Yoga- My humble beginning

First Class ever

(Disclaimer- I do not condone of these actions and in no way should you attempt to recreate this scenario.)

Stumbling into a Bikram yoga the day after my 21st birthday with my older sister is how it all began. I was living with my sister and two nephews at the time and was partying a lot and I'm certain it was her attempt to help. To which I am ever so grateful now.

I HAD unfortunately begun drinking around 17 years old so the hangover was nothing new.

Tho, walking through the door into the 95° heat was a new level of masochism.

It is no joke, hungover or not!

I attempted to quickly acclimate. Hearing "Namaste", from the Lululemon clad yogini at the front desk, I wondered, "What did she just call me?" Still confused as to where I was and why, I signed in and headed to the changing room, smelling of vodka and NewCastles.

The 90 Minutes felt like I was literally being trampled by Kali herself, over and over! (a little hindu yogi humor)

It was awful! Plus, all of the initial poses in Bikram require balance! I was breathing heavy, certainly reeking of booze and my equilibrium was failing me often. I recall the ending sequence in rabbit pose simply HUMBLED. .

Afterwards, I Apologized to my neighbors for swinging sweat onto them like holy water, Thanked my sister and beelined toward the exit. Swinging open the door, a great flood of Shanti hit me! A deep calmness and serenity engulfed me unlike anything I had ever experienced post workout. This was the feeling what I was looking for!

After 90 minutes in a sweaty, hot room filled with hippies, breathing heavy and contorting into pretzels I had found it!?

To Be Continued ..