I have written here before that one of the most sobering days of your life is when you realize you are not 21 years old anymore and cannot lift all the weight you did back then. I learned the hard way not long when my shoulder decided that it had enough with my nonsense and said, “We’re done.” Lifting weights had been a big part of my life since I was 13 years old so I had to figure out something for my sanity and my physical well-being.
I have said that 45 minutes in the gym lifting weights has been the best therapy in my life as I aged. Now you are telling me that is not possible anymore? Then two things happened that opened my eyes to something that I swore I would never do.
Lane Kiffin, the L.S.U. football coach, while at Ole Miss, kept bragging about going to a hot yoga class in Oxford and how it changed his life. He showed pictures where he dropped about 40 pounds, crediting it all to hot yoga. Then two very close friends of mine were also doing hot yoga and lost a ton of weight and said they had gotten stronger and leaner. You know how we eat with our eyes first, that is what all good chefs will tell you, well the same applies to someone who has transformed their physical appearance. The proof is in the pudding, they say.
So, I did some research and set out to find all I could about hot yoga. I went to a few classes but felt isolated because I could barely touch my toes. Everyone was busy and it is not their responsibility to help me. Then one day I drove by a place called Hot Worx in Hermitage. I had never heard of this place but saw someone coming out with a yoga mat. My curiosity got the best of me, I pulled into the parking lot, did a little research it and walked in.
Life changing.
No pressure; classes by yourself; virtual instructors; go at your own pace; sauna gets up to 130 degrees; and much more. Now if a big hot yoga class works for you, even better. This is about your preference and what makes you feel comfortable. You are not an expert; you will make mistakes; you will fail but you will succeed.
I have been doing hot yoga now for three months at Hot Worx and it is absolutely life changing. Do not think this is only for women because I see a bunch of men taking hot yoga classes as well. Nearly 50 classes down and I am feeling better than I have, maybe in my whole life. I can touch my toes, do squats, push ups, two-minute planks and on and on.
I asked myself, “What has happened to me?” The even 40 year old is asking that. The 21 year old me is as well. Look, this is not a “wow Joe, this is amazing” post. It is an avenue for you to get better and improve your life. I was the biggest cynic of this hot yoga world because I didn’t understand it and couldn’t do it. Now I understand it and can do it and you can as well. I have seen people in their late 70’s take this class, and on down to those in their teens.
Don’t let your cynicism be your best friend. My shoulder feels fine, my body feels fine and most importantly, my mind feels wonderful by doing something I vowed I would never do.
It is truly mind over matter and just the beginning.
