21 things you think during a hot yoga class

Last night I attended my very first hot yoga class ever. I must admit that this wasn't exactly the plan, as I actually thought I was going to yin yoga. Quite soon I realized that something was off; it was boiling hot in the room. ‘Is this the yin class?’ I asked the teacher in a panic. Unfortunately, that class had taken place an hour earlier. Of course, I was more than welcome to get acquainted with hot yoga.

Well, I couldn't just walk out, so I stuck around for the class. Now you probably want to know how I felt about it. Well, I'm still not sure. I found it nice and very uncomfortable at the same time. It was a unique experience, let's leave it at that.

These thoughts raced through my mind while I lay panting on my mat for sixty minutes:

1. Exciting, hot yoga. Very good that you're trying something new. This will surely do you good.
2. Oh no, I'm already feeling warm. Did this class last an hour?
3. Surrender to the heat, this is all part of the process. Focus.
4. My god, do I feel sweat droplets running down my head?
5. How can it go so fast? Could it be around forty degrees here? That must be it.
6. Are other people feeling this hot too? From that heavy panting, it sounds like they find it boiling here as well.
7. Okay, focus. Sweating is really good for you, get rid of those toxins.
8. Now I really have to wash my hair tonight. Or could I postpone it one more day with dry shampoo? No, that's really too gross, my hair is already soaking wet.
9. Are we already halfway through the class? Is there maybe a clock hanging somewhere? No, no clock in sight. Hopefully, it won't take too long anymore.
10. Why are all these people pushing themselves so hard? The teacher says we can take a break, why are you still going into a handstand? Such show-offs here, I swear.
11. OH MY GOD, did a sweat droplet from the neighbor just fly onto me? You can't be serious. Yuck, I want to shower NOW. I'm never doing this again.
12. Phew, I don't think we're anywhere near done. Okay, stop whining, you're here now, just try to participate seriously.
13. Oh, this pose feels quite nice. Am I relaxing now? I think so.
14. I've completely surrendered, enjoying the flow in high temperatures, this is actually quite nice.
15. Well, it's already time for the cooldown. You just survived it, you did it!
16. Incredible, I feel completely reborn. I understand why people do this daily.
17. But did I actually do anything or did I just sweat because it was so hot here? Is this class even a bit effective or is it more of a zen moment?
18.  Whatever it is, I found it nice, but also gross. Are these mats cleaned properly? It's actually quite disgusting that everyone is sweating so close to each other.
19.  Could viruses spread quickly here too? Oh god, maybe I just caught the flu here.
20.  Don't think about it, you were just so nicely zen. Hold onto that. You can shower and disinfect at home right away.
21. You worked on yourself for an hour, I'm more than proud. This is the new you.