Downward Facing Dog?

Yoga has always been a sporadic thing for me.  Here & there whenever I felt like I needed some relaxation and a break from the regular work out.  I never felt like yoga was a "real" work out, and I could never appreciate the practice of it.
Lately, power vinyasa yoga has been a challenging training work out.  I don't know how I got back to it, but usually my return to yoga is because I have gotten so bored with everything else I am desperately searching for new work out.  However, now yoga has proven to really be a "practice" which is what it is supposed to be.  I have found the relaxation, strength, balance & breath that it takes to complete the challenging flows & poses.
While, this work out never felt "real" to me, upon my re-discovery of yoga I have found an intense challenge.  It could have something to do with trying power yoga vs regular, or the fact that my left leg is still weak after my second knee surgery approximately a year ago.  Whatever the case, this power yoga class has been my new favorite exercise endeavor, relaxing & empowering.  I have never felt stronger after leaving a class.  Between the balance poses & the chaturanga dandasana (a yoga tricep push-up) I am feeling strong in my arms, legs, butt & core.  I am loving it!
Now to throw a curve ball in my yoga practice my friend, Lisa, asked me to come with her and try hot yoga..... Let's be clear I have been morally opposed to hot yoga.  My feeling had always been, "great you sweat out the water weight but what else?"  To humor myself, or probably pass out from heat stroke I went.  This particular studio practices Baptiste Yoga, which is a specific type of yoga focusing on restoring balance in your life.  The first class was not only sweaty, but intense!!!  Each flow & pose engaged a new area of muscles causing my body to recalibrate and work hard to maintain positioning.  After the first class I was sore for about 3 days and couldn't believe it.  After a little research I found that one of the main principles of hot yoga is that the heat pushes your muscles to stretch further, allowing a deeper attainment of all the poses.  While I believe parts of this, all I know is something happened and allowed me to push myself, get out of my own head, relax, & be sore for several days!!!

I have always recommended yoga to others specifically for the relaxation techniques and spinal elongation principles.  The stretching & breathing alone give a great benefit.  However, now that I have really applied myself into the practice of yoga I understand the benefits far beyond breathing and now understand the balance, stability training, & perseverance of the practice.  I am able to find new ways to challenge myself with each pose, each bind & each level of the positioning.  If you are someone who has never tried yoga, find a basic yoga class in your area & give it a shot.  If you are a person like me try a new type of yoga, or different studio & it can make all the difference.  Now to my yogis out there continue with hot yoga, power, or flow whatever suits you but don't forget to change it up & continue to challenge your inner self & physical self.  Remember yoga is always about your own practice, so perform yoga within your own limitations.  If it doesn't feel right, or is straining something (specifically a joint or your back) back off on the intensity, don't allow anyone to push you into dysfunction.
Yoga is not only a great practice for the mind & spirit, but it is a physical challenge creating strength & stability for all those who practice!  Namaste!