Hey Gym Monkeys,

It’s time to convert your heel hooks into Garudasana. Yes, I’ll admit it’s hard to build stoke for a yoga sess: You won’t get your adrenaline fix, the ladies will upstage you, and yogis say Namaste, not “crush it!” But there’s no need to be such a downer, here’s a mantra to help you get your Zen on:

MORE BEND = MORE SEND

Fit a stretching sess into your weekly training schedule and you’ll be more bendy… and more bendy equals more sendy! Get it? Got it. Good!

Now, for the parsimonious kind, I recommend boarding the yoga studio circuit train. Try different locales every other week, and you’ll pay less. Often, your first drop-in class is free or you can score a two-week unlimited pass for a bargain. Also keep your eye out for Downward Dog-inspired Groupons.

CLASSES TO TRY

Hot Yoga (Bikram)

Sweat ‘til you can’t sweat no more. If you throw yourself on pumpy routes, just for the pure torture of it all, you’ll love what Bikram yoga has to offer. Wear skimpy shorts, bring two towels, and guzzle lots of water before you mat down. Surviving the 90-minute stretch sess without leaving the room will feel just as satisfying as ticking off that overhanging pump monster marked 11b.

Power or Flow

You get the usual mix of yoga poses with a high emphasis on core strength, flexibility, and breathing. The classes are faster paced and definite winners for cross-training. For me, enjoyment and engagement highly depends on the instructor. If you find a teacher that holds your attention and gets your burn on, keep going back.

Yin or Restorative

If you’re injured or on a rest day, it’s a good way to eat up an afternoon. You’ll hold the poses for what feels like a century, so be prepared to enter a meditative head space. Bulldoze a wandering mind and repeat after me:

More Bend = More Send.

Useful Links

Yoga Mats

Yoga Pants *

*Note: Yoga pants are not actually pants.