Page 9 of For the Win

I scrunch my face up.“I do.”

“Let me hear the message.”

I replay it on speakerphone so he can hear.

“I don’t know much about hockey, but sounds legit.”He rubs his stubbled chin.“It would be at least worthwhile talking to him about it.”

“It would be a waste of his time.I should just tell him no.”

“I know you’re scared.”He grabs my hand.

I meet his eyes.

“But you keep saying you need to take bigger steps.Take some risks.Why not try this?It’s a professional sports team.”

“Oh yeah, like professional athletes don’t have any issues of domestic abuse.”

He winces.“Okay, maybe there have been a few instances.But not every player is an asshole.And this is a class.A whole bunch of people.”

“I know.”I sigh.“This just seems way out of my comfort zone.”

“I get that.But you know how you grow and heal and get stronger, right?”

“Yes,” I mutter, then recite, “I love taking risks.”

He laughs.“That doesn’t sound convincing.”

It’s one of my fearless affirmations, and he’s right.“I am capable of anything,” I say aloud, sounding surer of myself.

“Yes, you are.”He pulls me in for a hug.“Do it.”

“I’ll think about it.”

We finish making dinner and eat in front of the TV, watching a local news show.After we’ve eaten, I get out my laptop and start googling.I’m curious about how yoga would help hockey players.I mean, I think yoga helps everyone, but how would it benefit specifically these athletes?

Stress reduction.Reducing inflammation.Breathing.Sleep.Okay, yeah.I can cover all that.

Flexibility.Mobility.Balance.I nod as I read.

I find a blog by a woman who teaches yoga to the Pittsburgh Penguins.Okay, this is a real thing.I read about hockey injuries and strength training.While yoga can build strength, I don’t see it as valuable for professional athletes for that; I’m sure they’re already strong.But I can certainly see that there would be great benefits from adding it to a strength-and-conditioning plan.

Groin and hip flexors...oh yeah.There are a number of poses that will help with that, opening up the hips and strengthening groins and adductors.Warrior 2 for balance.Absolutely.Balance must be incredibly important for hockey players.And strengthening shoulders for protecting them when they get checked into the boards.

I read about structural imbalances, stability and range of motion.

I look away from my monitor and stare at the wall, imagining a class full of hockey players.It makes me nervous...but it also intrigues me.Being able to help athletes who are in top physical condition be even better...of course that appeals to me.

Wasn’t I just thinking the other day that life is good...but a little boring?I enjoy what I’m doing right now, but it’s not enough for forever.I’ve thought about expanding Makara into a full-time business, maybe hiring other instructors, offering different types of classes.And my goal in moving here to California and starting a new career was to expand my limits.To be brave and confident and in control of my life.

Can I do this?

I nibble my bottom lip.

“What are you thinking about?”Taj is kicked back on the couch, bare feet on the coffee table, still watching TV.

I wrinkle my nose.“Yoga for hockey players.”

He smiles.“Good.”

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