Dalston Delight
"When yoga studio owner Simone helps stressed solicitor Andre find balance, she discovers that downward dog is just the beginning of what they can do together."
Andre couldn't touch his toes. Couldn't quiet his mind. Couldn't stop staring at his yoga instructor.
Simone was thick and serene, moving through poses that should be impossible for her body yet weren't.
"Breathe," she instructed. "Yuh holding tension like it's money."
"I'm a solicitor. Tension is my job."
"Then let mi be your release."
Private sessions. Every Tuesday. Her hands adjusting his form, her thick body demonstrating poses inches from his face.
"Yuh improving," she said week four.
"I have motivation."
"What motivation?"
"Spending more time with you."
She smiled. "That's not very zen of yuh."
"I never claimed to be zen."
Zen was impossible when she straddled him during hip openers.
"This is advanced," she explained. "Requires trust."
"I trust you."
"Trust this too?"
She kissed him. Nothing zen about it. Everything right about it.
"Yes! Andre! Right there!"
On yoga mats, surrounded by incense and peace, they found a different kind of balance.
"Don't stop! Yuh posture is perfect!"
Andre found balance. His work improved. His life improved. His relationship with Simone became the center of everything.
"Yuh my best student," she says.
"You're my best teacher."
"We practice forever?"
"Forever and then some."
Dalston delight.
Balanced.
Blissful.