Bikram Yoga: Sweat, Zen and Focus

Tropical retreat: the words likely conjure images of palm trees and coconut cocktails.

Perhaps what you don’t imagine is a room heated to 110 degrees in which you’re bending yourself into poses that defy gravity. Well, ok, that’s probably the instructor or the sweating guy next to you, taking time out from his Cirque de Soleil performance.

Yes, moms, this is the great escape I propose to you this week: 90 minutes of focused breathing and synergy that lead to toned muscles and, experts say, stress reduction and lower blood pressure.

is an hour and a half escape from that list of must-dos perpetually running through your head: Katie’s new cleats, Jaylen’s snack pack for softball, hubby’s dry cleaning and that Power Point you need to polish.

Sure, during the floor series (there are 26 poses, 12 standing, 14 on the floor) there may be strangers’ toes closer to your face than you might think tolerable, but, like the instructors say, don’t worry about what anyone else is doing: focus on you.

And that’s a true zen escape.

Bikram Yoga

711 Foothill Blvd.

Here's a class schedule.