The accidental yogi
30 days of Hot Yoga
As we all know, I’m a bit of a lazy yogi. I love the idea of yoga, but actually getting to class every day is a whole other reality. I want to love yoga, really I do. But this Bikram yoga… Ergh. Some like it hot, but not me. I tried it, and I did not like it one bit.
So when Sebastien heard me bitching about Bikram, rather than empathise, he suggested I do a 30-day hot yoga challenge. Whaaaaat? Does he not listen to me? Does he not care about my personal wellbeing and happiness? Why would he suggest such torture? The thing is, I’ve never been able to say no to a challenge… And though he tells me that are 30 days I’ll be hooked, I know I won’t.
I’m just going to do it to prove him wrong…
Day 1: I can’t breathe. I’m going to die. No wait. I’m going to vomit. Why can’t I drink water? What do you mean we have to do each position twice? This is too hot, it CANNOT be healthy. I have too many clothes on. What fresh hell is this?
Day 2: Every muscle in my body is aching and I want to die. But off I go to class, this time with less clothing and a lot of apprehension. The heat smacks me in the face with a vengeance as I enter the room. Why the hell are people so into this freaky class?
Day 3: Oh my god. Torture. I’m going to faint and Sebastien is just saying, ‘don’t give up, don’t give up, just keep trying, don’t stop in the middle of the pose.’ Doesn’t he know I am basically DEAD already?
Day 4: It’s like someone is blasting a hairdryer on me. I must admit, today the heat seems a little more bearable, but the sweating! Ewwwww!
Day 5: What IS that smell? It’s not BO or anything, but after about an hour of practice every day I start to smell a hint of ammonia. Or is it popcorn? Most importantly… IS IT ME?
Day 6: OK, I have too admit, I was naughty and didn’t go to class today. SORRY! I swear my body and my mind just couldn’t take it. The 29-day hot yoga challenge it is then.
Day 7: With eye make up running down my face like a Halloween nightmare (I go to yoga after work so it’s the remnants of my day, it’s not like I am a princess who goes to class with lush lashes), I am finding it very difficult to look at myself in the mirror. But when i don’t look, I find it hard to do the poses. A double edged sword…
Day 8: Geez, this #yogaeverydamnday creates a LOT of washing doesn’t it? I’m going to reward myself with a new outfit just so I don’t have to do another load of washing when I get home tonight.
Day 9: I’ve been trying every spot in the room to find out which is the least hot. Newsflash. They are all hot, hot, hot. Though I must say I prefer the front of the room to the back, which surprises me. I can just focus a lot better when I connect with myself directly, not from a distance.
Day 10: Am I spiritual yet? I am waiting for the hot yoga epiphany to come.
Day 11: OH MY GOD THE WASHING. Have I mentioned the washing?
Day 12: Speaking of washing, all this yoga is ruining my hair. Well, not yoga per se, the constant washing and drying of my hair. Might need to chop it off or invest in some organic shampoo.
Day 13: Though they follow the exact same dialogue every day, every class is definitely different. It’s the energy. I’ve noticed just when you thin.k you’ve had a good class, the next day can feel like your very first time again. Interesting…
Day 14: I thought I was supposed to have more energy after yoga. But I am drained and have to go to bed the second I get home every night. On the plus side, I am sleeping like a baby, and previously I’d always had trouble sleeping. Every cloud and all that…
Day 15: That 3pm creamy pasta was not a good idea. In fact, I’m really starting to notice a difference in my appetite and my cravings. I want lighter, cleaner meals, and am starting to plan my meal schedule around my classes to make sure my body is prepared for the practice.
Day 16: Will there ever be a day I don’t ache? Surely my body has got to get used to all this exercise soon…
Day 17: It’s definitely way hotter in here than yesterday. Sebastien says it’s always the same but why should I believe him? I secretly think he’s torturing me on purpose…
Day 18: Newsflash! I think I love hot yoga!
Day 19: Nope, definitely still hate it.
Day 20: I find myself planning my days around classes. I’m saying no to cocktails and tapas because I know how it will make me feel the next day and I think it would spoil my practice. Am I turning into one of THOSE people?
Day 21: People are starting to tell me I look good when they see me, but i don’t see it myself. And anyway… I’m not doing it to look good, I’m doing it to prove a point. Though it would be a nice side effect…
Day 22: I want a day off. I’ll admit, I’m starting to enjoy the classes a lot more but isn’t every day a bit of overkill?
Day 23: I start to feel quietly confident that I’m ‘getting’ the poses. Maybe it’s not so
Bad after all.
Day 24: I find myself walking through Ibiza town chanting, ‘knees locked, one piece, solid, concret,e lamppost…’ Dammit, this class has gotten under my
Day 25: I kind of forget why I started this challenge in the first place but I can already feel like I don’t want to stop. I am actually feeling stronger and stronger by the day. Healthier too. Not so much as a sniffle!
Day 26: After class today I feel like I’m floating out of the studio. I just feel so…. Happy!
Day 27: I had a really stressful day at work today. And instead of complaining, crying and working overtime to fix the problems, my first thought was, I’ve got to get to the studio, no matter what.
Day 28: The end is in sight. But, I don’t wan’t it to end! Sebastien assures me that it’s totally normal to want to extend your 30 days to 60 days…
Day 29: I wake up in the morning – early by the way – and I spring out of bed. I wonder if I could fit two classes in one day… That’s how much I am enjoying it.
Day 30: OK, Sebastien… I admit defeat. You were right, I was wrong. Hot yoga is not hell on earth and it does make a huge difference if you practice every day rather than a couple of times a week. I feel stronger, more toned and my skin is clear and glowing, and my eyes are white but most importantly for me, I just feel so remarkably alive and happy. So I’ll see you tomorrow… And the next day. And the next day. And the day after that too!
