writing practice ~ Yoga Practice

Triangle pose ~ at RB Yoga Studio ~ Jane LaFazio

Yoga Practice by Jane LaFazio

For months, in yoga class, I watch the woman in front of me as she bends into triangle pose as though her body is pressed between two sheets of glass. She’s so strong, so grounded as she leans into that sideways pose to touch one hand to the floor and the other reaching to the sky. She comes up, back to standing, with just the same grace. Her name was Christine.

I love yoga practice. The opportunity to stretch and turn and lean. Everything from my long strong arms to the sides of my body. I love to touch the floor with my palms. Reach my open hands high above my heard. To feel my body sigh and open and move from pose to pose. I love half-moon pose against the wall. I stretch and open my long arms and legs to their full extension as the wall supports me into a perfect balance. I love that I’m flexible and supple. That I can feel my spine turn and twist with pleasure.

When I do the triangle pose and hear the instructor remind us to pull in our leg muscles close to the bone and stay strong as we bend, I picture Christine in front of me, her quiet strength and warm smile. Christine is not in my yoga class anymore. She died of a recurrence of breast cancer, leaving a husband and two young children behind. At her memorial service, her brother described her as having “abundant warmth, curiosity and humility.”

I love yoga practice. Especially when I feel Christine’s presence in class, reminding me to be strong, yet warm, curious, and humble in life and in yoga.

yoga class at RB Yoga ~photo by Erin Vandenbergh

yoga class at RB Yoga ~photo by Erin Vandenbergh

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I mentioned earlier that I've been trying to write and recently finished Judy Reeves Wild Women writing class. (You can read my interview of Judy Reeves here.) 

This is one of the writings that came from the class. My classmates, Judy and I will be doing a reading of our work at The Grove, (in San Deigo) on March 17, 4:30-6:00pm. You're invited. It's free. )