Page 18 of For the Win

Now I just have to make sure I don’t screw things up next class.

* * *

I enterthe Light Room on the second floor, called that because of the big, high windows on three sides of it, for my Wednesday class.The class is full, which is usual.I’ve been gratified that since I started here, my classes have become really popular.Everyone is lying quietly on their mats, arranged in neat rows.Ceiling fans twirl lazily above us.

I walk to the front of the room where my mat is already laid out.I set my water bottle on the floor against the wall and turn to the sound system to start one of my playlists.Finding great music for my classes is a fun pastime when I’m not teaching.I like lots of different sounds, and I think my music also sets me apart from other instructors.

The first song is by XXYYXX, “About You.”It has a cool, sort of laid-back lounge feel.

“We’ll begin today’s class in a Child’s Pose,” I say, sitting on my mat.Everyone sits up.

That’s when I see him.Harrison.

What the duck fuck?

I don’t let my attention linger on him, as I have a class full of people.“Bring your knees either wide or together, with your big toes touching.Press your hips to your heels and relax your forehead down.”I survey everyone as they shift into place.The soft music fills the space.“Let everything settle down, right into your mat.”I stand to move through the class, my bare feet silent on the smooth wood floor.“Also let yourself settle mentally.”I stop behind one woman and set my hands on her back, gently pushing her hips lower.“Float in your head and begin to tune into your breath.”

I pause at Harrison.His head is down, so I can’t meet his eyes.His hips arenoton his heels.Swallowing a sigh, I lay my hands on his lower back and do the same for him, gently pressing down, a little more...a little more...feeling his tight hips relax somewhat.My feet are spread and braced on the floor, using my own body weight to ease his lower.

His body is big.Warm.Strong.Pulsing with energy that transfers into my hands and arms.

I imagine myself draping over him, my arms going around his body, pressing my face to his back...

Focus.

“Breathe in and out of your nose, creating that sound in the back of your throat...like the ocean.”

I move on to the woman beside Harrison.

What is he doing here?

“Keep your breath smooth and steady for the entire practice,” I say.

I slowly pace back to the front of the room and get into my own Child’s Pose, using this moment to refocus my breathing, my energy.

“Next...inhale...and come to a Tabletop, on your hands and knees.”I slowly move into position.

I continue the class, ignoring Harrison other than when he needs some adjustment of his poses.

The music changes to “World on Fire” by Louis the Child.The beat is up-tempo, the singer’s voice soft and sweet, with some piano riffs.I love this song.

We get into some more challenging poses later in the class.“Back to center,” I say.

So far, Harrison has been a model student—silent and compliant.

“Hands on your knees and breathe in.”I pause.“Then relax your head and neck down.Rise to standing.Arms float high.Exhale, palms together in front of your heart.Take a moment to close your eyes, adjust your stance, your breath...”I stroll between the mats, giving them time.Alina Baraz sings “Electric.”This song is super sexy, and I have a hard time not imagining being tangled in sheets, wrapped up in a man’s arms and legs, as she croons, “Kiss me.”I glance at Harrison and our eyes meet.Khalid’s raspier voice joins in the song.

I pull in a slow breath through my nose and break the eye contact.

Kiss me.

Dammit, why did I use this playlist today, with steamy songs that make me think of sex?

“Shift your weight to your left foot and bring your right foot up for Tree Pose.”My own hands are pressed together in front of my chest, and I put my weight onto my left foot.“Bring your foot to your calf or your thigh...lift your belly button...for an extra challenge you can reach up, and even look up.”Everyone lifts their arms, including Harrison, but he wobbles and touches his foot down.He resumes right away, though.

I move over to him to turn his knee more outward.“Just don’t rest your foot on your knee joint and possibly move it out of place.Lengthen your tailbone toward the floor.Press this foot against your inner thigh...”I touch his bare foot, which feels very intimate.“Resist with your left leg.Gazing at a fixed point in front of you on the floor will help with the balance.”

He smells good.

---