arm over right and wrap around."
I look at him and put my right arm over my left.
"No, your left."
I unravel my arms. Then I put my right arm over my left.
"No your LEFT arm over your right."
Beads of sweat are coming down into my eyes blinding me. I'm feeling faint and his words sound like grown-ups on Charlie Brown. I blink and stare, but I have no idea what he's saying to me. "Left arm over my right?! What does that even mean?"

After a few more tries I eventually get it, but it still made no sense to me. None of it made any sense.

I needed water. But apparently you can only drink water at certain times during the session. I found this our as I reached for my water. Paul says, "Not yet. Find your breath. Just find your breath."

Find my breath? "Since when does breathing take the place of water?!" I wanted to ask. I stared longingly at my Smart water as I transitioned into the next pose.

With about 20 minutes remaining Paul says, "Doing good everyone. Kara you're half way through. Keep up the good work." I hear some chuckles from the others. Then he chuckles. "Just kidding. We're almost done."

Well well well... If it isn't Paul... the funny man. I give him a terse grin.

When we finally finish I just want to leave. But we're encouraged to decompress. I sit, drinking my now warm Smart water, waiting for Amy.

As we get into the car, Amy asks, "So how do you feel?"
I look at her, still a little disoriented. "I need to process what just happened to me."
She laughs. "Just wait until tomorrow. You're going to feel it."
I'd better.

I woke up the next morning hoping for resolution. I wanted every muscle in my entire body to be sore. Only then would what I put myself through the day before have made any sense.

What ached on me? My lower back and the area behind my shoulder blades. Not quite the areas I was hoping to tone up before Beach Week, but I guess its better than nothing. Still, I don't think Bikram yoga is for me. While it gives new meaning to "feel the burn" I think for now, I'll stick with the old.


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