You probably didn’t have to think too hard to know where I was this morning
Y2 Yoga!!!! I’ve been waiting for 2.5 months to come back to one of Tanner’s classes! Best yoga studio ever 🙂
We were up super early this morning to get in an awesome Super Flow class before we hit the road. Everything was just how I remembered: hot, steamy, challenging, bendy, musical, wet towel feeling, wet washcloth on my face. I even got the water treatment where you get dumped with water during savasana! The water feels amazingly heavy on your stomach. Like a weight. Man I’ve missed this place! I think my favorite moment was during the third round of flow – right when you think you might collapse – Eminem’s “Till I Collapse” came on. I was rockin’ it in my head to the beat 🙂 I think I need to download that song for my iPod!
Caitlin, Nicole, Cassandra and even MATT came to the class (his first official yoga class!)
A Word From Matt about his first hot yoga class:
I’m not a yoga hater or anything, nor do I love it. I guess I’m pretty neutral. I enjoy the calming effects, and the intense stretching, but the times when I’ve done podcasts with Kath I get a little bored midway through. Going to Y2 Yoga for my first organized class pretty much maintained my perception of yoga, however I definitely see why all the girls rave about the studio in general. From the lavender-scented towels to the foot massage, to the clean and modern facilities, it’s really a model for how great a yoga studio can be.
Doing hot yoga was certainly a different experience for me. As a person who loves living in the South during summertime, I loved the sweat and heat. Being able to stretch deeply was a huge positive, and I consider myself a fairly flexible person in the first place. I’d say the hotness made the yoga better in every way, until the third set as I describe below. I felt like I got a great stretch in my back, which is especially nice since my back is always a little tighter thanks to back surgery seven years ago. I also came into the class with a kinda stiff and hurting wrist, and afterwards it feels a lot better. Most importantly, I left feeling pretty excited about the rest of the day.
As for the cons, there’s really only one negative thing I have to say, and it’s probably my fault for having my first class be a 90-minute session. By the third set, I felt pretty close to overheating, and any pose that sent blood to my head was getting really uncomfortable. But having grown up playing organized sports, I’m also prejudiced against quitting in the middle of a workout. So instead I took quite a few breathers here and there. I also obviously need more training on how to properly do poses because frequently I felt like I knew I was doing something wrong, but couldn’t really look at other people to figure out what I should be doing.
Still, I had a good time and maintain my feelings that yoga is a fun activity that I occasionally like to integrate into my workouts. Namaste! (or something)
xoxo Y2!
After class, Matt and I took showers there and headed to Sbux for breakfast and coffee. Thankfully our friends had the same idea!
Before yoga this morning I had a piece of toast with a little Nuttzo and jam – just enough to hold me over. During class I had 1.5 water bottles!
At The Bux, I got a Misto with 1 pump pumpkin and the instant oatmeal – with a pumpkin bread crumble!
And because I always have peanut sunflower butter in my pocket…
I used some of the dried fruit and nuts, plus a small piece of crumbled pumpkin bread and a spoon of CVSB in the oats. Sadly, the instantness of the watery oatmeal was still pretty gross on the bottom. But the top was awesome!
Talk time
Back at Michelle + Ben’s, packing up. And we’re off to our next state: South Cackalacky!
melissa (fitnessnyc) says
totally downloading that song for my half marathon tomorrow. thanks! wish I had a yoga studio like that.
Sarah (Running to Slow Things Down) says
I’ve always wondered how the starbucks oats are. You totally made it work with all those delicious toppings. 😀 Oh, and you ordered my signature drink. I always ask for a grande soy misto with one pump pumpkin. So delish. 😀
Glad to hear you had a fabulous yoga session! 😀
Jazz says
Yay, you got the misto with the one pump pumpkin! that’s my drink!
Kristina @ spabettie says
You DEFINITELY made those SB oats look better! 🙂
claire says
What a fun morning! Love that you brought your naturally nutty!
lisasfoods says
That yoga class sounds amazing. I’ve had friends as yoga instructors who do their own practice to very un-yoga-like music, but I have yet to go to a class like that.
You’ve inspired me to get back into a regular yoga practice. (I got into it many years ago, but have been off again, on again.) I just joined a yoga center near me, and plan to go once or twice a week. Can’t wait to be a part of a yoga community again.
Caitlin says
please note that those are “quotation” marks, not peace signs.
HOLLA YOGA.
Christine says
HAHA! I thought you were: http://www.google.com/images?um=1&hl=en&biw=1440&bih=755&tbs=isch:1&sa=1&q=fob+pose
Allie (Live Laugh Eat) says
All I know is if I’m ever in Charlotte, I have to take a hot yoga class taught by Tanner. Love that you have jars of nut butter in your purse haha
Lea @ Healthy Coconut says
I’ve yet to find a yoga studio that is similar to what you are describing Kat. I’m sure it exists here in L.A., just haven’t looked hard enough.
I enjoyed Matt’s recap, it’s interesting to read his perspective, coming from someone who is neutral to yoga, neither a lover/hater of yoga. My fiance really tried to do yoga but it’s just wasn’t for him, but then his yoga experience is from his P90X DVDs and I think that is very different to yoga at a studio
Gabriela @ Une Vie Saine says
Matt and I sound a lot alike- I enjoy yoga for the stretch, but 90 minutes is way too long for me! The studio sounds amazing though. I love the idea of the lavender towels!
Erika @ Food, Fitness, & Fun says
Your Yoga Studio sounds so peaceful! I see why you missed it so much.
I love your oatmeal creations…before reading your blog I would just have a plain bowl of oatmeal. Now it feels “naked” if I don’t put more than 2 toppings on it! Haha! 🙂
Heather says
Safe travels! I always travel with soy nut butter as well – since no one has it!
I love starbucks oatmeal in a pinch!
Cathy B. @ Bright Bakes says
Looks like fun! And I think we all agree….topping help out any bowl o’ oats!!
🙂
Cathy B. @ brightbakes
J3nn (Jenn's Menu and Lifestyle Blog) says
LOL, every time I see Sbux I think of their stock symbol. Sbux oats are quite tasty! I get them with ALL the toppings. 😀
Amanda (Eating Up) says
Starbucks is my go-to place when I can’t find anything else to eat. Have you had their smoothies? They’re actually really good and loaded with protein! Probably not as good as yours though…
Lily's Health Pad says
Gosh I wish I had a yoga studio to go to like that! Lavendar towels sound amazing. Your feelings about Y2Y are similar to my feelings about my old gym. Whenever I go back, I realized just how much I’ve missed it!!
Emily says
Looove yoga, fall, and seeing good friends!! Looks like such a great day already; I love getting up early and really enjoying every bit of my weekend! Have fun!!
Nicole @ yuppie yogini says
So cool meeting you. Glad you were able to get your yoga fix!
chiara says
i had back surgery myself last summer. curious what matt had done if he is comfortable sharing. glad he has had a full recovery!
Kath says
He had a protruding disc (which was genetic) when he was 20 and had a spinal fusion to fuse the joint with cadaver bone. It was a pretty big deal, but he’s been fine ever since.
chiara says
glad he is feeling better. i had a two level spinal fusion last year. fusion is no joke. long story but had a skiing accident 7 years ago and the pain got worse and worse. totally inspiring to see how athletic Matt is after a fusion. I was fused two levels but was advised to not do much running going forward. or yoga. I had been a big runner previously. have a great weekend! still love the blog!
Kath says
He was told he had practically no physical limitations. I wonder if it was the level of trouble? Hope you’re doing better!
stacey-healthylife says
What a great class especially with the whole gang.
Annie@stronghealthyfit says
Sounds like an awesome morning!
lynn (The Actors Diet) says
that starbucks oatmeal always looks so good on blogs!
Anastasia says
Thanks for including Matt’s experience in his own words. I’m glad to read about someone who has always been on the fence about yoga, which oddly enough makes me curious to give it another try! If a non-yogini can do it, then I can, too!
Jamie @ Food in Real Life says
I actually really like the oats from Starbucks- and for some reason I get really excited about the mini packs of raisins and the fact that I can have ALL of the toppings and it doesn’t cost more.
Jasmine @ Eat Move Write says
So cool you and Caitlin live so close. I have been craving yoga lately, too. I’m thinking I’ll get my yoga on tomorrow.
Kath says
We don’t live close at all! Which is a huge bummer. I’m just visiting.
Mama Pea says
I don’t think Matt really took the class. You all are all hot red-faced and sweaty and he’s sitting there perfectly groomed. “Um yeah, I ran a marathon this morning too….” 😉
Kath says
🙂
Natalia - a side of simple says
Yay so great that you got back to Tanner’s class!!
Sana says
They dump water on you? This palace sounds awseomeee!
Reka says
I love your posts about eating out! But you know, I was just thinking today…how in the world can you and Matt afford to eat out with friends so often? Do you have it budgeted? It adds up so quickly. Anyways, I was just curious 🙂
Reka
Kath says
We budget it in
Reka says
And oh, I am def. not a fan of Starbucks oats either. I agree, it is gross. Unless I get to bring my own toppings 🙂 So, good job Kath! 🙂
holly @ couchpotatoathlete says
How fun to visit your old stomping ground. I love going back to my college town and doing all the things I used to do there: my coffee shop stop, old gym, see my old apartment building, my old running trail, etc. It sure brings the memories back!
Eileen says
Thanks, Matt, for your perspective. I have very similar feelings about yoga. I *want* to like it more, but I’m not quite there yet. I also nearly hit the wall in my first hot yoga class and was too stubborn to quit.
Kath, that class with Tanner has always sounded so amazing, and I’m jealous that you had a class that integrated music throughout. I think that would help me enjoy yoga much more, but so far, the closest I’ve gotten is some quiet instrumentals during the final portion of the class. I would loooooooooooove a class with a little Eminem!
Paige @Running Around Normal says
What a fun class! Glad you got to sneak one in:)
chelsey @ clean eating chelsey says
I love how you travel with nut butters – you’re my kind of girl.
Grocery Goddess Jen says
The closest full service yoga studio to me is 30 minutes away, and too expensive for me, otherwise it’s just gym yoga. Maybe someday I’ll live close enough to a studio so I can go regularly! You make it sound great.
Tina says
I bet that felt amazing! Not only to connect with your yoga squeeze but also good friends. 🙂
Mara @ What's for Dinner? says
It helps if you, you know, stir your instant oatmeal to get the water off the bottom. Starbucks’ oatmeal kind of rocks if its stirred.
Angela @ Eat Spin Run Repeat says
Sounds like a fantastic morning! I love that you brought sunflower butter to Starbs…. that’s genius! Having done a bit of yoga here and there, including the hot kind, my opinion is similar to Matt’s in that it’s fun and something I like to do occasionally – mainly for how good it makes me feel to get a good stretch. I do find it a bit repetitive though, so it’s not a regular part of my workouts. Having said that, at the moment I wish I had time for more yoga because I love the feeling afterward! Have a great afternoon! 🙂
Camille says
Yay! 2 of my favorite bloggers united again!
Heather says
glad you got to go back to yoga! Love Matts point of view! My husband probably would have said the same thing.
Kjirsten- Balanced Healthy Life says
Nothing like Starbucks on a Saturday morning!
Marisa @ Loser for Life says
I have that song on my playlist! Gets me through a run every time!
Gabriela @ Fro-Yo Lover says
Awww – it’s lovely to see you and Caitlin together!
You guys really look like best friends… I wish I had one in blogworld that lived near me 🙂
citygirl says
might you be preggies?
Cara Craves... says
Sounds like an intense class, good on Matt for giving it a go!
Sarah @ BikingNBaking says
I would love to go to a yoga studio like that! It sounds like a spa! Even though I love hot yoga, I feel like it’s a little too much. I love how much I can bend in the heat, but if my body can’t do that in the normal weather I think it’s probably not good to force it with warm temps. Mostly I love how my skin feels after sweating so much!
Hannah says
And the top is all that matters, really 🙂 Hurrah for the class being as good as you remembered!
Lindsay | DW says
I’m actually taking one of tanner’s classes at Y2 this week for the FIRST time. Everyone goes on and on about how amazing he is and how much they love the studio. So excited about it 🙂
Enjoy the rest of your travels!
Marian Schembari says
Love the Davidson shirt… 😉