Page 44 of In It to Win It

“And switch it out.” We do this a few more times. “Find one more breath . . . and steadiness . . . Inhale . . .”

Eventually we move into standing positions, which is more challenging in terms of balance. I watch Taylor again as we bend over, chin to chest, hands to the paddleboard. I’m tight and I know I look nothing like Taylor, who’s literally folded in half, her head nearly touching her shins. Wow. Talk about flexible.

I glance over at Arya, who’s the same.

The next move fucking kills my hamstrings again. I’ve always been tight there, so this is brutal.

Arya apparently notices Harrison and me struggling. “If it gets too intense, bend the knee,” she says gently.

I wrinkle my nose, unwilling to give in.

We do a few more poses, and when we get to a high plank pose that we then lower into a push-up position, I’m good. I can do this.

“Exhale and bring your hands to heart center.”

Harrison and I exchange another look as we press our palms together in front of our chests.

But then we’re doing a one-legged pose with one foot on the opposite thigh. I’m wobbling, the board is wobbling, but I listen to Arya talk about pressing down into my left big toe, which oddly helps. It’s satisfying to find that balance and center myself.

Splash!

The surprise almost makes me fall over, and I bark out a laugh at seeing Harrison in the water. “Way to go, man.”

His smile is rueful as he shakes water out of his hair.

“It’s fine,” Arya says with a smile. “Climb back on and pick up again.”

Dripping, Harrison gets back on the board and attempts the pose again.

I’m following along as we do another downward dog pose, but when we have our heads down between our hands and Arya tells us to walk our feet closer, my jaw drops. What the fuck?

I watch as everyone else does a handstand, their feet actually leaving the board. Should I even try?

If Taylor can do it, so can I. I tentatively lift one foot, and sway. My foot drops back down. I keep trying, but it isnotgoing to work. I watch in awe as Taylor balances, not just on her forearms, but on a board floating on the goddamn ocean. This is my new life goal.

“If you’re comfortable, lift your legs into a headstand position,” Arya calls.

A few women do it, although Taylor stays as she is. Arya’s legs slowly rise, and her body is straight, upside down, not even shaking. I glance at Harrison, who’s staring at her, slack-jawed.

“This is too much,” he says.

Arya’s mouth twitches, but she doesn’t move.

At last we’re finished, ending the session stretched out on our boards, facing the sky. “Look up to the clouds,” Arya says. “Feel your breath leaving your body.”

“Feel the weight of the world on your chest, crushing you,” Harrison says. “Life means nothing.”

Arya lets out a little snort, obviously having heard him. “If you experience humor in yoga, that’s also good.”

Thisisnice and relaxing. I turn my head to look over at Taylor.

Our gazes collide like freeway pileup.

She’s looking at me too. Instead of looking away, I hold her gaze. Heat builds around me, despite the cool ocean water surrounding us. Our gazes link for the stretched-out, quiet moment of peace and relaxation . . . and arousal. Dammit.

Arya ends the pose with a soft tone, and we begin paddling back to shore. I do feel . . . well, it’s hard to describe. I feel both peaceful and energized.

As we get closer to the beach, my board is bumped hard, startling me out of my calm mood. I try to get my balance, but it’s a lost cause and I crash into the water. Spluttering, I turn to glare at Harrison, who’s sitting on his board with his paddle in his hands, laughing his ass off.

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