I’m always looking for a new, interesting way to work out and keep me coming back for more. That being said, I’m also pretty picky. I don’t want to invest in something if I’m not sure that I’ll like it, and in the summer, I need something to help keep me accountable.

There have been so many times that I’ve said, “Oh, I can skip going to the gym today – I’m going to go on a run! And then go swimming!” But what really happens is…. I go to the air-conditioned mall. And eat Panda Express.

So, when one of my girls suggested we take a Bikram yoga class together, I was super excited. Having each other to go with make things fun, and we’d have to pay for the classes, so we’d stay accountable. Sounds like exactly what I’m looking for. Or it did before I actually took a class. Now, I’m just torn.

Love it:

- Weight loss. After a class, you’ve already sweated off some inches. A lot of inches. If those few dehydration-induced losses aren’t enough, the body supposedly burns fat more effectively when it’s warm. The extreme heat increases your metabolic rate, helps to detoxify, and supposedly helps you to stretch more than you would be able to in a normal climate.

- Easy to learn. There are only 26 easy-to-learn asanas. In my class, each pose was done twice and held for 30 seconds each, which was especially nice for me, because I’d never done yoga before with the exception of “Yoga Booty Ballet.” It was easy to follow and I didn’t get lost, but I have a feeling that since it was so easy and monotonous, it could get boring after awhile. Read More »

We’re rounding the corner into spring, (maybe? please?) and that means only one thing: pre-summer shape-up season. This time several years ago, I jumped on the yoga bandwagon, and I have never looked back. It had been a long time coming. I have a crippling fear of looking like an idiot, and since I had NO IDEA what I was doing, I wussed out. But everyone I knew who did yoga was in killer shape. Like, the kind of shape you always want to be in: gorgeous, long lean, muscle, cut but not bulky, great skin, all that jazz.

So, I sucked it up, swallowed my pride, and dove in. If anyone out there is looking to get started, here are the things you’re most likely to encounter when venturing to your neighborhood yoga studio. Read More »