Ouch, ouch, ouch...
Posted: Nov 07, 2007
A few weeks ago Samara’s mom Lorraine invited me to join her for her weekly yoga practice at the Open Door Yoga Studio here in Raleigh and, having wanted to give yoga another try, I gratefully accepted.
Given that the last time I practised any form of yoga was probably 15 years ago, I figured I’d ease myself back into it with a hatha class called Simple Yoga which I really enjoyed. After a few sessions of that Lorraine asked if I’d like to try the Bikram class, and I had my first class yesterday.
I’d read through Bikram’s book a bunch of times, but putting yourself through the actual class is something else entirely. I can’t remember the last time I pushed my body through something so hard. Hitting the gym? Running? Cycling? All of that was a piece of cake compared to Bikram.
The heat got to me a few times so I had to sit out a few of the poses, and my hamstrings and hips are ridiculously tight these days so I’m about as flexible as a board, but it still felt absolutely amazing to push myself through the discomfort I felt moving my body in the way the poses dictate.
After the 90 minute class I felt exhausted and exhilarated at the same time. A long soak in an epsom salt bath last night seemingly didn’t do much to cure my aches and pains because today I hurt everywhere, but you better believe I’ll be clearing room in my schedule to practice Bikram three times a week from now on.
Here’s to getting back into the best shape of my life. Wish me luck—my knackered old bones are gonna need it.
