My boyfriend and I are doing a 30-day Bikram challenge, which means that we attend Bikram every day for 30 days. We can miss up to two days during that time, but then we have to make it up by doing a double, two Bikram classes in one day. I’ve never done a double before, and I really don’t want to start! Bikram is always a series of 26 postures for 90 minutes in 105 degree heat. It’s intense and a huge time commitment.

When I first moved back to SLC, I bought a year’s worth of unlimited Bikram yoga. In fact, I chose my apartment based on it’s proximity to the studio where I wanted to practice. During the summer, I think I went for about two weeks in a row. I went nearly daily, but I would miss a day here or there. Since school started, I’ve gone consistently four to five times a week. I have never gone for 30 days in a row.

During Saturday’s class, I had the strong desire to start the 30-day challenge. It’s something that I’ve had on my mind for awhile. The timing finally seemed right. I’ve been going mostly alone for the last five months, but circumstances are such that now my guy can attend with me. Because he is not on an unlimited yearly pass, we wanted to make the most out of his time in Bikram. Once we made the commitment to start, a work-study program came through for him, meaning that he’ll clean the studio once a week in exchange for unlimited yoga. This felt like karma somehow. Once we made the decision to do it, we were rewarded.

As cheesy as it sounds, I think we’ve both been re-energized by the prospect of a new year and new beginnings. So, we’re doing Bikram everyday for 30 days, and along with that we’re not eating out at fast food restaurants, unless we are with friends, or if it is during a work day and, for whatever reason, we aren’t able to bring a lunch.

Yesterday was our third day in a row of Bikram. This is nothing new to me because last semester I attended class Fridays through Sundays. The hardest days for me will be Mondays, Wednesdays, Thursdays, and Fridays. Those are the days where I’ll have to teach and work long hours and then take Bikram in the evenings. Evening classes are nice because I’m usually more flexible by the end of the day, but I’m also tired at the end of the day. I prefer to go mid-morning.

I’m hoping that this adventure is good for us individually and for our relationship (it already has been). I’m hoping that we’ll feel healthier and fitter by the end of it. My calendar is such that I think I could actually do a 60-day challenge, but I’m going to focus on getting through this 30-day challenge first.