I am a school teacher and when I am out for the summer I like to try new things. Last summer, I ventured into Twittering. The summer before that, real estate investing (bad timing on that one. Ha!). This summer, besides writing, I decided to try a new yoga class. Well, I have discovered Bikram Yoga. Some people know this style as "hot yoga".

Here are some highlights if you have never been to a Bikram Yoga class:

1. The studio is a very warm 105 degrees fahrenheit and 60% humidity.

2. You will be soaking wet with sweat at the end of this class!

3. It is 90 minutes long.

4. The teacher leads us through a highly structured sequence of breathing and stretching poses.

5. We are not allowed to think. Just do.

My thoughts on the experience: You have to keep an open mind and want to do something challenging for yourself. It is not comfortable. You may find yourself resisting...

but if you do this, I would encourage you to hang in there with it. When I did feel uncomfortable or some anxiety about it, I would concentrate on my breathing and clear my mind as our instructor tells us to do.

Each of the three times I went I came out feeling euphoric. Drinking down my water and eating the watermelon slices my instructor so graciously offers us, I really felt like I survived something special. If I stay with this, I can see how it could really benefit my health: improved lung capacity, more flexible body, detoxifying my whole system (my skin is just glowing).

Who needs happy hour? Just do 90 minutes of Bikram Yoga!

I got a one week pass and I will decide if I will continue at the end of it. I am leaning towards keeping this up... I will let you know.

Debra ; )

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