Embrace The Sweat: Hot Yoga and Indoor Cycling
In a sense, I work out to look good. But this whole looking good thing is a process, I'm not expecting to look good right away and thank goodness because after I get out of hot yoga or a CycleBar class, I look like I have gone through hell and back. Today's society has this myth that it's so easy to take a Soul Cycle class and meet your friends for brunch directly after. Um, excuse me. I don't plan on any social interactions after these classes until I can take a shower and look decent again.I have been dancing since I was very young so I have always lived a very active lifestyle. During my senior year of high school, I knew I wouldn't be continuing dance in college but I also knew that I needed to keep my body moving. I tried working out at the gym but I never really felt excited about it. I had heard a lot about rhythmic spin classes like SoulCycle but they completely terrified me. After talking to my trainer at the gym, she suggested I take one of the spin classes there. My very first rhythmic spin class was from Jeff Howard (check him out, he's amazing, y'all) and from that moment, I was hooked. Sadly, once I got to college the spin classes at school weren't exactly what liked so I took a slight spin hiatus but I still continued my yoga practice on and off (I'll talk more about this later). Some people say their body craves a good run or a cheeseburger but my body craves a good spin class.
Staying Active through Indoor Cycling
When I got home for the summer, I knew my fitness routine needed an update. I was getting tired of going to the gym everyday and dreading it. Thankfully a CycleBar studio opened up near my house so I started going. This sounds dramatic but spin has changed me as a person. When I am clipped in to the bike, pedalling to the beat of the music, not only do I feel like the strongest version of myself but I feel like I am in my own world. It is 50 minutes during the day where I can leave everything out of the studio and focus on the music. In that sense, it brings me back to my dancing days and I think that's why I love it so much.Some people can do a 50 minutes spin class 5 days out of the week and stay in tip-top shape. As much as I love spin, just doing spin is not enough for me. Not only does it exhaust me, my muscles get used to the movement of the bike and I don't feel like I am working the different groups of muscles.
How I incorporate Yoga
I have found that hot yoga or just yoga in general is the perfect compliment to spin. Yoga is more of a mental thing for me. Yes, it is a great work out which leans and tones you but it has taught me a lot about myself. It has taught me that I need to listen to my body and hear what it needs and likes. It has taught me that it's okay not to be perfect and that you shouldn't always worry about comparing yourself to others but rather to just do what is best for you.Yes, spin and hot yoga are not easy. Yes, you will sweat A LOT during them. Yes, they aren't for everyone. But these two things make me feel good. They make my body, mind, and soul feel good.
Listen. To. Your. Body
This summer, I have learned a lot about myself and life in general. I have learned that giving yourself a break is ok. Taking a week (or two) off of working out isn't the end of the world. Life is all about balance. For me, right now, I am finding that fitness balance between hot yoga and spin. What will that look like when I go back to school? I'm not sure – but I will cross that bridge when I get there.Be kind to your body and remember that you are always changing. What worked for you a month ago might not work for you now. Find what your body craves and give in.That's all for now, folks.All my love, Nikki