With my second week at LVS coming to a close, I'm starting to get into the swing of things around here. After a few busy days of phone calls, interviews, editing, re-writing and editing again, I'm quickly learning how important a relaxing outlet can be for working men and women. What's even more important is finding a way to unwind that's also healthy and beneficial. One article I wrote this week opened my eyes to Bikram yoga, a practice I cannot wait to try.
I'm one of those people who love to exercise. I try to work out every day, but that's much easier when you have unlimited free time and don't have an hour-long commute home from the office. Like most people, life gets in the way. I always want to make the most of my time spent in the gym so I can get home to something I'd rather be doing . . . even if that's watching The Real Housewives of NJ (don't judge). What makes working out even less appealing is that it's usually not very interesting, and the same old workout routine can become a drag. Though I'm always up for a cardio workout like running, there is practically nothing more boring in this world than running on a treadmill, and the boredom factor weighs pretty heavily against running's many benefits (making the couch and TV look all the more appealing).
I'm always trying to find a workout that's new and different and makes me look forward to hitting the gym. In my research of Bikram yoga, I learned about its cardio and strength benefits, as well as the variety in each class. I had the opportunity to interview two certified Bikram yoga teachers who are in the process of opening a yoga studio in Bethlehem (look out for my Life in the Valley write-up in the November issue!).
They described the practice as a detox for your mind, body and spirit, which is exactly what we all need after a week of work. It's practiced in 105 degree heat and 40 percent humidity to loosen your muscles, open your pores and help you sweat out your body's toxins. Even if we thrive in a busy environment and enjoy having a heavy workload, it's still important to clear our heads of the chaos and not let our daily stress get the best of us. For me, Bikram yoga may just be a perfect way to do that. I can't wait to find out. Lastly, I encourage everyone to find that necessary outlet from the hectic office environment; whether you're trying a new exercise routine, exploring yoga or simply positioning your treadmill in front of the TV.
