Bikram Yoga

Last night, I dragged H to a Bikram Yoga class in Manhattan. For those who doesn't know what Bikram yoga is, it is basically Hot Yoga. The room to practice in is set at 105 degrees and 40% humidity. So while you are in that 90-min class, your body is sweating profusely, however, the heat will warm up your muscle, therefore making you more flexible and decrease the change of injury.

let's just start by saying, if I have ever imagine what hell is like, that IS IT. That 90-min class is probably one of the hardest thing I had to endure. The room is so damn hot, once you walk in, it's like they put the entire Southeast Asian and its hotness into that one room. Windows are closed, and everybody's in a itty bitty shorts and tanks.

I started to prep for the class by drinking 1.5L of water from 2 - 6pm (when the class begin). I felt pretty good going into the class and thought, it's yoga, c'mon, how hard could that be?

WRONG! 10 mins into the class, i wanted out. The poses were easy, but it was hard to keep steady and really stretch the muscles. and the sweat, omg, i have never EVER sweated so much in my life. 10 mins into the class, my sports were all SOAKED, then half hour into, my entire tank top was soaked. after i'm done with the class, even the top half of my shorts were soaked. sweat was running down my face, onto my chest. i couldn't even grab onto my arms, b/c it was slippery with all those sweat. it was like you have just finished showering, and you need to dry off, kind of sweat.

the above pose is the only one i cannot do. it hurts my back and i feel nausause, cuz i can't breathe. i think from all these years of inactiveness, i've begun to age my spine. but damn, look at the second picture, that girl is mad flexible!

this is one of my favorite poses, b/c it looks so cool. you are like a tree, but all twisted up. this was hard to get around, b/c, again, my arms were slippery with sweat. but i could stand on my one foot no problem, all you gotta do is tighten your abs, and you can stand on your one foot for however long you want.

I feel like Birkam yoga is just as physical as it is mental. You need to have high concentration and persistence to really hold onto the poses and BREATHEEEEEE..... i cannot believe how easy it is to jsut remember to breathe... b/c when you are stretching or using your strength, most of us hold our breath. like you know, when you are taking a dump, you inhale, hold your breath, and squeeze. but for Birkam yoga, if you stop breatheing, you will pass out. i think 30% of the concentration i used on poses, and the rest 70% was all just "breathe, breathe...." remember to inhale and exhale.

during that 90 min class, i probably sweated about 3 buckets of sweat and streatched muscle i didn't even know i had, and bent in forms i've never been bent before *wink*. it was good though. b/c my shoulder was hurting from lifting weight and yoga really stretched it out for me. this is the second day and i've never felt better. even my coworkers are asking me what kind of blush i'm using, b/c i am GLOWING~~~

i recommand everyone to try it. Birkam has studio all over the world, he even has a college for certification in LA. yes he is a person, a living person. remember to drink A LOT OF WATER, before, during and after the session. wear as little as youare comfortable in. and remember to bring a little summer dress or swim suit cover up, b/c you are going to HAVE to shower right after the class, and then you wouldn't want to be bother with putting on jeans and cute shirt, you will be so exhausted and hot, you wouldn't care to look cute.

i am on a life style changing mode. my goal is not to lose weight, but it is one of the benefits. i want to live healthier and be energized. many more interesting new things to try out in the near future.. can we say Colon Hydro Therapy? =)