sweet torture

bikram (aka heaven in hell)

so, maybe i should get one of those bad*ss tattoos. 2 of them for good measure. ok, maybe not. but at the rate im going, the possibility of finally getting inked isnt that far. ok i should stop this train of thought now lest my mom calls me again for my offbeat humor. and ill be forced to ship that sack of salt ive been saving for those who need to take things with a grain of em iodized goodness.

so i walk into this room, no ordinary room coz it's a scorching hot 100 degree one. that's 37.778 for those of you counting in celcius. first thing i notice is that everyone's fit. so ok, im not -that- fit yet but if i do end up that fit, then the heat wave waiting to happen must have its benefits. second i notice is that most everyone's inked. well, the neighborhood isnt called williamsburg for nothing—land of the anti-mainstream everything-chill 20 something 2% fat hipsteratis. needless to say, i live in this neighborhood, not just at its center. and just not bad*ss enough to get myself inked.

what came next was an experience unlike any other. an hour and a half of torture. bikram yoga it was—yogic poison of choice by the likes of madonna and sting. but those who take it couldnt care less of its celebrity appeal. its health and mental benefits are unlike any other. you do 26 poses one after the other. your heart rate rises to great heights. you swim in a pool of your own sweat as toxins and tension you've stored for ages are flushed out of your system. freshly oxygenated blood rushes throughout. your body shakes uncontrollably. you almost pass out (well at least, i almost hit the deck) but your concentration and breathing keeps you intact as you try to push your limits. way beyond.

you come out of the hour and a half of torture feeling as though you can drink a pail of water and suck in a whole tank of oxygen. you feel exhausted yet at the same time extremely energized. ready to take on the world with your head held high and your feet firmly planted on the ground.

been back three times now since that first bikram class a week ago. second one was great. felt as though i had room and energy to push myself comfortably. third class was utter punishment. although i sort of saw it coming—what with going there very early saturday morning with a hangover from a night of partying. i had to leave the room hour 15 into it just to save myself the embarrassment of passing out. im sure i wouldnt have; was just that my mind wasnt really into it. fourth one has been the best so far. felt good pushing yourself to whatever limits you have; knowing full well that you've just pushed the bar for yourself even further for next time.

just got myself a 3-month unlimited class membership. needless to say, im hooked. i cant wait to see myself 3 months from now. maybe ill have the mental toughness to be climbing everest by then. or maybe i would have gotten that tattoo too by then. or not.