tonight was my first time at a bikram yoga class. we did two hikes today so i was a little nervous about trying something new with how tired i felt. i almost didn’t go, but simon was crying and dinner still needed to be prepared and taido was saying, “go go go” and so i went. thank you for the urging out the door. sometimes we mommies need that so much. i was twinging with guilt as i pulled out of the garage still hearing little si’s whines through the screen door on the veranda, but it faded as i swished down the mountain in my sweet minivan, windows down, my lungs filling with the mountain air, taking in the gorgeous valley and a light rain.

i went into the cafe that is below the studio and paid for both my class from yesterday and for today’s. i appreciate how extremely laid back they seem to be about all that. i even noticed a sign tonight on the wall that said that if funds are a hindrance to continuing your yoga practice to please talk to the owner about different options. i appreciate people understanding that everyone doesn’t have unlimited disposable income, even people vacationing in crested butte.

so i wandered up to the studio where it felt much different from last night. it was really warm. 110 degrees is the recommended temperature for bikram yoga. i think we were hovering somewhere around 90. so why on earth would i go to a class in the heat when i came to crested butte to get out of the heat? well, i have heard wonderful things about this yoga practice. it is supposed to be the most thorough of the practices. you do the exact same series of poses in every 90 minute bikram yoga class, reaching every little inch of your body and hopefully, perfecting each pose over time. and you sweat. you sweat out all the toxins in your body. and if you’ve been reading my blog for a while, you already know that there are many. it felt so good to imagine all the crud in my body just dripping on out. i really hate to sweat, but somehow to surrender to it and just follow the poses was exhilarating for me. and again, no crying baby, demanding children or the needs of my messy house calling me. just focusing on the pose. on being thankful for God’s giving me life and breath and the ability to improve these postures a little bit at a time. my instructor tonight was adria. i felt so welcomed by her, not like i must be a little crazy attempting bikram for the first time without the strength of the other class members, two of which arrived muddy on mountain bikes, already sweating through their bike shorts, showing off quads that i cannot in my wildest dreams imagine i could ever have. no, she smiled and encouraged me to enjoy my first bikram class falling on such a cool evening.

adria seriously knows her stuff. understands the body. one other girl and i were new and i had the feeling that adria was completely aware of what we were and were not capable of within about three poses. but not in a sizing us up kind of way, more like in a protective mentor kind of way. her voice was firm but very kind. i appreciate that so much. i know i am kind of a sucker, but i was pretty much convinced by the end of the class that bikram yoga, done consistently for a long period of time, could heal just about any problem the body has. don’t be surprised if you complain to me about some kind of injury or muscle problem if i highly recommend bikram yoga. however, i don’t even know if it is available back home. if i find it, i hope whit is up for trying it out with me. no more toxins!

adria has three more classes during our time in crested butte, and monica has one more. it is such a fun luxury to wonder how much and what kinds of yoga i will do in the next three days. i am so thankful that we have worked this piece (or peace) into our vacation. taido is riding his bike early in the mornings and i’ve been going to yoga in the evenings, with all kinds of playing in between. i feel spoiled to the core. i’m never coming home.