Trying: Bikram Yoga

As a native Miamian, I'm all for heat and barely-there clothing. A little sweat never scared me. I guess I never really knew what "a little sweat" was until I tried Bikram yoga. Named for Sir Bikram himself (who is not technically a sir at all), it combines heat at 105 degrees F and a set of 26 postures, all wrapped up into a neat little 90 minute package. 

Each pose is done twice, and you can really feel yourself get better at it the second time around. I think that's a big part of the appeal. Self-gratification goes a long way, and this class teaches you how to work your body and praise it at the same time. 

Some pose examples: 

Camel pose- Looks pretty easy, and it is now, but I couldn't do it at first without feeling a nice wave of nausea come over me

Standing head to knee pose, or Dandayamana Janushirasana,  and I still can't get this one really right. Apparently the pose only begins when your standing leg is not bent at the knee, and I think it's harder than it sounds. Seriously, meditation necessary.

Can't really stress how much better you feel after the class than when you first begin. One instructor described it as torture, and I don't think that was far from the truth. I've only done 10 or so classes but I feel some of the effects (spine strength/alignment, energy, less stress, etc) so I would recommend it to anyone! Prepare to feel overwhelmed (and don't forget to drink a ton of water beforehand) but I'd say it's definitely worth a shot.

Happy yoga-ing.