A couple years ago, when Status Quoman and I still worked together, we decided that the stretch between New Years and Memorial Day is the worst of the year. Particularly the January—March segment. Here in NYC, that means the cold air moves through the long streets like a wind tunnel, the sun is long gone by the time 5 PM rolls around and you leave work, and the sidewalks are icy and treacherous. Doldrums indeed!!!

Our solution to the problem: celebrate Doldrums Day, a new holiday to break up the winter, on the “worst day of the year,” which we dubbed to be the last Monday in February. For the past few years we’ve foregone holiday presents in favor of Doldrums Day gifts and dinner out at a vegan restaurant. I look forward to it every year.

That being said, I woke up this morning and realized that this leaves a long, empty stretch between January 21st and February 23rd. Four weeks of uninterrupted doldrums. This time last year, I occupied my time by going to the gym every day after work, doing the elliptical and watching the news, and then rewarding myself with 10 minutes of stretching & sweating in the sauna. I love the sauna. But this year—new resolutions, and no gym.

Serendipity came in the way of a promotional e-mail from Bikram Yoga NYC, a yoga studio that I used to frequent when I lived on the Upper West Side.  The e-mail entitled me to 30 days of Bikram Yoga, at any of the city’s four affiliated studios, for $30. Normally Bikram costs up to $20/class, so this is a GREAT deal. And, as it turns out, there’s a studio only a 20–minute walk away from my office!

So, starting Friday, I’m committing to a month of Bikram (not every day, but as often as possible) to tide me over until warmer weather and park jogging win back my heart. It’s not free, but I’ll take what I can get.

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