Zen and the city: Yoga pain brings spiritual gain

As I position myself in my next downward-facing dog, my shoulders start to shake and a few beads of sweat drip into my eye. I squint and see the shirtless man next to me slowly lift himself into a steady headstand.

I look in the mirror and catch a glimpse of myself. Now dripping wet, I appear as though I’ve gone swimming in a pair of yoga pants and a tank top. I look disgusting but feel amazing.

Spring quarter has marked the beginning of my adventures into the realms of Hot Yoga, which relies on sequences of poses done in a heated room.

These classes aim to restore balance to the student’s life and body.

The word yoga is derived from the Sanskrit word Yuj, which means to join or unite.

The purpose of practicing yoga is to bring the body, mind and spirit into a collaborative force so as to live in a more balanced, meaningful and useful way.

At the beginning of a student’s start in yoga, he or she reaps the benefits of a well-thought-out exercise regimen.

Working the body from the inside out, yoga exercises organs, joints and circulation to improve their function and effectiveness.

With the rooms usually heated to more than 100 degrees, instructors suggest students bring towels, which are drenched in sweat after the 90-minute yoga session.

With the rickety heaters blowing on our bodies from each corner, everyone in the room is asked to set a theme for their practice and told to focus on that throughout the class.

The instructor suggests setting concentration to thoughts cultivated by peace and serenity. I try to focus on nothing, taking the opportunity to agonize over just breathing and sweating.

It’s a challenge to keep the mind on such tight reigns. I often catch myself drifting into thoughts about meaningless suspicions or tentative events.

Setting the mind to such dutiful focus is one of the most exhausting yet rewarding experiences I’ve ever had.

Working so devotedly on a goal while overcoming the distractions of the intense heat, the breathing bodies throughout the room and my own lack of balance is a challenge.

It’s one of those things you dread and crave at the same time.

The dreaded part is the sensation of being baked alive. The portion I crave is a feeling of bodily and mental harmony and perspective that can only be achieved after 90 minutes spent in a tiny yoga studio.

As a student’s practice becomes more focused and diligent, the mental and spiritual benefits of yoga begin to emerge. Feelings of tranquility, enlightenment and general well-being begin to work their way into daily life.

My personal practice has helped with my lack of living in the moment. Too often than not, my mental energy is focused ahead — anxious about next week’s midterm — or behind — worried about the decisions I’ve already made.

Yoga, forcing me to be physically, mentally, emotionally and spiritually in the moment, has allowed me to enjoy what this very moment has to offer.

If you look close enough, the present has a lot to offer. The sweat I’ve had to endure to realize that has been more than worth it.