Hilary Barnett

This month I began a  new journey into the world of Hot Yoga. My best  friend invited me to a class, and I reluctantly obliged, knowing I would just be torturing myself if I enjoyed it because I wouldn’t be able to afford the classes going forward. But after the first night, I was hooked.  It was the hardest thing I’ve ever undertaken physically, but I felt so cleansed and refreshed afterward.  The 105 degree heat seems to be your worst enemy at first, but you soon realize it is your ally, and you even begin to look forward to spending time in the heat. After one class, my husband said I was “glowing” (could have been the bucket of sweat pouring off me, but hey, I’ll take it.) It has honestly been a life changing experience. I can enter in the worst mood possible, and after a class I am totally relaxed and content.

A new studio, Bikram Cool Springs, opened up early this year, and this is where my friends and I practice. The owner and teachers are knowledgeable and serious about helping you to improve in each of the postures. I have noticed my flexibility and muscle tone improve just from going 3-4 times per week, as well as an improvement in my circulation, and some “unsightly” veins in my legs almost disappearring. I am excited about the possibilities of practicing in the future when I become pregnant, as it is supposed to help tremendously with natural childbirth and delivery. I never have to get that “ugh, I HAVE to go to the gym” feeling again! I so look forward to each 90 minute class!

As a Christian, I sometimes get questions or raised eyebrows when I mention that I am practicing yoga.  I am fully aware that this practice is of Hindu origin, and I decided to do a little reading into Hinduism to better educate myself on this faith system.  In the book  The World’s Religions, Huston Smith explains: “The word yoga derives from the same root as does the English word yoke, and yoke carries a double connotation: to unite (yoke together), and to place under disciplined training (to bring under the yoke, or “take my yoke upon you”) … defined generally then, yoga is a method of training designed to lead to integration or union” (27).

Hatha yoga, which is the version that has survived in the West, has been mainly focused on the discipline of the body, and the benefits of the practice can certainly be achieved separately from any search for spiritual enlightenment in the Hindu sense. This is how I see it. Since I do not practice Hinduism, but believe in a monotheistic God who created the human body, and exists apart from my body (although His spirit dwells within me), I revel in this opportunity to bring my body under control, while at the same time giving my mind the quietness and space it needs to meditate on the character and word of God, pray to Him, and listen to His spirit speaking to me. Some may call this a “hijacking” of the original purpose of yoga, but I call it improvising. No matter your faith background, I would encourage anyone to give it a try.