It made me throw up

What did?

Bikram yoga, that's what.

Bikram is a form of yoga that moves through 26 poses in either a 60 or 90-minute period. The room where Bikram students practice is heated between 105 to 115 degrees. Students are advised to drink 32 ounces of water before entering a class, bring a bottle of water to drink at designated times during the class, and drink 32 ounces when the class has finished.

It was all my friend's idea. My good buddy S. is a faithful workout partner whenever her and I become simultaneously motivated to get our swell on. Her mother is an avid exerciser, and told S. Bikram yoga is a fantastic way to burn calories. I was told in the dressing room at the yoga studio that this practice actually burns 1,000 calories per hour. Phenomenal.

S. and I, along with a third friend, walked into the Bikram studio together. Solidarity in sisterhood, brother. The woman behind the desk radiated a welcoming calmness. I was happy to be there, despite the slight reek of body odor I experienced walking through the front door. The woman introduced herself as Marissa - pronounced Mar-eeee-sa. Her accent comforted me as she asked us our names, repeating them so she would remember them. I told her how nervous I was, and she laughed warmly in response. "You will be fine, child, just remember to breathe...just make sure to breathe through your nose the whole time unless instructed differently. Breathing through your mouth in the studio could cause you to hyperventilate and faint." She laughed again. I didn't.

She told us where we could change after she ran our credit cards - $25.00 for a trial session of seven days. "Make sure you come back after today. You'll be glad when you do."

S., other friend and I went to the changing area, where three other women were preparing for class. The trio of ladies said hello, and one looked me over. She asked if I had shorts. I wore long yoga pants and a black tank top over a blue sports bra. When I told her I didn’t, she suggested I roll up my pants. “Feel free to take off your shirt in the studio. All of us are half-naked by the end of class.” I’m okay with nudity in most situations, so I was glad to hear that everyone I’d be practicing with was, too.

This post is getting long, huh? I'll leave you hanging here...see the next blog to read what happened in the actual class.