Starting Hot In Hot Yoga: Nichole
Friday, November 5, 2010 at 12:00PM 
Nichole had done hot yoga...once. But when she returned to hot yoga, she turned the heat way up. Nichole decided she would commit to a 30 Day Hot Yoga Challenge, to get hot yoga into her, fast.
That takes some courage. For anyone new to hot yoga, you know that the hundred-plus-degree heat, the oceans of sweat, the showering schedule you have to maintain...it all takes some doing. But some of us just do it.
Nichole has agreed to take us along for her ride by blogging about her hot yoga awarenesses and awakenings as she goes through the finish line in her 30 Day Hot Yoga Challenge!
Nichole Cooter
Today I completed day seven of my thirty day hot yoga challenge.
I decided to take this on primarily because I was looking for something physically challenging. Having heard many things about yoga being good for people in many ways, it seemed like this was the thing for me. If I could feel better physically, finally decrease the size of my ever protruding belly, and potentially gain many other benefical effects from something? On with the challenge...
I was excited for day one! I went into class with a positive attitude, despite my fear of looking like a contorted idiot. While I may very well have looked like a contorted idiot, ego turned out to be irrelavent; the instructor was very helpful and encouraging, and no one in class was interested in how I looked in any of the poses. After class I felt that I had worked my whole body, and I also felt a great sense of accomplishment. I was excited for day two!
When I woke up the next morning, I was sore. Muscle sore. I felt as though I had worked my whole body, and I also would have rather had a root canal than do yoga again. After some self talk (and some serious persuasion from another yoga student), I decided to follow through and take the second class. Afterward, I was even more pleased with myself than the day before.
I had a great class on day three. I was already less hesitant to go, and even after just a couple of days I felt a little better physically, and I was fairly certain I didn't look like the contorted idiot. I had heard from other yoga students in the past about a "post yoga glow" feeling, which is something that I thought sounded completely ridiculous. Post yoga glow? What? Well, let me tell you - post yoga glow is fantastic!!
Day four and five went well. I felt little to no hesitation about going; the notion of another day of hot yoga seemed almost automatic. I was already feeling my protruding belly decreasing in size, and I was really feeling better all over. Mentally. Physically. Spiritually. Even my pms wasn't getting the best of me.
On day six I did my first music class. While it was equally enjoyable to the other classes (sweating your butt off and working out in yoga is ENJOYABLE!), it was somewhat different. Bring on another sweaty ass kicking on day seven!!
And get my ass kicked is EXACTLY what happened today. That's okay though, it's worth every moment of it :)
Nichole Cooter
Completed day eight and nine. I did another music class yesterday, which was quite enjoyable. I made a point during the music class to put in extra effort in trying to stretch more, and while my head and my knees (and other respective body parts) are still a million miles from touching the floor, I felt as though I made some progress.
This morning I set my alarm way earlier than I wanted to, and noticed that I had a much easier time getting up than I am used to having. It occurred to me that for the last few days I've been popping right up out of bed instead of grumbling and groaning about being up; I think this yoga thing has something to do with it... In class today put extra effort into stretching again (which paid off even more), but I also made a decision to ignore everything else in class except myself (which is what you're SUPPOSED to do...), and it paid off, imagine that! Had a great class!
Nichole Cooter
Another two days completed...
While I've been popping up out of bed ridiculously early for the last couple of days with ease, and generally feeling incredible, I had a BAD class yesterday. It seemed as though I regressed with a couple of things; I'm told that's normal, but it sucks just the same.
However, today class went well, despite the complete ass kicking I recieved again. For all of those who aren't sure if they want the ass kicking classes as opposed to the "easier" classes, I strongly recommend the ass kicking.
Nichole Cooter
Halfway!
Today I completed day 15. I've been slacking on my updates here, mostly because my last few days have been uneventful in class. I did, however, experience a bit of dreading going to class. Before day 13 and 14, I absolutely did NOT want to go. Whatever the reason, I just didn't want to. But I did anyway. And, although those classes weren't my strongest, they went quickly, and I'm still glad I went.
Today I had a great class again, followed by post yoga glow :)
15 more to go...
Nichole Cooter
On my way to finishing day 19...
I'm up bright and early, as it's been since the first few days I started doing this. I'm still popping out of bed with no problem, but I'm again having some motivational issues.
Day 16 was the worst class I've had to date. I couldn't move, couldn't stretch, couldn't breath. It was terrible. I'm pretty sure it was worse than the first class I took six months ago. Not exactly the kind of class that helps one feel motivation within oneself.
On day 17, though, I had one of the best classes I've ever taken. The kind of class that DOES help one find motivation within oneself.
Yesterday was an average day. Still trying to tell myself (and believe) that these up and down type days are "normal"...
On each day, whether it was wonderful or terrible, I've again been in a state of not wanting to go to class. I just haven't wanted to. Maybe 18 days in a row has been catching up to me. Maybe I'm getting bored with it. Maybe I'm not properly hydrated. Whatever the case, I've had no motivation. I HAVE no motivation. (Ugh. Yoga AGAIN? Really?) There's no way on Earth that I'm going to give up at this point, but it would be nice if I was looking forward to classes like I was two weeks ago.
Today, I'm going to drink excessive amounts of water. (Haven't been drinking NEARLY enough water, and it's sooooo important for this) I'm not going to have any booze (I've had a few drinks over the last few days, a yoga no-no), I'm going to eat something light, (been eating crap food) I'm going to think in a posititve manner, ( YAY! YOGA!!) and I'm going to hope for the best classes I've ever had.
I'm gonna kick some 5:30 yoga class ass...
Nichole Cooter
Day 30!!
It's been fun, but I'm glad that after tonight, it will be over.
I took one music class last Saturday, otherwise I've been doing private classes. I suppose that too many days in a row was kicking my ass a bit too much, so rather than giving up on the challenge I opted to take private classes (they're somewhat easier), and finish the challenge.
Tonight I'll be taking class in Lambertville.
I'm sure I didn't achieve all the things I had hoped to (I still can't get my head on the ground or straighten my legs in all the poses I wanted to), but all in all it's been a great physical and mental experience. I will still be taking yoga classes, although I won't be doing it seven days a week. I highly recommend that anyone with the desire and drive to try this out just do it. You'll be glad you did :)
