yoga, fitness, money, life

[supercheesegirl]

So, this morning's dilemma. I slept in this morning, and I was thinking about yoga when I woke up, and I realized that I can't continue as I have been. I really need to do yoga twice a week. That's the minimum for me. I'd rather do it more, and I'd also rather supplement with other kinds of activity like walking or something. Right now, I am doing very little in the way of physical activity. I can't afford to take two classes at a yoga studio every week. At at least $15 per class, no matter what studio I go to, I can't afford that. So I was hoping I could do one class a week and practice on my own the rest of the time. But I am not doing that. Not at all. And I can see the effects in my body. It's not good. I don't even take walks on my lunch break anymore, I just sit there and read.

So, I'm thinking that I need to give up on the studio classes for a while. I had wanted to do the studio thing because I want to get serious about the yoga, seriously connect with a teacher and a yoga community, etc. But it's just not feasible for me financially right now, and I have to accept that.

So I started thinking about other options. Last fall, I joined a gym near my parents' house, and that was great--I could do the elliptical machine, do my yoga, and there was enough space there that even if there wasn't a class going on I could find a spot to do my yoga on my own and not bother anybody. And I did enjoy the classes there and found them interesting. I don't want to join that gym again because it's 40 minutes away, so I started looking closer to here.

Found this place. Looks really nice, even has a pool and aqua aerobics. I called about their rates, and it's $99 for a one-month membership, $67 a month for an annual membership ($719 if you pay all at once) and I think she said a $99 membership fee. If you cancel early for any reason other than moving out of town, there's a cancellation fee, she didn't tell me how much that would be. There's a three-month and a six-month membership too but those were big lump sums that I don't have right now. I just don't know that I want to commit to a full year anywhere. I'm not planning right now to move out of this area, but things could change. And I guess in the back of my mind I'm hoping that my yearly salary increase next winter will be enough that I can switch to a studio? You know what, I should just sign up. I mean, I should go over there first and check it out and make sure it's do-able and nice and stuff, and then I should sign up. $67 a month is more affordable than studio yoga, the place is closer to my house than the studio is, and I'll have unlimited access to all the stuff they offer.

Thoughts? Opinions?

Oh, and my work will pay $100 towards a fitness club membership. They won't contribute diddly to classes at a yoga studio.

Comments

[myras-girls.livejournal.com]

I do best when I have a class to attend. I've never taken a yoga class, actually, but a yoga studio just opened up near our house so I might check it out. But like you said, it's not cheap! I haven't really considered a gym membership and I've never had one in the past but it's something to consider. There's a gym not too far that I think has yoga.

But anyway, if you know practicing yoga on a regular basis will improve your physical, spiritual and emotional health then I think it's money well spent. Especially if your employer is contributing to the cost of a gym membership.

[supercheesegirl.livejournal.com]

Exactly. I wish I could count on myself to get it done at home, but I just can't. But if I can drag my ass to another location, then I must get it done. Going to the gym regularly was good for me last fall, and I know I saw a lot of improvement in myself. I know that eventually, if I want to take a teacher training and move my yoga to the next level, I'm going to have to be at a studio, but I'm not ready for that now and it's not financially possible anyway. I am needing to find ways to compromise.

[lizabethanqueen]

Will your health insurance cover anything? Sometimes they give a discount...

I think the gym thing is a good idea, but I've never had the discipline for it. If you do then make the investment :)

[supercheesegirl.livejournal.com]

I can't log in to the stupid health insurance website. They have these rules about length etc of your password and I can never remember mine because I only log in like twice a year and then it locks me out. Argh.

Anyway, yeah, I do have the discipline to go to the gym, or to a yoga class. I just don't have the discipline to do yoga at home. There's too much to distract me. For example, I've been futzing around on the internet instead of doing yoga for over an hour now!

[apostrophe-esss.livejournal.com]

My theory is that if you're paying money to go to a gym, then you'll go just to make it worth your money. You're not paying anything but time to do it at home so it's easy to blow it off. I don't know, I'm in a horrible place right now with exercise. I totally quit everything and now I'm just sitting here eating Ramen noodles and getting fat. Whatever you do I am proud of you for DOING something. Telepathically send me some of your wisdom and dedication and commitment, please. And DON'T LOOK AT MY THIGHS!

[supercheesegirl.livejournal.com]

God, I ate so much yesterday. My boss got coffee cake and chocolate cake for our group meeting, and I was the only one who had a slice of each. Then I got two slices of pizza for dinner, when only one would have been fine, and then I ate popcorn and a pretzel at the concert last night. I eat so much more crap when I'm not active. When I'm active, I'm all, ooh a banana! Pass the salad! But otherwise I'm a complete cow. Blech.

[birdmaddgirl.livejournal.com]

i'm the same way about home practice -- i find other things to do instead, even if it's bs. i'm trying to get myself to do downloaded yoga classes at home in the hopes that a level of imposed structure will motivate me.

good luck with the gym stuff!!! i know it can be hard to find something that works. brendan & vess just signed up for a gym together and they bargained the guy who signed them up down on some things - a smaller membership fee & free towel service, i think. i advise you to try talking down some of the fees, it can't hurt!

[handmadedark.livejournal.com]

I think the gym is a great option to explore. Because of your post, I think I'm going to try and hit the Y today. Paying a monthly membership definitely compels me exercise more. Are there any gyms close to your work that might be an option too? That way you could go right after work or even during lunch occasionally if they had a class or two you liked. Just an idea.

Getting healthier is always a good goal. Of course, you're absolutely beautiful right now though. I think sometimes you forget how beautiful you are.

[supercheesegirl.livejournal.com]

My company actually offers a discount on a gym that's near the office (in lieu of the $100 contribution). But then I could only go at lunch or right after work, and I'd have to carry my gym clothes to work with me, and I'd have to ride the train home afterwards. There are other girls in my office who do it, and it would probably be fun to go to aerobics classes with Janice and Dee, but I don't really want to have to go back to work after I work out. And if I joined the downtown gym, I couldn't go on the weekends without planning ahead the train schedule--it'd be a whole-day affair and I'd never do it. I'd rather have a gym near home.

Well, beautiful is one thing, but I certainly don't need to be barrel-shaped. Seriously. When I'm not exercising, I see it happening.

[tisana.livejournal.com]

So is a DVD not class-like enough to make you commit to it? Because Shiva Rea gets a lot of high marks from friends into yoga.

[supercheesegirl.livejournal.com]

Not really. I know enough to do the practice on my own--I don't need someone telling me how/what to do, I need the motivation to go do it. A DVD is still something I would have to turn on myself, at home. Thanks for the recommendation, though!

[jennallen.livejournal.com]

Seconding the "talk 'em down" method of acquiring gym membership. If you are gonna be stuck there in contract for a year, it should be one you are excited to go to and one that you have access to when you want it. And ask specifically about the cancellation fee again (I paid through the nose when I cancelled mine in SF AND found out my friend had talked himself into a membership fee 1/2 of mine.)Then again, I am impulsive sometimes and don't put in the research you do :)

It's really neat to see your process of figuring out what is good for you when there are competing and opposed needs (health/financial) while acknowledging your own realities vs. your ideals. Hmm....need to do more o' that myself....thanks for being inspiring!

[painkiller.livejournal.com]

hey - I got the receipt in the mail today. Thanks!

[supercheesegirl.livejournal.com]

Awesome. And that is possibly the best icon I have ever seen.