I had the pleasure of experiencing Bikram Yoga Silverlake. Wikipedia describes Bikram to be a system of Yoga synthesized from traditional Hatha Yoga; 26 postures and 2 breathing exercises are practiced in a room heated to 105 F. Sounds like torture, doesn't it?? Maybe, but the benefits of regular practice are endless; stress reduction, improved flexibility, weight reduction, are just to name a few. Visit, www.BikramYoga.com for more information on the practice. A trusted friend's recommendation led me to Choose Bikram Yoga Silverlake. The studio is conveniently located in the center of Atwater village, and this is where my journey begins.
As I enter the front doors, I am slapped in the face with a gush of humidity and hot air. I revive into my consciousness and am greeted by 2 friendly ladies behind the front desk. They welcome me graciously, explain the rules and I sign in for my first class. I was warned earlier that day about being fully hydrated, so to make certain I was prepared, I pounded my liter of "Zico Water" and was packing a back up, ready to take on my first Bikram Yoga class.
There exist decent sized changing rooms for men and women, a place to leave ones belongings and 2 unisex washrooms in the studio and the large opened studio itself. I settled myself into my personal space, yoga mat in place and found my focal point at mirror forward. I began to perspire. Our eloquently spoken teacher led us into our first breathing exercise. As the class advanced, the combination of the postures and the escalated heat created sensation within my mind and body I was not familiar with. As my sweating accelerated, the practice became more difficult at times and uncomfortable; I was perspiring from places I never knew existed.
I was impressed by the lack of odor and aura of bacteria; the studio was more hygienic than this Fitness Guy expected. An hour into the class, I was already fatigued and still had 30 minutes more to endure; somehow, I found the strength to continue. Just as I felt the need to file for physical and mental bankruptcy, the moment arrived; the last breathing exercise.
The art of Bikram is a powerful practice and has been proven to not only cure ailments and disease, but also reshape the body and purify the mind. The initial class is not the most positive experience, but with continued practice, the Bikram community promises results.
The first few classes were less then enjoyable, but my continued commitment is when I noticed a change. I have been practicing Bikram religiously for just over a month and have undergone a metamorphosis on my mind and body and I continue to feel fantastic each time I go.
The instructors are articulate, the studio is cleanly, and the prices are reasonable. If you have the commitment to improving the mind and body , then you should try Bikram Yoga Silverlake. It is a total altering experience, Namaste.
Easton Gym Hollywood is a hidden gem amongst the masses in LaLa land. Located on Beverly Blvd nestled between Crescent Heights and Fairfax, this boutique health club combines simple functionality, and style with a heart.
Most gyms out there care more about the quantity they are consuming through the front door, then the quality of menu inside. Allowing myself to be cliche, Easton Gym Hollywood is the "Cheers" of fitness facilities in Los Angeles. The exposed brick walls and floor to ceiling windows provide a city loft feel. There is ample equipment, machines and free weights; just enough for a decent selection and yet not an overwhelm of confusion. State of the art treadmills, ellipticals and stationary bikes fill the cardio area. Including the locker rooms, everything always seems to be clean; how impressive is that? Very few fitness clubs in LaLa Land can say they hold up to the sanitary standard.
The third floor, consists a group fitness area, also exposed brick, a boxing area and numerous pieces of fitness supplies to satisfy any one's needs. Easton Gym Hollywood offers a variety of classes, Matt Pilates, TRX, Spinning and MMA fighting to name a few. Outside the fitness room is an open roof top patio with breathtaking views of Hollywood, relaxing lounge chairs and ample work room. Whether you're trying to stay in shape or in it, just get your HUGE on, Easton Gym Hollywood is the hometown fitness GEM for you. Easton is where this Fitness Guy will be working out; stop on by, maybe Ill see you there. www.EastonGymCo.com
Just like most people, It's tough when you're on a tight schedule and trying to get in a good workout. What's more troublesome is when you visit a health club that you're not familiar with. This brings me to my most recent visit to 24 Hour Fitness in Pasadena. I was between appointments, passing through the Pasadena area and a workout at this location seemed to be a perfect fit...so I thought.
Our report begins before I even enter the building. This 24 Hour Fitness location seemed to be located in an office building off Colorado Blvd. As I drove down the side street, I located the entrance to the club, but didn't see a designated parking area. Confused, I thought maybe I just wasn't looking hard enough. I circled the building again with no success. Extremely frustrated at 24 Hour's lack of efficiency, I decided to ask a passer by leaving the gym if there was parking. The gentleman kindly offered me assistance and I quote, "At the end of the street, you want to make a left. After you make a right you'll see that parking structure up there, make a right into it. The gym will validate the ticket for for you". The parking facility wasn't that far of a walk from the 24 hour entrance, but I was dumbfounded that there was no indication anywhere that this parking structure was for 24 hour fitness...strike one.
As I enter the building, I walk down a flight of stairs toward the front desk. The polite attractive blond at the counter offered me directions toward the locker room; I thought to myself maybe this won't be so bad, at least the staff seemed nice (refer back to this assumption later in this review). As she gives me directions down a hall, down another flight of stairs, down another hall, I was already confused. For anyone that has been to Vegas before, I felt like I was getting directions to my set of elevators that lead to my room at the Mirage Hotel and Casino. The locker room is clean, a plus finally. I drop my belongings and I am ready to begin my workout.
As I begin to navigate my way through this windowless dungeon of fitness, I finally find my way through the tunnel system that can best be aesthetically compared to the underground walkway between 42nd and 34st stations in the New York subway system, Strike 2. Phew, will I ever get through this day?
I enter a weight room area that was completely disorganized, it would intimidate most less acquainted fitness enthusiasts. I stop to organize my play list and am about to make a game plan, I am interrupted by "A Master Trainer" as what his shirt says. This not very well-spoken staff member rudely informs me that I am in the trainer area and I can not be there because they and I quote, "keep important stuff in here". Well, my experience just keeps getting better I facetiously tell myself. At this point I am running short on time so I navigate toward the treadmills to at least get some cardio in. Well, I find an elliptical that was not the newest to say the least and get somewhat of a decent workout in for the day. Strike 3, 4 and.....
I have been disappointed before, but this is the creme of the crop of letdowns. In my opinion, save yourself the annoyances and frustration. You're better off running the streets of Colorado Blvd instead, you'll save yourself some money, breathe fresh air and at least you wont be underground. That's just this Fitness guys opinion, I know I won't be going back....until next time.
I was curious about this newly designed health club, so I ventured into West Hollywood and took a basic Yoga class. Parking is a bear so I decided to walk the 6 blocks from my home. In addition, I had forgotten my yoga mat, but I figured, "Hey, they'll have one for me to use. I mean they just re-opened their doors, they should at least be clean". I get there to witness the claustrophobic, Group X room; strike one. Still staying positive, I waited for the doors to open. As we entered the room, they had mats, although not yoga mats, I made due. Now, I'm not as flexible as all you ladies, so I require a yoga block when taking class. 24 Hour Fitness, did not offer any for use. As another strike comes in, I inhale into my " Nadi Sodhana" breath and move on.
As class begins, The instructor (for lack of a better term) starts her playlist and has us begin in a child's pose. As I relax and am about ready to enjoy my spiritual journey, a loud bang emits from above, followed by another and another. Strike three; the weight room is directly above my head. Well, 24 hour fitness must also be hurting from the recession, because they sure as hell couldn't afford a better designer to redo their health club. After 1 out, I'm ready to get up and leave, but I decide to stay in the game. I try to stay positive and just want to get through this class, so my workout for the day is not a complete waste. As we continue with class, I begin to hear "The Wedding March". At first I think I'm delirious, then I realize it is on the instructor's playlist; I just think to myself, "Oh, she just has bad taste in music" so again, I move on.
As the hour slowly creeps by, I do my damnedest to remain centered and unaffected. I began to notice our instructor reading off a cheat sheet. Wow, what a class. At this point, I thought there might be a celebrity in our mist, because I swear, I thought Ashton was going to pop out and somebody was getting Punk'd; this unfortunately was not the case. This was the final 2 outs and I will never return. If you are a member of 24 Hour Fitness, take yoga classes elsewhere, because you'll leave with more stress then you walked in with. This is just the Fitness guy's opinion, until next time...
