toughest workout

I actually do my toughest workout on a regular basis. Unfortunately, I've been semi-regular as of later. Fortunately, I've gotten back on track this week. My toughest workout is a session of "hot yoga." It is also know as Bikram Yoga as well as the Barkan Method considering where one takes a class at. The titles go back to the teacher in regards to lineage. Sound familiar? Yoga has a number of similarities to martial arts, including stance work for example. One of the first things that a person must overcome is the heat when taking a class. The room is around 100 degrees or more with a humidity level between 40-60 percent. Classes are usually 90 minutes long and mix in a series of movements and breathing exercises. These exercises incorporate a mixture of strength training, flexibility, and endurance.

The physical aspect is tough. A lot of people have a hard time with the heat. Also, sweat can get into your eyes leaving you to balance without one of your main senses. This is often the toughest part for me. Yet, the other aspects of the practice are even tougher. The studio is usually set up where you must face yourself and your fears. This is usually done with mirrors and "the voice" or "guide" as many instructors refer to themselves. Most people fear their own physical being. What I am referring to is basically how you look in the mirror. I have not met many people who are completely happy with how they look in the mirror. You see your flaws in muscle structure, fat, etc. You must face these and bring forth the mental power to overcome these and improve on them with a successful practice. With the room set at that temperature, ladies usually wear traditional yoga clothes that are not as heavy due to the heat, and men simply wear shorts or swim trunks.

Also, another tough aspect of hot yoga is once the doors are shut and the practice begins, everything outside those doors must be left out there. All of the negative energy and ego must be put away in order to have a rewarding and successful practice. You must look inward, think about what you need to work on most to improve yourself as a person, and improve yourself. Every class brings new challanges, new things to be improved on, or in extreme cases, conquered. All of this is easier said than done. One of my instructors says it best. He states often during his classes that "Honest effort gives honest results." This is something that you take from class and try to apply to all aspects of your life. That is the yoga, and that is why it is the toughest workout for me.