Midway into the session, I noticed that my hair is soaking wet, like I had just taken a shower or jumped into the pool. As the sweat trickles off my nose, chin, forehead, and onto the mat beneath me, I think to myself, I can't recall a time when exercise really got me to sweat to this extent.
Awhile back my friend from Singapore, Joy, told me that yoga is great for building long lean muscles without the bulk of traditional weight training. I am all about adding variety to my workout. And I have never done yoga before, so I gladly accepted the invitation from the studio to attend a free class.
Midtown is somewhat new to me, yet the closer I was to the studio the easier it was to see how close it was from Escobar. I was the first student to arrive Saturday morning to a HotYoga Studio.
I picked up an undertone of anger or frustration from the practiced introduction the hostess gave me, as she guided me through the check in process. Perhaps she stayed up late the previous night. It's early. It's her job. I don't know. I recognized the hostess behind the register as the owner of the studio. Her resemblance to the photo she posted of herself is small. Her hair obstructed view of her face; it was taken at a side angle, her skin is darker, her hair is darker, make-up free, and that straight face didn't flatter her.
I never knew there was so much etiquette involved in attending a yoga class. I take off my shoes, enter the yoga room, grab a mat, and find a place in the empty room. The room is warm and humid, the temperature increases the longer I stay in the room. I lay down my towel and water bottle and head outside for temporary relief of the heat.
Students now fill the lobby, checking in, taking off their shoes, walking to and fro from the locker room. I sat down next to one of the instructors, who felt totally at ease chatting with me. Before I know it, it's time for the class to start. I head back into the hot room.
The owner that was previously covered from head to toe in a monochromatic navy blue exercise set is now wearing a trendy provocative white sports bra and skin tight teal capris. Her figure is exquisite. She's slender, oddly enough, something about her figure reminds me of a praying mantis. LOL The owner is alot cuter of course, without extra limbs.
The class begins with stretching exercises, some old some new. As it progresses, the task of sustaining movements, flexibility, and balance for periods of time becomes grueling given the speed and duration of time. The class lasted about an hour; it felt like it was an hour and a half. I have never sweated that much from exercising.
At certain points of stretching I feel how sore my abs are. I'm doing much better than I was a day ago. The HotYoga definitely increased my heart rate and exercised my abs. I will try hot yoga again though.