Now that you know why I disappeared, I'm sure you'll be merciful when I tell you that I didn't do a whole lot of anything while I was sick. I certainly didn't get my weekly yoga practicing in!
If you remember, I'm doing the Fueled by Faith challenge: I pick a new physical activity that I've never tried each month, and I commit doing whatever each month's activity is at least once a week. I started in October with an at-home yoga DVD. That escalated to a standing weekly yoga date with my future-yoga-instructor friend Janie. (We started up again this week, for the record.) Somehow, she and I decided we were going to take a hot yoga class. A real hot yoga class. I've never taken ANY real, full-length class, not even a regular yoga class...and here I was, talking about hot yoga.
We picked a studio that had a good time for both of us and committed to going. The classes at the particular studio we selected include a series of 26 different poses performed either once (60 minute session) or twice (90 minutes session) in a 105 degree studio. We decided on the sixty minute class since neither of us was sure we had the endurance to last 90 minutes in 105 degrees. Truthfully, I wasn't sure I had the flexibility for 26 poses or the endurance for 60 minutes, but I was going to give it my best shot. It scared me a little. That meant I had to. Faith > fear, remember?
The morning of, I had a coffee date with my bff Krystine, and I roped her into going with Janie and me. We went, and we enjoyed it!! It was tough at first - the heat was heavy and took some getting used to. Janie and I looked at each other with a "yea, right" glance when the instructor told us that after having done hot yoga, we would never want to do yoga any other way. I was sweating instantly, and when I sweat, there's nothing lady-like about me. My towel was soaked through, as was my hair and clothing. I was amazed at not only how I was able to do most of the poses - I mean, I'm shocked at what my body could do!! - but how I truly didn't notice anybody but myself in the room. One of my huge fears of fitness classes is that others will watch me or see that I'm not good at something. People really don't notice that you look like a madwoman when you're doing your burpees or that you make funny faces when you lift heavy weight or that you modified that pose because your leg just does not got that direction. -_- It was uncomfortable for me at first, staring at my body in the mirror for so long - I was very self-conscious of my form, of my flexibility, and of my body in general. I didn't expect that - to be uncomfortable watching myself in the mirror - but within 20 minutes, that discomfort had vanished as I was impressed, again and again, at the power, balance, and strength of my body.
More than anything, though, I was astonished at how I was able to stop thinking and just be for most of that 60 minutes. I have a very active mind. It's often hard for me to slow down and enjoy the moment. If I'm resting, I'm usually thinking about what I need to do tomorrow, about this client or that workout or this message or that text or cooking dinner. In my training, I recently found myself in a place where I saw each workout as a step from point A (where I was) to point B (achieving my physique and competing goals). Living that way takes the joy out of each moment. Those sixty minutes of yoga were so freeing - from thoughts, worries, from life - just breathing and movement. At the end of class, the instructor opened a door that allowed cool air into the room to dance across our sweaty bodies as we lay on our backs. My back and legs felt amazingly stretched out and loose, better than any sports therapy message. It was incredible. I fell in love with hot yoga during the first class. I will probably practice yoga at least once a week for the rest of my life.
I haven't been back yet, but I'm planning to go again with Janie over Christmas break. The three of us still laugh and giggle about the experience and how great it was. I conquered a fear, forged tighter bonds with my sisters in Christ, and found my inner peace and yogini. Faith is definitely the best fuel for life.
As far as my Fueled by Faith challenge, I decided to stick with yoga for the month of October and November. I'm picking a new activity for December soon, and need suggestions!! Feel free to share yours!
Until next time....
TRAIN HARD - LIFT HEAVY - FUEL YOUR BODY - FEED YOUR FAITH
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