Awesome, Gorgeouses. Awesome in the FULL, self-preserving, be-YOND, infinitous, universerous sense of the word. AWWWWESOME.

I arrived half a MINUTE before the class was supposed to start (which was, of course, good for me because I’m ALWAYS late for everything). There were windows. I looked through them: a SEA of mats, Gorgeouses; a SEA of them awaited me. There were green mats, pink mats, black mats, blue mats, thin mats, thick mats, old mats, new mats. And, there were faces. Many faces! Young ones, old ones, thin ones, plush ones….

Happy. I decided to go HAPPY on them. I was nervous. And, the best way to handle it was to go in happy. After all, the CD mix that I made specifically for this evening class was JOYOUS HAPPY.

Here’s one of the songs, just for you. If you have the time, just sit cross-legged with your hands on your knees, eyes closed, and listen; when thoughts come up, notice them, and let them go — and there you have a meditation!


(That’s “Ong Namo,” by Snatam Kaur, from her album Grace.)

I also mixed in some funky drum beats for the sun salutation sequence and the VERY CHALLENGING standing poses I had planned….


(That’s “Facing East,” by Thievery Corporation, from the album Oriental Lounge.)

I took a deep breath, rolled my shoulders back, placed my hand on the doorknob and entered the room. “Hi everyone, I’m Haley! What a big class! Great!”

It was beautiful. I tried to connect a little with each individual as I taught — to make eye contact and smile. Happy. I converted my nervous energy to HAPPY HAPPY (JOY JOY), and it worked. I don’t think a single one of them realized how VERY introverted and shy I am on the inside. I fooled myself pretty well, too…. As the class went on, though, there was no fooling: I forgot where I was and let it all flow happily, naturally, confidently.

I left the gym, and a BEAUTIFUL sunset sky greeted me. The air was so fresh and crisp. Harmonious. Everything was as it should be. Me, teaching yoga. To GIANT class. Spreading the HAPPY while toning, stretching, releasing, energizing, AWAKENING bodies and minds…. What an honour. Love….