Yoga

I love yoga.  I love hot yoga even more.  I used to go to hot yoga classes regularly (once a week).

Then 2020, and everything after it, happened.  Some businesses survived, some didn’t.  Unfortunately, my hot yoga studio was a casualty.

Once things started to open up again, I was on the lookout for another studio.

After online research, I decided to revisit a studio, that I had tried YEARS before, and took advantage of a Christmas special by purchasing two 5-class packs.

Because it had been a while since taking a yoga class, I wanted to start with an easy class and settled on one with the following description:

…is a class with a slower, flowing pace and includes a much longer floor series…This HOT CLASS is great for our newer students...

For the most part, I did not enjoy my first visit back for the following reasons:

There were cliques, and it was very clear that I wasn’t invited to the party.

Everyone talked before and after the class.  Loudly.  At my previous studio, you were asked to refrain from talking before (in order to help mentally prepare yourself for the upcoming practice) and after (to recover from) class.

The class was crowded.  I was surprised, considering things were just starting to open up.

The class was NOT, I repeat, was NOT “great for our newer students”.  My only saving grace was that I had practiced yoga in the past.  A true newbie would have, no doubt, been incredibly discouraged.

There was no direction or assistance with the moves.  You were told the moves by their names and expected to know them.  Some I couldn’t remember, so I had to look around to see what everyone else was doing. At my previous studio, you were given cues, such as, turn to face the front of the room, take a step towards the back of your mat, fold forward from the hips, etc.

The moves were performed way too quickly.  I was barely settling into one move, when we were being instructed into the next.  I felt like I was always catching up.  It was kind of annoying, because although I’m not an expert, I do know the basic sequences. I shouldn’t have been struggling this much.

A couple of things I did enjoy was the darkness of the room, the candlelight, and the music selection.

Because I had purchased the passes, and because I enjoyed the ambience, I decided to continue in this slot. I did three more classes after that, for a total of four.

Then summer rolled around, and I didn’t feel like going (preferring to spend my time in the gym), the clock’s ticking, and my remaining passes eventually expired.

Which brings me to today.  I really want to try hot yoga again, because I really feel like I need it. My body is so imbalanced and sore.  I just want to work on gaining strength without the pressure of weights on my joints.

I settled on a new club and purchased an unlimited monthly pass for first-time visitors.  I follow this studio on IG, and they look a little less cliquey to me, so I’m hoping this works out.  I plan to try a couple of classes to see which one I like best, and maybe buy some class passes and stick to some sort of a schedule.

My first class is described as follows:

…slow-paced practice that stimulates the parasympathethic nervous system to promote relaxation…the focus is on stretching the deep connective tissues in your body to help release tension. This class is suitable for anyone.

I certainly hope it’s slow paced.

The only thing I have an issue with right now is that I wish they offered more timeslots.  A lot of their classes are held during the day.  My work schedule only allows for evenings and weekends.