Hot House Yoga: 40 days
I joined Hot House Yoga about 4 weeks ago, after a very close friend said I should come try the class with her. I didn’t quite know what I was getting myself into. Of course I’ve taken dance, pilates and exercise classes in my past, but I have never placed a single toe into a “Yoga studio.”
Driving up to their doors, I had zero expectations for the class. The only figure that I kept envisioning in my head was the Material Girl Madonna, believe it or not. I was hopeful that I wouldn’t have to wear any kind of red bracelets or open a book on Kabalah during class. Yoga?! “Ok,” I thought. “I’m going to be open to this experience entirely.” I have to admit that I was very intimidated. I wasn’t sure what might be next. Who would I meet? What strange position would I have to contort myself into? Would I fall on my face? Just what the HECK was I getting myself into? (sigh!)
Hot House Yoga was such a unique first experience, just walking into the building made me feel like I was stepping foot upon “sacred ground.” Every sense in my body was alert– and my mind racing that wondered if I was seriously going to embarass myself. I’m rarely a new comer… so this was an exciting and completely new moment for me. Grab a mat, a towel– and then you are there. The experience of walking into a room with a temperature set at 95 degrees for 90 minutes is hard to imagine until you enter. It’s incredible– it’s as though the entire room has swallowed you whole… and the walls have slightly wrapped themselves around you. As much as you would like to escape (the panic sets in), you know that you can fight through the ackwardness and uncomfortableness of the sauna like conditions. The only thing that you can do is…. BREATHE! You can make it through.
The people who take this class are such a diverse group. Women, Men, the young, the old, the tall, the short, the fat, and the thin — the yin and yang cross section of this city. There are some classmates whose skill level, balance and strength is so inspiring… and I find myself challenged by their presence alone. Before too long, I realize that the skill, balance and strength is within me too. After 90 minutes of intense training, soulful meditation, and lots of sweat– you leave class ready for the incredible day ahead. It’s a difficult but rewarding way to start any day. I can’t believe how much I enjoyed it.
If you haven’t been to this type of Yoga before, I highly recommend this class and the teachers. Hot House is starting a 40 day challenge on November 17th that I am seriously considering taking. I’m not sure whats holding me back. I realize that the experience of doing this every day for 40 days is a tough prospect– but I’m always up for a good challenge.
If anyone is interested in taking a yoga class with me… I invite you to come share a day. You won’t forget it. -Corrine