I’ve recently discovered yoga.
Now I’m certainly no expert.
I’m still a serious beginner.
But I have attended a bunch of different kinds of classes.
There are several different types of yoga.
There is the mellow, meditation-y kind.
The kind where you feel like you are receiving absolutely zero physical benefits. These are often called “restorative” classes.
They restore a little sanity and balance to your mind.
Then there are the classes where you are doing more stretching than strength-building poses. These are often referred to as “hatha” yoga classes.
You probably won’t break much of a sweat, but you will leave the class feeling looser and longer.
These, too, may feel like a joke to the hard core athlete, although I think they are super-beneficial to your body’s recovery process.
Then there are the “vinyasa” classes.
These are tough.
You will hold poses until you are shaking, and you will likely be sore the next day.
These classes can vary.
You won’t always do the same poses, but whatever you do will kick your ass.
So it’s a good class if boredom is an issue for you.
Next there is hot yoga.
The principal behind hot yoga is that you cannot stretch cold muscles, so the rooms are heated, usually to around 95 degrees.
The poses and routines can vary, the rooms may be light or dark, and there may be music playing.
You will definitely get a good workout. But you still get some variety.
And then, there is the next level.
Bikram yoga.
I tried this for the first time a couple weeks ago.
I was petrified.
I didn’t know too much about bikram yoga, except that,
as CCB put it,
it was “really fucking hard.”
This was coming from a 22 year-old, Division 1 swimmer.
I was scared.
Bikram yoga is like the control freak of yogas.
There is no variation.
There are hard and fast rules.
There is no talking. No interaction. No music.
No relaxation.
The Bikram yoga studio is heated to 105 degrees and kept at 40% humidity.
The room is carpeted, and the lights are all on.
It smells like ass in there.
There are 26 poses you move through.
The same 26.
Every time.
No variation.
And there is a specific dialogue the instructors must follow.
Every time.
The same exact dialogue.
No variation.
The first time you go, the goal is “just to stay in the room.”
The instructor recites the same exact dialogue, the same exact routine, pretty much as fast as he or she can.
There is nothing calming about this class.
It feels rather similar to attending an auction in the fires of hell.
Bikram yoga is not for everyone.
It’s probably not for most people.
But it sure is an exercise in mental strength.
In fact, attending a Bikram class has been described as walking into a “modern day torture chamber.”
It is one of the hardest things I have ever done.
I wouldn’t say I’m a Bikram addict.
Or that I love it.
Or that I even like it.
But I’m going back for more.
Because if I can master that Bikram yoga class,
then there is absolutely nothing I can’t handle.
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