Blowing Off Steam with Yoga

Is work making you want to punch someone? I found a cure to release the office- related stress and help your head from exploding…it’s called Bikram Yoga. After the very first class, I felt ready to take on the world.

I went through a phase where I was at the gym every day, even on Sunday. I discovered the benefits of exercise during the break-up of my first serious relationship. I found an activity that could help me release all that pent-up energy. I became addicted to that one hour of me time…and there was that business about losing weight.

The hour I spent at the gym stayed constant as I switched jobs and found a new boyfriend. I bought the latest issue of People or Us Weekly, climbed on to the treadmill and worked my worries away.

I had conveniently, or so I thought, signed up for a pre-sale membership at a new gym opening in my area. When my current membership ended, I figured could switch to this new place across the street that had a climbing wall and an outdoor pool. The Grand Opening was supposed to be for Fall 2007. However, t has yet to be opened.

So I was in the market for a new work-out. But with mounting work and every day deadlines, the stress was eating me alive and I needed to find something soon. Then I discovered a studio that offered Bikram Yoga classes; a style of yoga that is based on breathing exercises done in a room heated at 105 degrees. It’s not practiced at a fast pace but it does require you to bend your body into some challenging poses.

The heat makes you sweat which detoxifies your body, clears the circulatory system and increases your heart rate, which all adds up to a better work out. I feel the same as when I worked out at gym and I look it too. My cheeks are all red and I’m sweating tears down my arms. I leave the studio exhilarated every time.

If you are like me and have a schedule packed full of client appointments, office work and class, you may enjoy yoga as an alternative to the gym. It’s the perfect end to a stressful day of work. Or head to the bar and have a large glass of wine with your friends- hey whatever works, right?