the first time i noticed a difference

in my body, or the benefit of (physical) yoga, was after I bent down to get something that fell under the kitchen table. I bounced down and up effortlessly, actually bounced in one smooth swoop. And I was wearing heels and a skirt — just before heading to work. It was so amazing I stopped to think of it.

“Mom, you don’t yell as much or as loud. Whatever you do, don’t stop doing yoga.”

He came in to get something and went off (had moved out but still had a roomful of stuff), leaving me on the living room floor holding some pose, wondering whether to laugh or throw a shoe.

yoga was a present to myself

my first Christmas alone. I started in front of Alex Trebek. Also, at about the same time, I started belly dancing — the Discovery network had a great broadcast called Shimmy. While exercising, I started watching a novela (soap opera). I created a strict schedule|world to keep my sanity. I would eat dinner after exercise. Otherwise, if I ate right after getting home from work, I’d be done for the evening. Routine has never had a place in my life, but it did for a while. And it was a good thing.