24 of 31: Bend with a Friend

She climbed into my car and it was nonstop chatter the entire 20 minute drive catching up on her kids and their various states of health, her husband, my family, our jobs, and how we had spent our glorious week off. Halfway there I shrugged out of my jacket at a stoplight because it turned out to be too warm to need it. It was definitely a sunglasses and t-shirt type of day.

We exited the car and strolled across the parking lot towards my yoga studio, which was running a "Bend with a Friend" promotion. As she signed in, I slipped off my shoes. Dani, one of my favorite instructors, introduced herself to my friend and asked if she practiced yoga before and if she had any injuries or problem areas. 

Dani continued peppering Susan with questions and tidbits of information about the class as she walked us into the studio. There were three yogis already on their mats stretching like cats in the bright morning sun shining through the plate glass windows. After grabbing all necessary props, Susan and I rolled out our mats next to each other in the back corner of the space.

When we walked in, I was mid-story, so I very quietly leaned over to whisper the epic conclusion and Susan just shook her head sharing in my disgust. I didn't want to disturb my fellow yogis so I kept our conversation brief.

Finally, Dani began class and we started focusing on our breathing. We set our intentions for the class and I silently acknowledged my good fortune and good friend sitting on the mat next to me. I slipped back into a meditative state focusing on my breath and occasionally pushing out the thoughts about lunch and my to-do list and whether or not Susan wanted to go shopping. I managed to always return to count my breaths in order to still my mind.

Seventy-five minutes melted away as we stretched and breathed and balanced and moved in and out of various poses. I love yoga. And there couldn't have been a better way to spend the last official morning of my spring break than to bend with a friend. 

My advice to you: bend with a friend at any and every opportunity. It is good for the heart, mind, body, and soul.