"I'm scared" was the note I posted on my friends Facebook page Saturday night. Several weeks ago she invited me to go with her to Hot Yoga. I've been hearing all the rave, but never tried it. The last time I attended a group yoga class was back in 2002 and since then I have done yoga on and off in the comfort of my own home watching Sarah Beth Yoga videos on YouTube.
I want to stress "comfort of my home" because I struggle with doing an activity that I may embarrass myself in front of others. I'm pretty sure Hot Yoga falls into this category.
Saturday night I was already devising ways to get out of going. Why? Because this was something new. Yoga is hard and Hot Yoga is harder. What if I couldn't do it? What if I made a fool of myself? What if I passed out? All of these thoughts were going through my head and I hadn't even stepped foot into the heated box.
So, since I'm writing this, you must conclude that I didn't chicken out and I didn't. I did it! Here are 5 things I learned from hot yoga.
- Be prepared. Saturday night I read several articles on hot yoga. I'm glad I did. I started hydrating and downing water the night before and continued on through the morning before class. In life, anything new we try, we must do our research and be prepare for the challenge that lies ahead. If I had not drunk enough water, ate two hours prior to the workout, wore fitted/limited clothing and not brought two towels, well I'm sure I would have passed out and not completed the class. Many times we fail simply by lack of preparation. Take time to prep!
- Take a friend. I'm sure if I relied upon just myself to get up and go to class I wouldn't have. Having to pick up a friend and she being an encouragement to me helped me step foot into the gym. If there is something you want to accomplish in life, tell a friend. Get an accountability partner. Hire a life coach (preferably me...lol)! Bring your friend or coach along on your journey. It's easy to lie to yourself, but it's hard to lie and let down those that are pulling for you and want you to succeed. Every successful person I know has a great team behind them pushing them every day.
- Go with the flow. I had no idea what to expect but I followed the instructors lead and tried to do every position she instructed. If I couldn’t do something, mainly due to chronic tight hamstrings, I would try and modify. We aren't going to be perfect at everything, especially on the first try. But it is important to #1 try and #2 go with the flow. Do not get down on yourself if you can't do something. Just because you can't do something today doesn't mean with hard work and effort you won't be able to do something in the future.
- Do not worry about others. This is something that is a struggle for me. When three other ladies showed up for the class I was immediately intimidated and wondered how good they were and what they would think of the newbie in the class. What I learned is they were great encouragers and focused on themselves and not me. Even if they wouldn't have been nice or been critical, we must not care what others think. If you want to accomplish your goals, be your biggest cheerleader. Focus on yourself and not what others may or may not think about you and your dream. I've learned that people that judge are typically jealous and the problem is with them NOT you.
- You can do anything you set your mind to do. Near the end of the class, the instructor challenged us with wall headstands, scorpions off the wall and handstands. I must admit, my first thought was, "Are you CRAZY?" But then she kept encouraging us to try. And by golly, I was able to do the headstand and scorpion. I thought I was going to stroke out...but I did it! When my friend hollered, "I wish I had my camera,” I was thinking, yeah me too. This may not happen again! I couldn’t quite work up the nerve to do the handstands; I was terrified I would break my neck, but it's something to work towards. I left confident that I had done something I had only seen on television and before today would have never even tried. Remember, you are stronger than you think you are and most of the time fear is only in your mind.
Not matter what you are looking to do in life... DO IT! Try it! You will be amazed at how you will feel for just trying, regardless of success or failure. I have learned not trying in the real failure and trying...well that in my book is a success! As I always say, Be Bold. Dream Big. Bless Others.
Blessings,
Stephanie