Working out is both expensive and time-consuming. With a tight budget and a tight schedule, young professionals in Boston need quick, down and dirty, honest reviews of gyms, studios and fitness classes in the city. In the Happy Hour Athlete series, BostInno will attend classes and write first-impression reviews about our experiences – from what to wear, to what the music was like, to who you’ll be working out next to. We’ll also tell you where to get a drink after getting your sweat on.
When I talked to Vyda Bielkus, one of the four sister founders of Health Yoga Life, about yoga tips for beginners, she inspired me. Despite being as inflexible as a piece of dry wood, I, too, could pick up the practice, which involves both physical challenges and mental meditation, with a little hard work and determination.
So, I headed to the second-floor studio to see for myself: was I cut out for the mat? The 5:45 p.m. Power ‘n Flow Yoga class (which Vyda told me was all levels, but would be fine), taught by Karen Fabian, would help me find out. The small, clean studio was scented with incense, and the receptionist Jessie provided me with a quick tour, a mat, and a towel. She told me I could grab blocks and a strap if I wanted after I went into the classroom. …Did I want to? I grabbed both just in case. (Hint: you’ll most likely need blocks, but if you don’t know how to use a strap, don’t bother.) I sat down to stretch and waited for the class to start.
Happy Hour Athlete’s First Impression
Classroom: The studio’s classroom is heated and incensed, with windows overlooking Cambridge Street. Don’t let the hot room intimidate you; the warmth is better on your muscles, and you likely won’t be breathing too hard to feel suffocated. Plus, there’s no mirrors, so you won’t be distracted by how much you’re sweating.
Where to Sit: Situate your mat so you’re not all up in your fellow yogi’s business — you’ll need room to spread out. If you’re a newbie, it’s smart to sit behind others so you can keep an eye on their motions if you get confused by a direction. But the instructor will make her rounds in the room, so there’s no point trying to hide from her attention.
Who You’ll Be Sitting Next To: This particular yoga class happened to be all women of a variety of ages, but mostly in their 20s to 30s. When I was leaving I did spot a man in spandex shorts making his way into the next class, though.
What to Wear: The last thing you want is your clothing to get in the way as you twist and bend. Wear fitted but not constricting workout clothes — you can finally put those yoga pants to their proper use. As for shoes, just wear slip ons; you won’t want to deal with socks and tennis shoes afterward.
What You’ll Do: Unless it’s Bikram, every yoga class can vary based on the instructor. This week, we were working on our QL and psoas muscles, which help the spine. If you’re curious about poses, we covered the Vinyasa series, downward dog, tree, childs, upward dog, chair, warrior, and more. A quick glance to your neighbor will help if you get confused, but a quick Google search can get you prepared ahead of time with the basics.
What You’ll Hear: Not music. The room will be filled with your instructor’s voice, giving direction and supplementing each move with what it’s working and why that’s important. You’ll also hear lots of deep breathing — don’t forget to inhale and exhale with purpose during the poses.
Who Will Teach You: Karen, the founder of Bare Bones Yoga, was very knowledgeable in the practice, having just come back from a teacher’s retreat in Spain with lots of new ideas, and also super helpful and supportive. I usually cringe when instructors single me out for doing something wrong in a group class (which is often), but I appreciated Karen’s assistance as she tried to sort out my mess of a downward dog, and the rest of the class likely didn’t even notice.
Level of Difficulty: On a scale of 1 (a couch potato could do it) to 10 (it would be hard even for Bo Jackson), the physical difficulty was about a 4. If you haven’t worked out in a while, your stamina could likely carry you through this class on the first try, especially since yoga allows you to rest and take breaks whenever you need to. The heat cranked up the physical push, but the real challenge of yoga lies in perfecting the poses and mastering the breathing to accompany the motions. (That’s not to say I’m not feeling it in my muscles today.)
Length of Class: About an hour and 30 minutes.
Location: 12 Temple Street in Beacon Hill, at the corner of Temple and Cambridge Streets. About a five minute walk from the Government Center T stop.
Would I Do It Again? Absolutely. Since yoga uses your body to work your body, the ease on the joints is amazing, and you can just feel how good it is for you, both mentally and physically. Lots of practice is the only way to get more comfortable and confident in your yoga abilities, and Health Yoga Life happily welcomes beginners.
Where to Reward Yourself: The Tip Tap Room is right around the corner at 138 Cambridge Street, and their Redrum cocktail (red pepper-infused rum, cabernet, ginger, lime, and mint) sounds like a perfect post-yoga cleanser.
