How to be a REBEL Yogi at Ritual Sweat Society

Ritual Sweat Society, a yoga studio on Thayer Street, has caught my attention during my cold wintery walks to the Nelson. I've dabbled in yoga in the past and was curious about what existed behind the mysterious walls of this elusive studio (made even more enticing by the fact that it shares a space with a virtual reality den—how quirky!).If you too have heard the siren song of this studio calling you from your boring, 1980s treadmill in the Keeney gym, here are a few things you should consider:First, Ritual Sweat Society (or RSS, for people in the know) offers a free week of unlimited classes to start off. I took advantage of this lucrative deal and signed up for my first week. No, this is not a sponsored post.I didn't know much about RSS before showing up for my first class, and once it began, was immediately struck by the very unique nature of the programming. Although I noticed that the website claimed to cater to “REBEL yogis,” I did not give this much thought. The instructor blasted classic yoga songs of serenity such as “Red Nose,” by the illustrious Sage the Gemini. I may have even heard some Britney thrown in the mix. This definitely goes against the grain of typical yoga studio music, which usually involves soft instrumentals with some “oms” tossed in there now and again.Not only was the music a bit unconventional, but the class itself involved a considerable amount of screaming. The instructor was forced by the loud music to bellow her instructions throughout the entirety of the class. Us yogis too were given a chance to holler—not just one or two measly screeches, either. Several extended chunks of the class were dedicated to performing movements that were synchronized with noises I can only describe as the mix between a very loud exhale and a mean laugh: a bit of a “HA!” As the screaming began, I became afraid. Why were these spandex-clad women yelling? How could I swiftly escape without disturbing anyone else’s chakras?! However, I stuck with it, and once I got into the groove, the screaming felt very natural. My fellow yogis and I released noises that could only be described as murderous. I can only wonder what the poor patrons of the virtual reality lounge must have thought. If you’re looking for somewhere to really channel your inner warrior and unleash some howls sans judgment, this really could be your place.Believe it or not, I am normally not accustomed to screaming in public with so much fervor. I was definitely surprised by the yelling instructor and the deafening music. Yet, if the frustrations of your roommate’s gross living habits or the mundane annoyances of the daily grind have really gotten you down, RSS could be a productive way to channel and release your energy.If any of these unique characteristics have piqued your interest, give it a shot. There’s a full moon celebration coming up that may catch your fancy. However, you can't forget that it’s BYOC (bring your own crystals).