The Adventures of Jessica Sideways

Due to the fact that I selected a Bikram class that is neither close from work or school and is not served by a nearby bus route, I decided that for now, I should probably quit Bikram yoga at the Bikram yoga studio in Westminster. This decision was quite difficult for me to make, as I enjoyed the classes, the heat wasn’t too bothersome, the instructors were kind and patient, and I believe that it was helping me to cope with a lot of the problems that were happening in my life. I definitely want to start this yoga practice again, but I cannot do this at the Westminster Bikram studio. I am planning to find a nearby studio in either Denver or Boulder, because either would be closer to work or home (maybe both when I finally get to move from Denver to Boulder).

I do not intend to stop Bikram yoga entirely, this practice has taken me to levels of deep spiritual and physical growth and I feel that this is something that I seriously need to continue doing, and to restart as soon as possible. However, the Westminster Bikram studio WAS the least expensive in the entire state and even local ones will charge me about $130 a month for unlimited yoga, which will allow me to go to the studio when I wish and practice, assuming that the yoga room is not full. But it’s a cost that I will have to pay, and relatively damn soon as well - as I need to start getting myself thinner, as I am a little over the weight for the regular SRS price. While my weight, in and of itself, will not disqualify me from the surgery, I will have to pay a $1,000 extra charge for Dr. Pichet to operate on me. I know that I could buy a 1 year yoga package with that kind of money, and I probably SHOULD do that…

The benefits of doing the yoga include weight loss, peace of mind, as well as overall improvements in health. Plus, I would be able to bounce back from the surgery much quicker if I had some sort of physical activity that I would perform with some regularity. But to look better in clothes as time goes along - that is a benefit that has immense value to me and a benefit that weighs in the favour of investing more money in the yoga. Plus, I know people who have been helped immensely by this yoga and most everyone in the yoga room at Bikram of Westminster looked quite thin. Maybe with a rigorous diet and a daily practice, I would definitely be able to drop my weight to 150 lbs, which would mean 60 lbs of weight loss. This in and of itself, would create less stigma in my physical appearance and would allow me to feel better about myself.

I might go there again if I move closer to there, but I doubt it due to the fact that it is poorly served by the transit routes. And I am not yet accustomed to walking all the way from the Wagon Road park and ride to yoga, nor from 112th and Federal to the yoga class. I got pretty winded when I reached 120th and Federal and had to stand around there for a little while, trying to gather myself together again. Needless to say, this was quite a commute and one that I really don’t want to do walking. Having said that, the benefits are just not worth having to do that again. I mean, when I move to Boulder and get accustomed to the walking culture of Boulder, or possibly get and learn how to ride a bike, I will probably be a lot more fit to walk these distances. But doing it on the endurance of the soul alone is going to kill me even before I can do it on a combination of the will and endurance of the soul, and the physical fitness.