I’m hanging up my running shoes for this weekend because:
1) My back, neck, and knees were hurting, so no high impact workout.
2) Running was starting to feel like a routine, so taking a break for a few days will be a good way to mentally reset myself.
I knew the right remedy for this was a good stretch, and I immediately thought about a hot pilates class that I used to go at a boutique gym/studio called Urban Spring. Unfortunately, the class that I wanted did not fit into my timing. So, out of curiosity, I stumbled across an app called KFit (it might not be available worldwide yet, but it is available in Asia), where you can find thousands of drop-in classes for gym, yoga, bootcamp, TRX, etc. and you can redeem one free class per month. And that’s where I found the perfect alternative – a hot yoga class at a new studio called Hot Yo Studio.
I prefer small, independent, boutique gyms/studios over franchises. They make me feel right at home because the crowd is smaller and more intimate.
I love how they put thought into the design, continuing on the monochrome theme from the studio, to the receptionist, changing room, and even the shower.
As soon as I sat down on my yoga mat in the 38°C studio, I can feel my muscles and joints starting to relax. There was a range of flexibility and experience from today’s crowd, so the instructor focused on some really basic ones such as tree pose, cobra pose, and pigeon pose, but she did encouraged us to follow more complicated poses as well such as half lotus toe balance.
Warming up
My last experience in hot pilates has taught me to wear as simple as possible. Inner hijab caps are a big no, because the tight fabric will hinder circulation, causing a massive headache from the heat. Thankfully, Nashata’s Iman hijab was sufficient to ensure that my hair stays in place without the help of a cap. It is also advisable to wear something form-fitting yet not too tight, so the instructor will be able to tell if you are doing your poses correctly.
Nashata’s outfits are not limited to running only. They are perfect for other work outs too!
At the end of the 60 minutes session, I felt ‘light’ and toned because the sweat has helped me detoxified, and the best part was the back and knee pain was gone! It was a good stretch to realign my posture and loosen up the tight muscles. I did not experience any muscle soreness or fatigue, and I am now mentally recharged to start running again. I’ll be back as soon as I can slot in a session between my running schedule!
A cold and refreshing shower after the work out, with complimentary shampoo, conditioner, shower gel, and towel.
For more info, head to:
Urban Spring’s website (http://www.urban-spring.com/intro.html) for more info on hot pilates
Hot Yo Studio’s website (http://hotyostudio.com/#home) for more info on hot yoga
Until next week,
The Weekend Runner.
