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If you're interested in finding a new fav sport or exercise,  but are just a little bit nervous about actually taking the plunge and want a few pointers first, our new section Active nzgirl, is perfect for you!
Julz Darroch (you might have seen her on Good Morning), our resident fitness guru, will try out a range of new and different fitness classes and bring you her very own verdict.
It's a little like trying before you buy - without you having to ever step foot outside your home! This week she tries her hand at Bikram Yoga... .jpg) BackgroundCan I share a secret? I’ve never done a yoga class before. I must be the only person in the world who can say that. To be honest I have the attention threshold of a goldfish on a bad day so I can imagine my leg would be up in the air for only a nanosecond before I’d notice my legs needed moisturising and I’d be out of there...
So off I go to try Yoga. Not just standy, bendy, stretchy yoga but a 90 minute class in a well heated room. It’s called Bikram Yoga and is a series of 26 poses and breathing exercises designed to not only stretch and relax you but also get your heart rate up.
.jpg) Pre lessonEveryone I tell that I am off to Bikram tells me how hard it is, even for really stretchy people. Considering my lack of bendiness is second only to my lack of attention then I may find myself bent in a funny way with no way of leaving until the class is over. I have moisturised my legs just in case. I am a bit of a fan of heat and it’s a bit cold this morning so I am excited about that! The website ( www.bikramyoga.co.nz) had some info to read before attending, so I am dressed lightly and have my towel, and a BIG bottle of water.  After the lessonEven if you aren’t a yoga girl, just hanging out in a warm room in the middle of winter makes this class worth the effort. All those people who tried to scare me - big raspberries to them! Yes, it was a hard workout but everyone was very normal with a wide variety of abilities so I didn’t feel like a big un-co geek. Everyone was working at a different level.
The instructor was cool; she didn’t do the exercises but focused on telling us what to do. if in doubt, I just checked out the two people in front of me. I sweated like 10,000 crazy things, so am happy for my lack of layers and water. I left a very happy, relaxed and tired nzgirl!
.jpg) ProsIt will make you more flexible for sure, if done regularly. It’s an awesome ‘time out’ exercise; if you are a stress bunny then this could work for you. Cons If you aren’t a fan of heat then watch out! Ninety minutes well spent, but probably a bit of a struggle to fit into your lunch hour. It's also not widely practiced, so it may be difficult to do if you live outside a big city.  Now it’s your turn...You'll need a towel, very little clothing, and the ability to be quiet for an hour and a half. Cost I went to Bikram Yoga Wellington at level 2 133- 139 Tory St in Wellington City. They have a deal where you pay $10 for your first lesson and you can do a second class for free if you do it within a week. Their website www.bikramyoga.co.nz has info about them and a links page with details of other centres around NZ.
Julz
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