i began a yoga class this summer

and share a quiet space 

with an friendly group:

rambo with the headband, 

the affectionate couple,

the woman about to give birth on the mat, 

the giggler,

stretch armstrong,

the woman with lots of extra stuff,

and a smattering of others

all kinds of interesting 

 of various skill levels

our instructor 

 a sweet hippie fairy

with a lyrical whisper voice

leaves me guessing

 watching the others

trying my best to follow 

open my eyes, close my eyes, bend, stretch, balance, breathe, hold, lift, tilt, reach

go further

stay in synch with the others 

all while relaxing and clearing my mind. 

i’m getting there, and as my generous teacher said,

“at least you’re going one inch further each time.”

well, there you go

according to this math

i will be doing a headstand by the time i’m 93

i’m on my way.

—

“blessed are the flexible, for they shall not be bent out of shape.”
– author unknown

 

 

 

—

photo credit: 1935, vintage bondi beach, australia, catherine annis