Happy National Wine Day friends! You all should be celebrating. I know I am…all while watching my TGIT shows. I”ve been battling nasty allergies so I feel like I’ve been a horrible blogger the past couple days, especially since I’m a beginner and need the practice. All I’ve been doing is binge watching Girlfriends Guide to Divorce and going to the gym. Boring party of one right here.
Speaking of gym, I’ve been making a conscious effort to make myself go these past few weeks. Before the holidays I was going pretty regularly, about 3-4 times a week. I basically do the same thing every day, alternating between muscles each day though. I decided recently to try new things and share them with you guys from a first timer’s perspective to include in my health/fitness section. I would like to write about it every 1-2 weeks. Is that something you guys might wanna read about? I’m also going to include different food prep ideas and ways to eat comfort foods without all the gunk that comes with it. Waistline friendly recipes…kind of like I did for Super Bowl recipes. I’m trying to get that bikini bod, ya know what I’m saying?! Sigh…Aren’t we all….
This week I decided to try Hot Yoga even though I’ve never actually even been to yoga period. My friend and I went to Hot Yoga Plus in Franklin. We messed up and showed up for the 10:45 am HIIT class when the hot yoga class didn’t start until 12. Your first class is free there and even though it was our mistake, they comped both classes for us. How amazing is that customer service?! They are such sweet souls there. The HIIT class was extremely challenging, mainly because it pushed me past my safe zone. If you aren’t aware what HIIT is, then I am here to help explain. It is high intensity interval training, maxed out 30 second bursts of cardio guaranteed to make you bust a sweat. I am honest to God hurting in spots I did not know I could ache in today. It was only 30 minutes but it sincerely kicked my butt. (It didn’t help the day before was leg day for me) Angie was the instructor and I would highly recommend her class. She has years and years of training experience and will make you hurt in the best way possible. Plus the kicked up temperature really made me sweat my bootay off.
I regrouped and drank some more water then headed back in the hot room for yoga. I was extremely nervous considering it wasn’t a beginner’s class and I had never attempted yoga in my life. The temperature in the room was just shy of 100 degrees but honestly I didn’t even notice. I’m sure it’s not for everyone because I had people tell me prior to going that I would hate it. In my honest opinion, I’m absolutely obsessed. Like OBSESSED guys. I didn’t know all the poses the teacher, Amanda, called out in class but it was easy to follow along by looking at the people beside me. It was an extremely overcrowded class so that just made it that much hotter. The music didn’t work but in a non creepy way, it was almost peaceful to just hear everyone around me breathe without the distraction of music. There were a couple of movements I couldn’t do because I am obviously not on that level yet, but I will get there. Absolutely no one judged me either. I can see how yoga sculpts your body though and can bring you a better mental stability. The 45 minutes flew by to me and after I left I had this odd sense of calmness that carried into today. That’s enough reason for me to continue yoga, and I plan to. It’s on my workout agenda now to at least go once a week.
Yoga has extensive benefits. It has been proven to show flexibility, balance and posture improvement, as well as strengthening your muscles. It has also been proven to help with stress, depression and anxiety. As someone who continuously struggles with anxiety and stress, I am anxious to test this out more. Who couldn’t use a workout that helps clear their mind and make them more present?! Uh me obviously.
Anyways, I think it’s worth checking out if you’re interested. If you’re in the Nashville area, Hot Yoga Plus is located off of the Mcewen exit in Franklin and also on Elliston in Nashville. Your first class if freaking free!!!! What better reason to at least try people?! If you are not in the Nashville area I would google yoga or hot yoga and just comb through the reviews. I know that the YMCA I work out at offers yoga classes also but not hot yoga. Also, you can always do yoga at home. However you choose to do it, just TRY IT! You’ll be surprised at what your body is capable of. If you wanna give it a go and have tomorrow night (February 19, 2016) free then check out Hot Yoga Plus in Franklin at 6 pm with Box Flow and Go party partnered with Title Boxing. Glow in the dark boxing and yoga with food and drinks…uh sign me up. Btw, Title Boxing is next on my list to try because I hear it’s a freaking awesome workout. Get it girls (and guys)!
Xo,
Ashley