The Comfy Corner

So, I would by no means consider myself a yogi. In high school, I attended a few yoga classes at the local YMCA. That was back in my fitness class heyday when I would do cardio-lite with all the local moms. They were obsessed with me because I knew the Grease dance and I was this random teenage boy doing cardio dancing to disco music. I loved it, though. I even became great friends with the teacher, Marianne, and I regularly attended her cycling, muscle pump, and spinning classes. She kept me in great shape. Anyway, I digress, yoga.

The very first yoga class I took was at the downtown YMCA. Now, for those of you who are not familiar with downtown Asheville, NC, it is the hippiest, gayest little mountain town in the country. So yoga is kinda a big deal. I got there with my friend Becca and it was dark in the room and smooth mountain music was playing (banjos and shit). I copied the other people and got a mat, but I wasn't sure if I should get one of the block thingies or the blanket. I decided against it. A mat would have to be enough. I found a spot and sat quietly on my mat while the other hippies melted into the room with measured breaths and relaxed demeanors. The teacher guided us through the class and I did fairly well. My strong fitness background paid off. We then got to the part where you just lie there. I call it nap time, others call it shavasana. Everyone in the room started wrapping themselves in their Mexican blankets but I just chilled there blanketless. It was too late to get up and grab a blanket. I would have interrupted the flow of the bandhas or whatever.

After nap time, the teacher (who had a slight Southern accent) put her hands in prayer position and said, "Ya'll have a nice day" to which I politely replied (with my hands also in prayer position because I had taken to copying her) "You too." Well, that's when Becca laughed and laughed at me for the longest time and when she stopped laughing she informed me that the teacher had actually said "namaste." In my defense, she had an accent, it was the end of class, and it is not unreasonable at all! Namaste means "I bow to you" which is essentially what you are saying when you say "Ya'll have a nice day," right?? Ugh, well now I know.

Namaste ya'll. Stay comfy.