My Latest Fitness Obsessions

I've recently taken up Pilates (again, which I did over the summer) and Bikram Yoga in an effort to stretch out my muscles and relax my joints (which are tight from weekly running sessions) and to also relax my mind.



Pilates can be done in a mat class or on a machine called a Reformer, which is what I use. The instructor leads a small class (mine is only 4) through a series of motions on the machine - there are no rests and the body continuously moves through each different exercise. This really works every muscle in the body, but in particular the abdominal muscles which are engaged throughout the entire session - mine still hurt from two days ago!



Bikram Yoga is a series of poses led by an instructor in a room heated to a temperature of over 100 degrees (to help facilitate stretching). This one has really tested my balance - I still have trouble with the pose in the second picture! I love it, though - very relaxing and it makes you focus on the poses themselves instead of all the other crap we have going on in our lives.

I highly suggest trying one or both of these practices if classes are offered near you!