Filed under: Place, Product | Tags: ab workout, bikram, fitness, SELF magazine, summer, training, yoga
In case I haven’t mentioned it, I love summer. I’ve officially kicked off my summer this weekend, and hope to make this a great one. In the past, I’ve used the summer as an excuse to try new things (private pilates sessions, kayaking, etc.) I’ve found it’s been a great way to make summer a little extra special and treat myself to things I may not always have time to do during the year.
This summer, I have some great things planned. Each month (June, July, August) I’m going to try a new fitness program (one part at home, one part at a facility) in addition to my regular run/bike/swim. For the remainder of May and all of June, I will:
- Do ten sessions of bikram yoga at Bikram Yoga Harlem. I’ve done a handful of sessions in the past, but I’m eager to see the results that regular practice yields.
- SELF’s “Effortless Abs” workout. (See video below). I LOVE SELF magazine, but don’t always do the monthly workouts included. I think I will this summer. My goal for this one is to do 3 sessions/week – preferably in the morning before work.
I already have my programs picked out for July and August, and am very excited to get through all of them. I’ll keep you updated on how they go — AND (maybe more importantly) what kinds of results they yield at the end of each month!
Living uptown in Manhattan, I have often had to travel downtown to meet some of my exercise needs (namely yoga). This has changed a little over the years as more businesses are opening in the neighborhoods uptown. On Friday I had the pleasure of trying out a new (new to me, at least) yoga studio called Bikram Yoga Harlem.
Bikram yoga is also known as hot yoga. A bikram studio is heated to about 105 degrees (kinda humid too), and participants are led through 26 poses, or asanas. The idea is that with the heat your body releases toxins and can be more flexible (not necessarily in that order).
I have to say that upon entering the studio, I began to sweat. I suppose that’s the whole idea, but it was something I was definitely not used to. I have practiced yoga numerous times before, so I was familiar with many poses and the nature of yoga classes. I found that the instructor was very helpful and called me (and the one other new student) by name to compliment/correct/motivate us. Two asanas in, I felt like I had sweat off 6 lbs. It was pretty intense. I also found that I was a bit more flexible as the class went on. Overall, I left feeling invigorated and wanting more. I’ll definitely do it again – and head back to Bikram Yoga Harlem.
