More Succesful

After the sweaty yoga horror, I rethought my plan. Working out blows. There are always a million things to do besides workout (including blogging about working out instead of actually working out). The last thing I needed was to absolutely dread a workout - this would only be yet another excuse to not get my swell on. I let my seven day trial period expire at the Bikram studio, and I admit, I feel a bit guilty. After only one try, maybe I wasn't giving this practice a chance. But the thought of going back to that sauna is enough to bring tears of anxiety to my eyes.

So, new plan: keep the yoga and lose the 112 degree part. I was part of a great gym a couple of years back, but had to cancel my membership due to my financial situation. Though that situation hasn't improved much (again, hire me!), I'm determined to make it work. With membership, the gym I'm part of offers a whole array of classes. Zumba, Pilates, and - drum roll - yoga. I decided this was a better route than Bikram - the gym membership is cheaper per month, and the fee includes full use of the gym.

I entered my first non-sweaty class with a mat I bought from Target; the boot camp instructor of a yogi lent me one at the Bikram studio. The class took place in the sun-filled loft studio on the top floor of the gym, with about fifteen people in attendance.

As class began, I became grateful for my past experience. Vinyasa yoga, a practice based on the in and out motion of breath, is similar to the poses in Bikram. I found myself being able to follow along with the instructor, albeit clumsily.

Vinyasa yoga incorporates downward facing dog into many sequences. This pose consists of having both hands and both feet on the mat, head hanging between shoulder blades with the butt lifted to the ceiling. If done correctly, the practicer looks like an upside down V.

I push into the first down dog successfully. The second one, I managed to lift my hips even further, creating a solid stretch in my hamstrings. During the third dog, I felt my hands start to slip. As the class progressed, the studio heated up a bit, causing me to sweat. My hands slid on the shiny plastic of the mat, as my down dog collapsed. I fell to the side, grunting loud enough to interrupt the elderly gentleman next to me. He turned his head in surprise, but was kind enough to say anything and carry on with his successful stretch.

The class couldn't be over fast enough, each of the poses becoming more difficult as my hands and feet slipped this way, then that way. I couldn't wait for the class to be over so I could powder my hands and return the mat to Target for a refund.