Page 2 of The Yoga Teacher

Hannah stretched her arms over her head, still tangled in the sheets, as Daniel rolled onto his back beside her.

She nudged him with her foot. “Come to yoga with me today.”

Daniel groaned dramatically, throwing an arm over his face. “Hannah.”

She grinned. “Daniel.”

“I just turned thirty. Why would I spend mybirthdaydoing yoga?”

“Because you love me,” she sing-songed, shifting onto her elbow to look at him. “And because it’ll keep you young.”

He exhaled, huffing a breath like she’d said something ridiculous. His arm stayed over his face, shielding his expression.

She smiled at his dramatic pose. God, she loved him. “I’m just saying, if you don’t take care of yourself now, you’ll regret it later.”

Daniel finally lifted his arm, peering at her with narrowed eyes. “You’re joking, but Iwillregret it later, won’t I?”

Hannah smirked. “Probably.”

He groaned again, scrubbing a hand over his face. “This is a trap.”

“It’snota trap.” She rolled onto her stomach, resting her chin on his chest. “Come with me. It'll be fun. We can stretch, breathe,connect—”

“Connect?” he deadpanned.

“Mmhm. Yoga is aboutpresence.Aboutmindfulness.”

Daniel groaned. “You’re lucky you’re cute.”

Hannah grinned. “So that’s a yes?”

A long suffering sigh. “Fine. But if I pull something, it’s your fault.”

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The yoga studio smelled like eucalyptus, the air thick with the earthy scent of incense. Soft, meditative music played in the background. Hannah inhaled deeply, smiling as she rolled out her mat.

This washerplace. And today, she was sharing it with Daniel.

She turned to look at him, already biting back a grin. He stood stiffly on his borrowed mat, surveying the other participants with suspicion, like he expected them to break out into a synchronized cult chant at any moment.

“You look tense,” she whispered, nudging him with her elbow.

“Iamtense,” he muttered.

Before she could respond, a new voice entered the space.

“Welcome, beautiful souls.”

Hannah turned, smiling instinctively at their instructor, Sienna.

Sienna was striking—long, lean, with hair that tumbled in effortless waves down her back. She moved like she was gliding rather than walking.

“I’m so honored to share this space with you today,” Sienna continued. “Let’s begin by setting an intention for our practice. Something your body, your soul, is calling for.”

Hannah pressed her palms together, closing her eyes.

Gratitude, she thought. Gratitude for Daniel being here, for their life together, for this moment.

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