Ease the mind.

 Years ago, when I was in my early years of high school, I tried yoga for the first time. My best friends sister was really into yoga and she talked us into trying it. I am not sure if it was my immaturity but you hear stories about people doing yoga and becoming so relaxed they relieve some serious gas. That is what happened the first time I took yoga, not to me ha, but someone else decided to let one rip and I could not control my laughter... talk about embarrassing. I am not sure if it was more embarrassing for me or for the person who let one slip. From then on, I didn't think I could handle yoga because oh my god, what if I accidentally farted or again, couldn't control my laughter when someone else did!?

I guess I have grown up, even though I still giggle at the sound of a ketchup bottle making a farting noise, thankfully I can now get myself under control and take a yoga class. It only took me six years and I now love it. Yoga has become a stress release for me when I am feeling overwhelmed and well, crazy. It is so incredibly relaxing that I get lost in the stretches and it helps me keep my flexibility and gives me a good stretch after a hard workout. You hear stories about how celebrities swear by yoga and I now understand why. Your muscles stretch, which will help you towards a leaner figure and a better posture. If you have the patience to try it, you should.

Last summer, a friend and I decided to try Bikram Yoga. You are probably thinking we are crazy and who on earth would ever want to take yoga in high heat. I loved it, my friend not so much. It is a hard class to get used to as you need to learn to breathe and stay under control in 100-degrees. After a class, you feel as if you have sweat out the bad toxins in your body, your joints feel a sort of release, and you are more flexible.
On Living Social (a website that gives you discounts, similar to Groupon), they had a deal for 10 classes for $45 at a yoga place close to where I live. A class for Bikram Yoga is extremely expensive (I am not sure why – maybe the heating bill) and is around $18 a class depending on where you go. Again, call me crazy but I am excited to get back into it, even if it is only until my 10 classes run out.
So, if you are brave enough to try a class, you should. You would be surprised how great it will make you feel. Who would have thought that a type of exercise could be so relaxing… but don’t get too relaxed, you might let one rip. ;)