Monday, March 30, 2009

Bikram Yoga

I used to do a lot of yoga . . .you know. . .when I was young . . .
I used to do a lot of running. . .you know. . .when I was young. . .

Thinking back, I used to do a lot of things before I worked at job that took up my entire life. Then I got smart and got a better job that gave me more time to myself.

I used to do a lot of things before I got a dog that took up my entire life. Then I got smart. . .wait. . .I still have that dog. . .but I also have a life. . .

What to do with said "life"?

YOGA!!! And not just any yoga- Bikram Yoga.

Bikram Yoga is different from other forms of yoga in that the studio is heated to 105 degrees with 40% humidity. Also, there are 26 postures that are repeated twice during each 90 minute class. The heat is said to help relax the muscles more which helps one get deeper into the pose. I really enjoy the heat - although I am not a big fan of the sweaty men in speedos doing yoga next to me.

Bikram Choudhury, the founder, has copyrighted and franchised Bikram Yoga which has created a lot of controversy. Many people feel that "making money off of yoga" goes against the spiritual aspect of yoga itself. Also, yoga has been around for a couple hundred years and Choudhury has only been around since 1946. I will say that his franchising has actually been beneficial to me because all of the teachers must attend his classes; which means that all of the Bikram Yoga classes are exactly the same. It is great for a beginner because you quickly learn what it is you are supposed to do. It is also nice for people who travel because they could attend any Bikram Yoga studio in any state/country and it will be exactly the same as it is at their home studio.

I also like the price. . .$10 for 10 classes for 10 consecutive days. Yeah, only an idiot would do 10 straight days of yoga. . . let me be clear, I am not said idiot! I took a two days off. . .

Friday, March 20, 2009

Hobbies

My new hobby:



Yes, it is a sock.

I have been needing a hobby for a long time. Since most of my life revolves around dogs, it can be difficult to branch out and find something different to do. And while knitting isn't new for me, going to knitting group is. I know, it is completely out of character for me to seek out and participate in a group activity, but this is really fun. The girls in the group are all about my age, and while most of their talk revolves around yarn, I still enjoy the company.

I now regularly find myself in a whole new world of yarn stores, bamboo needles, "knitting in the round", and patterns. The sock was a little difficult, but tons of fun. This picture doesn't show the bunion block I accidentally created when forming the heel.

I still need to finish the baby blanket (ok, let's be honest and call it an afghan!) but because it is so large I find myself getting bored with it. Now I have a few other projects that I am working in rotation.

And I'm seriously thinking about ravelry . . .(wait, did I just admit that out loud????)