Every Gym’s Nightmare

Its fun to do new things. Im such a creature of habit that I sometimes forget that I can do whatever the hell I want.

So this weekend was relaxation weekend.

Saturday I missed the yoga class because i slept in was finishing up my nutrition seminar, which ended up working out for the best. After working all morning, I had my massage at 3:00pm. I cant really decide how i felt about it. The place was amazing, it all beiges and browns and the room was dark with really relaxing music. I had a guy, which I actually preferred, because i figured his hands would be stronger, but honestly i dont have anything to compare it to. i thought they would just kind of do my back and neck, but he did my arms and the backs of my legs, and then had me flip over and did the front of my legs. It really hurt when he did my quads- i almost asked him to stop but sucked it up. when I was done I felt like I had taken a 10 hour nap. I also got a peppermint patty, so all in all it, was nice. I wouldnt pay for one, but it was a good experience.

So after missing the yoga class, and enjoying the relaxing atmosphere of the massage, I figured I would just go pick up a yoga DVD and try it out in the privacy of my own home. Also, since a few commenters mentioned how if I like hard workouts I should try more advanced yoga, I picked up Rodney Yee’s YogaBurn.

I LOVED it. It was really hard, I had to come down from a few poses to recover, and could really feel the burn, but also the stretch. I have really tight hamstrings which give me a lot of problems and effect my posture and felt like this was the best stretch I had ever had.

The narration was very minimal, but concise enough that I knew what to do without having to look at the TV which helped keep me relaxed and in the zone.

The only thing I couldnt get over was Rodney’s toes. They were spread out wide like spirit fingers the whole time. I hate feet anyway so it gave me the heebie geebies. Im a ex-gymnast, so Im used to constantly pointing my toes, so I had to keep reminding myself to flex my feet to get the full benefit of the stretch.

yay, yoga! i dont think ill be taking any classes anytime soon, I think this is something I’d rather do by myself to relax and get a good stretch. I dont think the bright florescent lights of my gym will give me the same effect.

Any suggestions on other yoga DVDs? maybe something a bit more strenuous, or completely different all together?

Hope you all have a great weekend and a good mother’s day!

Im getting a massage tomorrow. Im worried, because I think i might become addicted. I LOVE massages, but have never had a professional one, so i think if i get someone that knows what they are doing (sorry, jerome), i might not be able to stop going.

My boss owns a massage studio, in addition to gym, and gave me a free one, so thats why im going to go check it out. So in honor of my Saturday massage, Im going to get nice and sore tonight. My upper body is pretty shreaded right now cause I lifted two days in a row. I went to the gym last night and it was packed so i pretty much just did what was open, which unfortunately was all upper body stuff.

Then tomorrow morning, im going to take a yoga class. YOGA. I dont think you understand. I did yoga once, and hated it. I almost left half way through. The instructor kept touching me, and its hard to relax and concetrate when you are thinking about punching someone in the throat. I’m more of an intense, can’t move, i might throw up workouter. Holding positions and stretching isnt really my idea of a workout, but Im going to give it a shot to keep with my relaxing day theme. Plus I’m going to be working all weekend, so I will need to escape.

The new site im going to be writing for, groundedfitness.com, has a lot to do with yoga and pilates, as well as broader health and fitness topics, so I should give it another chance. I used to hate eggs, but I tried them again a few years back, and like them now, so why not yoga?

After this class, Im going to take a few at a bikram yoga studio near my house. Everyone swears by it, and who knows, I might fall in love. I like sweating so whats better than roasting in a 5000 degree room while trying to balance on one leg?