‘Please stand up and take your positions,’ she said, placing her feet hip distance apart and rolling her neck from side to side. ‘Now, I want you to close your eyes, relax your shoulders, tighten your bellies, squeeze your pelvic floor and take eight deep breaths, counting five on the in breath and six on the out.’
So focused was Cleo on counting that at first, she wasn’t aware of Fran and Lesley’s presence. Then her eyes sprang open when Lesley spoke in a loud, grating voice, shattering the air of concentration.
‘I hurt my knee yesterday. I fell on a rock. It was right in the middle of the path, blocking the way,’ Lesley said crossly. ‘It’s stiff and swollen today so I won’t be able to do everything.’
She was standing right in front of Ima, obscuring everyone’s view of her, while Fran hung back.
‘The class has already started,’ Ima said quite fiercely. She might be small, but she was no pushover. ‘Find a mat and just do what you can. Listen to your body. I’ll come over to you in a minute and give you some alternatives.’
Lesley, who had her back to Cleo, hesitated for a moment, as if she wanted to object. But Ima raised her arms above her head and circled them in opposite directions a couple of times.
The message was clear – the class had resumed and her focus was elsewhere. There wasn’t much more Lesley could do, so she stomped over to a mat and sighed noisily while she settled into position. Fran, meanwhile, was so quiet, she mightn’t have been there at all.
At first the class was quite fast moving. Cleo, who’d only been to a handful of yoga lessons before, was so busy trying to keep with the instructor, she barely noticed how the others were coping. But by the time they began their third Sun Salutation, she felt more confident about what she was doing.
While she was bent over in the Downward Facing Dog position, she took the opportunity to glance to her right. Tash, next door, was red in the face and huffing and puffing; surprisingly, by the looks of it she was even less supple than Cleo.
But Maya, who was further round, seemed to have perfected the movement. With her long flat back, strong arms supporting her weight and her straight legs, with both feet planted firmly on the ground, she appeared so at ease, she could probably hold the position indefinitely. Of course she could.
Cleo wrinkled her nose. She distrusted people – especially women – who were good at everything. They made everyone else feel inferior. Surely every woman owed it to the sisterhood to have a few flaws?
The session lasted fifty minutes. By the end, Cleo’s stomach was growling and she was relieved when they were told to lie flat on their backs at last, with their arms and legs comfortably spread, for the final Shavasana.
With her eyes closed, listening to the rich, resonant tones of Ima’s singing bowl and feeling the warm sun and soft breeze on her skin, Cleo felt so calm and peaceful she forgot her hunger and was reluctant to move ever again.
At the end, after they’d sat cross-legged on their mats once more, taken some deep breaths and honoured each other with a ‘Namaste’, she remained, head bowed, for a few minutes, only dimly aware of the movement all round her.
When she finally opened her eyes again, she saw Lesley hotfooting it towards the breakfast area, with Fran following close behind. They must have rolled up their mats double quick, as most of the others were still busy with theirs. Maya, meanwhile, was up front, talking to the teacher.
‘But you should have at least told us it was a beginner’s class,’ Cleo heard Maya complain. ‘I’m sure I’m not the only one who’d like more of a challenge.’
Ears pricked, but pretending not to listen, Cleo rolled up her own mat extra slowly.
‘It wasn’t a beginner’s class,’ Ima replied, somewhat shakily, as if she were trying hard to hold herself together. ‘But it was the first time I’d taught everyone. I had to gauge their level. Obviously, I don’t want any injuries. If you noticed, I did give some options for more advanced students. Next time, I’ll be able to incorporate more.’
Maya looked a bit like a giant stick insect, Cleo thought, dressed all in black, apart from her neon yellow headband, and towering over the teacher.
‘As far as I can see, most of them are beginners,’ she snapped. ‘I did explain to Henrietta I wanted advanced classes and she assured me this would be the case.’
‘Yes, but?—’
‘It’s all very well giving multiple options,’ Maya cut in, ‘but it’s not the same as being in a class where everyone’s at the same level. I really think Henrietta should have been more upfront about what she could offer.’
Ima gave a tiny squeak, before clearing her throat.
‘If you wish to complain, you should speak to her directly. Perhaps she can find you a different teacher for one-to-one classes. There may be an extra charge, of course.’
‘I don’t want—’ Maya began, but Ima turned her back and began collecting the rolled-up rubber mats, tucking them under an arm. Perhaps she knew if she spoke to Maya a moment longer, she’d completely lose her rag.
Cleo, sympathising with the teacher’s frustration, stood up and walked towards her.
‘Would you like a hand?’ she offered, ignoring Maya’s scowl.
‘Thank you,’ Ima said. ‘I can take most of the mats, if you can just bring the basket and my sound bowl.’
She looked so grateful, Cleo thought she was about to give her a massive hug.
‘I really enjoyed that class,’ Cleo said, meaning it. ‘I can’t wait for tomorrow.’
