This weekend marked an important realization - I can't do hot yoga two days in a row. It's just not possible. I had developed this theory after my very first class, and today my theory was proven to be what researchers call valid. I thought I was tough, I thought I was invincible, my body told me otherwise.
My friend and I tackled a weekend of fun with some Bikram yoga. We went to the 8am session Saturday and Noon today. During the noon session, only minutes into the class, I had the thought of just picking up my mat and leaving the room - I just physically couldn't do it. My friend was very astute and asked after our 2nd posture if I wasn't feeling well... we still had 24 more postures to go and we were in 100 degree heat.
Somehow we made it through and I'm alive to tell the tale. I actually am very proud of myself for mentally toughing it out. After class, my friend and I were discussing how terrible we felt this during class and we couldn't help but to draw upon the parallels of hot yoga and relationships. Confused? Let me explain..
Hot yoga (specifically Bikram Yoga):
You walk into a sweltering room. You think.... not so bad. You lay down on your mat, waiting for the class to begin. The instructor comes into the room and we begin a familiar series of poses, fluidly moving with a guided script. As we begin, sweat begins to pour. I mean pour (I literally looked like I jumped into a pool after today's class). You then begin to question why you decided to come to the class. You then remember that you have gotten through the class before and know what to expect. If you keep calm and focused, you'll get through the class. Then, somehow, through shear determination, you reach the final Savasana. You leave the room with a soaked through towel and a smile, knowing you just did the inevitable. You immediately feel the rush of adrenaline and contemplate when you will go back for more. Repeat.
My thoughts on Relationships:
You walk into a room. You catch someone's eye (or at least this is always how it works out in the movies) and it turns into a lovely time of getting to know one another. You begin to learn the cute quirks of the other person and maybe their vices. You think of when you want to spend time with this individual. You also tend to disagree with this person on occasion and although the fighting isn't ideal, you know how to work through it. There may be moments when you want to throw in the towel, but you know that through perseverance and determination you'll get through it. You resolve the conflict. You feel happy about where you are at that day with your relationship. You wonder how long this feeling will last until the next hiccup will occur. Repeat. (except for the always walking into a room and catching someone's eye part...)
We often contemplate at times why we put ourselves in these situations. We think that the grass is always greener on the other side. I could have up and left yoga today, but I didn't because I know the overall benefits it provides me. Relationships at times can be a pain in the butt (I've experience a lot of that), but there can be moments of joy that keep us wanting more, or keep us wanting to go back. But what we do know, is that through some perseverance and a little hard work, in the end it's worth it.
[Note: Know that this can be perceived negatively for an unhealthy relationship - thinking we know how to fix things to make it better instead of recognition when to actually throw that towel in. That's a whole other blog post in its entirety.]
My friend and I tackled a weekend of fun with some Bikram yoga. We went to the 8am session Saturday and Noon today. During the noon session, only minutes into the class, I had the thought of just picking up my mat and leaving the room - I just physically couldn't do it. My friend was very astute and asked after our 2nd posture if I wasn't feeling well... we still had 24 more postures to go and we were in 100 degree heat.
Somehow we made it through and I'm alive to tell the tale. I actually am very proud of myself for mentally toughing it out. After class, my friend and I were discussing how terrible we felt this during class and we couldn't help but to draw upon the parallels of hot yoga and relationships. Confused? Let me explain..
Hot yoga (specifically Bikram Yoga):
You walk into a sweltering room. You think.... not so bad. You lay down on your mat, waiting for the class to begin. The instructor comes into the room and we begin a familiar series of poses, fluidly moving with a guided script. As we begin, sweat begins to pour. I mean pour (I literally looked like I jumped into a pool after today's class). You then begin to question why you decided to come to the class. You then remember that you have gotten through the class before and know what to expect. If you keep calm and focused, you'll get through the class. Then, somehow, through shear determination, you reach the final Savasana. You leave the room with a soaked through towel and a smile, knowing you just did the inevitable. You immediately feel the rush of adrenaline and contemplate when you will go back for more. Repeat.
My thoughts on Relationships:
You walk into a room. You catch someone's eye (or at least this is always how it works out in the movies) and it turns into a lovely time of getting to know one another. You begin to learn the cute quirks of the other person and maybe their vices. You think of when you want to spend time with this individual. You also tend to disagree with this person on occasion and although the fighting isn't ideal, you know how to work through it. There may be moments when you want to throw in the towel, but you know that through perseverance and determination you'll get through it. You resolve the conflict. You feel happy about where you are at that day with your relationship. You wonder how long this feeling will last until the next hiccup will occur. Repeat. (except for the always walking into a room and catching someone's eye part...)
We often contemplate at times why we put ourselves in these situations. We think that the grass is always greener on the other side. I could have up and left yoga today, but I didn't because I know the overall benefits it provides me. Relationships at times can be a pain in the butt (I've experience a lot of that), but there can be moments of joy that keep us wanting more, or keep us wanting to go back. But what we do know, is that through some perseverance and a little hard work, in the end it's worth it.
[Note: Know that this can be perceived negatively for an unhealthy relationship - thinking we know how to fix things to make it better instead of recognition when to actually throw that towel in. That's a whole other blog post in its entirety.]
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