I am NOT LOYAL

I am back at my original Bikram studio. Well, almost, the original studio was by Yuk Yuk's on Cambie and this studio is in City Square mall. I have been to it before but it was called Bikram Yoga Vancouver. Anyways, I felt disloyal leaving Bikram for a studio closer to my home. (Westcoast Hot Yoga in Yaletown) When that studio started changing all its classes to one hours, I got frustrated and went back to Bikram. When I went back to work after having Christian, I didn't have as much time. I had to get my workouts in the morning I had to leave Bikram 15 minutes early to get to work. I hated interrupting the class by leaving. Another new studio opened up by me (One Hour Hot) and I went there for a few years. They only had one hours. Ironic. I came back from Florida and that studio closed (with my membership...). I decided to try Bikram Yoga Delta, on the way to school. I just had to get up really early to get there for 6am. I also got some class passes for YYoga. There are two of them within walking distance of my home. They just don't have 6ams I can attend. I do love the space, variety, and walkability.

When I first left Bikram, I felt bad. I have come back and see and recognize some of the same students. I see how they have improved over the years. I feel like I am at home. At the same time, I am ok being not loyal. I have learned a lot from visiting other studios and teachers. I shouldn't feel bad for trying to make my practice and my journey fit into my work life and budget. We are all here for the same reason - to practice together and share our energy.

It is good to be back and I feel like I will always come back to this studio. This is my home base.

Pure Barre Yaletown

Pure Barre is like Yoga. Let me explain myself, because it is probably only like yoga to me. Back in the day, before I did my first Bikram yoga class in 2005, I thought that yoga was for hippies. What I am saying is, I am a hippie and I am proud. No really, I am saying that I had a preconceived notion of what yoga was and who it was for. It wasn't until I had a boyfriend who was a Bikram yogi that I had the motivation to try a class. He went to a class by himself, came back, and told me about it. I got stuck on the idea of him being surrounded by hot, half naked, sweaty chicks, and decided that this was something he needed to be escorted to. Eventually, the boy was gone but hot yoga was still mine. I love hot yoga.

Yoga is like Pure Barre in the way that I had a preconceived notion about who practices Pure Barre and what it is. I feel bad that I thought that all yogis were hippies, just like I feel bad that I thought that Pure Barre students were all people who wanted to be ballet dancers but never really went for it. Oh that sounds so bad. Anyone can dance, just like those who never really went for it are still dancers. I am embarrassed by my thoughts because that is not what I promote. I don't think that I am better than anyone else, in fact it is the opposite. As for the workout, I thought it would be more like ballet, but it is ALL workout.

I am a real dancer. If I want a ballet workout I will just to go Harbour and take class. These were some of the thoughts in my head. My mind started to change when Jonathon sent me a link to an article about the creators of barre workouts. I don't have the article anymore. The important part is that it was originally created by an injured dancer as part of her recovery. Again, it is a partner that is motivating me to try this type of workout. Jonathon always informs me when another studio appears near our home. He then tells me that one day I will teach that. We will have our studio and I will get to teach all the classes I like. (And have choreographic workshops... super excited about the future. The present is not bad either.)

Here is my experience. I started off with a one week pass. $20 for one week. That is good. I went everyday. I had a couple of weeks off and got school started and then I had a $79 month pass. Somehow, I was able to attend 38 classes over the last few months. At first, I was put off by the students in the class. No one smiled. I smiled. I tried. I sweat. I said good morning to everyone, even if they didn't acknowledge me. I gave them the benefit of the doubt - it is 6am... maybe you don't have your hearing aides in? Eventually, people greeted me back and there was more of a happy feeling in my heart. Now that I am not there, I miss them.

All of the teachers are lovely. I did mostly 6am's, so I am seeing these instructors first thing in the morning. I know not all of them are morning people and that some of them probably wished they were still in bed. Regardless of the time, they were all very awesome. I did have a favourite, I won't name names, but once there were only two of us at the 6am class and she taught super fast so the student that always leaves early to get to work, could get both sides done. Then, she gave me a really good stretch. Who doesn't love that?

The studio is great. It has everything you need and it is right across the street from me. I love getting up and walking to my workout. I like to see my city in the morning, as opposed to just driving straight to work and working out there.

I guess the thing I am missing here is, did it work? I am not much for weighing and measuring, but I feel stronger and leaner. There are old muscles that I haven't worked or stretched in a while. However, there isn't that much cardio. I think Pure Barre is a good addition to your workout repertoire. I did enjoy going everyday, to learn how it works, I would suggest that for anyone just starting. As you learn the exercises and technique, I think you should also branch out and get a hot yoga, a run, or spin class in there. OH... and go and visit Harbour and dance, dance, dance!