The concept is simple-yoga in a heated room. How bad can it be? How hot can it actually get? It sounded exciting and exhilarating, and if I were to be honest with myself my existing sports of glass lifting and power eating weren't exactly getting me very far fitness wise. Beginners welcome... all levels catered for...
Let me be clear on one thing: 105 Fahrenheit written on a computer screen is a lot different to 105 Fahrenheit in reality. I'd imagine it to be the closest you'll ever get to feeling like you're sitting on the sun, wrapped in blankets and hot water bottles while someone is throwing boiling water over your face, legs and arms.
I woke this morning and could move my arms and legs freely-which is not something I'm used to feeling after I participate in exercise. I felt a little cocky about my flexibility, but then bolted back to reality when I remembered that I actually couldn't complete the second part of the class because I instead had to focus all of my energy on staying conscious. "Beginners, don't worry if you need to sit out a posture, just don't leave, the first class is about staying in the room" I stayed in the room alright. I also stayed mostly on the floor, in the crawl position, a posture I remember thinking would be perfectly adept for escaping from a burning building. As I fought back tears I started to repent. All the years of excess had led me to this moment-potentially being taken out of a yoga class in an ambulance. At one point I vowed never to go again.
But as I floated home drenched to the skin with sweat I couldn't help but feel excited about the next class. Endorphins are a terrible thing.
