Yoga Class and More at Harbor Athletic Club

Among the many exercises that I have tried, yoga suited me the most – particularly vinyasa yoga. However, it was only lately that I joined formal yoga classes. Before, I only watched yoga video lessons on Youtube. Then, a few months ago, I got to talk with a colleague who is enrolled at a yoga class in Harbor Athletic Club. She talked me into enrolling in her class which is Hot Vinyasa. I told her I’d think about it, because I wasn’t sure if I could fit a health club membership into my budget.

I continued doing yoga at home with the Youtube videos. Then one day, I thought, ‘hmm… I wonder how it feels like to enrol in a yoga class. I noticed that I was kind of getting bored doing yoga alone at home. For some reason, I felt like the excitement that I felt before was somehow missing or deflating. The next day, I went to ask my colleague about yoga classes at Harbor Athletic Club. She invited me to visit the club with her the next. Though I was a bit hesitant, I agreed.

My colleague brought me to the club as agreed. I was impressed at how big the facility is. She introduced me to one of the staff who welcomed us warmly. For a brief moment, I felt some tension release out of me after that meeting. I always had the impression that health club staff tend to be a bit snob, but the staff there were not. They were all very warm and welcoming. My colleague and the club staff brought me to the yoga studio. It was very nice and clean. I also learned that they provide yoga mats to members enrolled in the class. This would be in handy if one does not have or does not want to bring a yoga mat. But I thought I still want to bring my own mat as I am more “used to” it.

When the yoga classes were about to start, I left my colleague and the club staff gave me a tour of the club. She brought me to the gym where they have modern and state-of-the-art gym equipment . She also introduced me to one of the professional trainers who made me try the step machine. Of course I had a hard time making it work as my legs were not prepared for it.

After the gym, she showed me the pool area. The club has three indoor pools – a sport pool, a warm pool, a lap pool – and one outdoor pool. She told me that two of the indoor pools have been converted to a salt-water filtration system. The pools are not treated with chlorine. This is especially good for those with sensitive skin and eyes. The warm pool is kept at 90-degree which has soothing effect for sore joints and muscles. There were also three whirlpools in the area. She also told me that steam rooms and saunas were located in both men’s and women’s lap pool locker rooms. She then showed me the other facilities and told me about the other services that they offered. Aside from the yoga classes, they also offer Tai-Chi and Pilates. Then they have group exercise programs, studio cycling, personal training, racquet ball and more. They even offer youth programs!

After the tour, I was really impressed with the facilities and programs that they offer. I was finally convinced to join the club. I wasn’t convinced because the staff was being “salesy” to me. No! What convinced me was the fact that aside from doing yoga, I can actually enjoy their other amenities and services if I availed the membership. I have always loved swimming anyway. And after seeing their pool area, I was bought into the idea.

As for the yoga classes? It was amazing. My body was sore after my first my attendance. Perhaps my body was pushed to limits that I haven’t reached before by only watching Youtube videos. It was definitely great that they have well-trained yoga instructors at Harbor Athletic Club. My aim now is to be able to join the Hot Vinyasa Yoga classes that my colleague is attending, but that requires more experience and training. I know I will be able to go up that level soon with the kind of training I receive from my vinyasa yoga class.

Sometimes I go to the club for a few laps at the pool. A few days ago, I joined one of the group classes, the Bodyjam – a 55-minute dance-inspired cardio workout. I am not a dancer, but it was so much fun. The people in the class were of different ages. I have actually made some new friends in the class aside from the ones I have made in they yoga classes I attend. After going to the club for weeks now, I can say it was all worth it. I am glad to have joined as a member of Harbor Athletic Club. And I am glad my colleague brought me there to join a yoga class and end up getting more than I had wanted.