HOT YOGA MAMA

I decided to take the 4:30pm bikram class at the Hot Yoga of Kirkland studio last Saturday. It was my first time to practice there.

As usual, I came fully prepared to have an invigorating hot yoga experience. I wore my little shorts and sports bra, hair pulled back with a headband. I brought 2 towels with me: 1 to cover my yoga mat and a small face towel to wipe my upper body and face during my practice.

The location of the Kirkland studio is easy to get to. It’s located 5 minutes right off of the I-405 exit. Parking is readily available since it is located within a shopping center.

I arrived 15 minutes early to check out the place, sign in and register. A nice looking woman and man were both at the check in counter. They greeted me and asked me if I have been there before. I said “no”. The lady asked me to fill out and sign a waiver form. I couldn’t help but notice the cool tribal like tattoo that was on her left arm. It started on her wrist and worked up to about mid forearm. It was beautiful. I myself was sporting a new tattoo that encompassed my left bicep. So new it was only 3 days old and I was wondering if practicing bikram might make it sting (from all the sweating).

The first thing I noticed when I walked through the doors was the odor. It was pretty “funky” as most people would describe. The sweat smell was prominent in this joint, big time. But I also noticed the amount of men coming in and out of the studio. As I gazed into the studio itself, it was obvious this was a popular place. It was already getting pretty full in there, and my guess is there were about 30-35% men. I was thinking the funk was coming from them. Girl funk simply is not that bad.

Anyway, great deal at this studio: $10 for 10 sessions. So the lady told me my total was $10 and she said I could come in for the next 9 practices and it it would only cost me $10 each time. That is a good deal since the average drop in rate at most studios is about $15.

I scurried to the bathroom and unfortunatley it was outside, across the way. It was pouring outside and freezing!

I got back just in time to start stripping off my clothes, with my workout clothes conveniently underneath. There isn’t a place to put invdividual belongings here, everyone just stacks their stuff wherever you can find a place. It’s small and cramped but despite the lack of space obviously a popular place to practice.

The guy at the counter told me it is warmer in this studio than most, so be prepared. Since I love the heat, I just got excited to hear how much hotter it would be.

I stepped into the already cramped room. People were quietly talking with their friends, most people lying down in savasana and waiting patiently for the instructor to come in. I found a spot in the front of the room, right in front of the mirror. On one side of me was a young Asian girl and her boyfriend. On the other side was an Indian man who had a cotton t-shirt on. I was thinking, ‘dude, you are totally going to be soaked in that shirt. oh no, you are going to be totally funky in 10 minutes…”

They weren’t kidding. It was definitely warm in the room. Not only were the heaters cranked higher than most studios, the room was packed like sardines. You WILL touch the student right next to you. There’s no doubt about it. I knew that as soon as we started moving, it would only get hotter. I was glad I brought a face towel as well. I know this will be a good workout.

The attractive lady who checked me in was our instructor. As she walked in, she asked who was asleep. She could hear the loud snoring of this one student. Someone woke him up. She then asked him to stand and asked if there were any new bikram students in the room. A couple people raised their hands. She then asked the snoring man to stand up and demonstrate the breathing exercise we do before we start moving. She referred to him as “Steve” so I figured he was a regular student.

It was so hot in there, you breathe in intense hot air. I found this really stimulating. Instead of feeling like you could pass out and sleep, it stimulates your whole body.

The instructor told us we needed to get in tighter because about 3 people still needed room to join the practice. I scooted my mat closer to the Asian couple and smiled at the lady walking towards me. She was smiling, happy I made room for her. I was smiling because I knew I could move away from the funky guy who she now had to practice next to.

The practice went faster than other studios, as I found out at the end it was 80 minutes, when normally it is 90. It was so hot in there with everyone being packed like a herd. We had to stagger ourselves so that we didn’t hit each other.

There was one pose where I had to come back into standing and I had to gain my balance. I felt light headed and was afraid I would pass out. I just stood a little longer than everyone else, and regained my sense of balance.

My practice was awesome. The extra heat pushed my level of flexibility. My headband was soaked but it was such a great feeling when I took final savasana.

As I stepped out of the practice room, I welcomed the cool air of the front room. I noticed the hamper of dirty/wet towels in the corner right next to the door of the practice room. Most people just put on their jackets and went straight outside. Some ladies went into the dressing rooms on the other side of the front room where curtains that said “Yogini” and “Yogi” were shown.

You can rent a mat for $2 and buy a bottled water for $1. There was some yoga wear for purchase behind the check in desk.

I thanked the instructor and she said “See you again”, and I thought “I’ll definitely come in next week”.

I loved how hot the practice room was. Despite the apparent funk of the place, I loved the dynamic of many students moving in unison. I loved the dim lighting in the room. I loved the introductory special of $10 for 10 classes.

A definite recommendation for seasoned bikram students. The pace was faster and the heat might be a little much for first time students. But I will be going back again, and most likely using up my introductory special!