Drop it like it's HOT...Yoga, that is.

Imagine this- you're in a room full of scantily-clad individuals, sweating profusely, twisting and turning your body in ways you never imagined possible, inhaling, exhaling....aaahhhhh- oh, i forgot to mention- the room is 105 degrees! This is the world of Bikram hot yoga. Ok Ok, let's get the technicalities out of the way for all you amateurs- Bikram Yoga is a system of yoga popularized in the early 1970s. Classes run exactly 90 minutes and consist of a series of 26 postures and 2 breathing exercises, done in a room heated to105°F. Why anyone would subject themselves to this experience was beyond me, that is, until I tried it for myself for the first time yesterday morning. I am SORE from head to toe from all the bending, flexing, stretching, turning, twisting, balancing on one foot until it went numb. However, it was a great experience and I plan to do it again- multiple times. Why, you ask????

Besides being a very relaxing experience, hot yoga has several benefits for the body as well as the mind and soul. Here are just a few:

• Reduces injury
• Reduces the effects of stress
• Tones and strengthens muscles
• Increases energy
• Increase balance & coordination
• Weight loss
• Increases metabolism
• Boosts immune system
• Enhances the function of respiratory, muscular, endocrine, & circulatory systems

Aside from the 64 year old man that decided to wear skin tight biker shorts and set up his mat in front & center, I had an awesome first experience with Birkram Yoga. CHECK- that's another thing off my bucket list. NAMASTE! (i have no clue what "namaste" means, but it seems to be a popular term in the world of yoga)

Here are just a few of the poses we did: