Thanks to MarriedinMaine2 volunteer editor for excellent advice and editorial check. Comments welcome from readers please go easy this is my first submission.
I threw myself into yoga as a means to dispel my miserable days following my break up from Belinda. Whilst there were no fights or ill feelings towards the end and we're still friends the loss of her love is huge. More so is the loss of a someone to want and accept my love.
However our paths became so different that even with all the positives of the relationship it had to end. Belinda wanted to return to Australia and I couldn't follow, plus her need to start a family was strong and mine was weak. These elements demonstrated perhaps, in our coldest conversations, that simply our love for each other was not as strong as we thought, we'd step in front of the fired gun for each other but we couldn't plan to give up certain aspects of our lives.
As a keen cyclist and climber I keep myself in good condition and actually wondered about the true benefits of passive exercise. During my first few months of yoga I began to realise that throwing yourself at it wasn't the way forward, I learnt many things about myself and also gained from the physical and spiritual strengthening from my twice weekly sessions.
But mainly I gained from the meditative contemplation and understanding it brought to me and about me. Slowly I was forming a life without the need for the crutch of a relationship.
Another aspect of this class was that most of the attendees came and went with little or no interaction between each other, I like this - almost a session with strangers and I too was an island within the group. The instructor maintained this theme, each class was on a pay-as-you-attend basis and of the twenty regulars 5 or 6 were not so disciplined or committed; I thought this added to the intensity of the session, rather than the class becoming a social meet it was a serious workout. My preference was the 2 hour long class which themed towards stress reduction and meditation with a long period to close of total stillness and peace. Yet it was this most recent session that awakened me beyond imagination.
I have always preferred to hide at the back of the hall, on a very busy evening I'm in a small apse at the back. Its just large enough for 2 people to use and manage to avoid contact. This was the only space left last week and I happily settled here enjoying the added privacy. But not for long, just as the instructor dimmed the lights an unfamiliar lady floated in and smoothly settled beside me without fuss, noise or acknowledgment. I could sense that she was a few years younger, of athletic build with a beautiful full head of auburn hair in a pony tail. I was previously eagerly looking forward to the session, I felt now that her presence would only add to the enjoyment, little did I know.
As we started through the gentle first phase and onto the Sun Salutation people would warm up and layers would be removed. Often with a full class the temperature would prompt many to be in single layers and I have, in past classes, enjoyed the curves on display, hopefully without gaining a reputation of a being a pervert.
I had already noticed that my neighbour's top during the 'down dog' had slid revealing a wonderfully toned tummy, alas it's very hard to look whilst stretching hither and thither.
We paused briefly after the warm up and both of us took a top off. To my delight she quickly removed her sweater over her head and I was surprised as she revealed, slightly side-on, a naked back to her shoulders. Briefly I saw the glorious outline of her breast and its perfect size and shape. In that glorious moment, before she pulled down her crop top, I wished I was Michelangelo.
I desperately attempted to be busy with my own apparel, not wishing to be caught staring and yet still trying to glance across. And now to add to my warming loins she bent over and peeled off her leggings to reveal skin tight white shorts made of the thinnest material. Whilst their size completely covered her buttocks to mid thigh they left little to imagination. I was next to a Goddess; she was dressed in a short crop top and tight shorts with no other garments and we still had 90minutes to go. Finally to add to my dilemma we exchanged smiles and I believed I was next to an angel, such was the simple beauty and elegance of her face, not to mention the delightful smile.
The next period was most frustrating, none of the exercises provided any greater sights due to their posture or because they left me looking in the wrong direction. A few stances were too hard for me and left me wobbling or impersonating a sack of spuds whilst she held each one with grace and composure. A picture of elegance and eroticism combined. My lust grew, animal instincts interfered with decency and good manners, my inner peace was inner turmoil.
That was all to change with the next and final period. The instructor, to my utter delight, set a few challenges and encouraged us to work in pairs. The goddess serenely turned to me smiling and enquired gently if I would be willing to assist. I attempted to graciously accept and asked if she would repay the compliment, adding my name and offering my hand which she held briefly and nodded, her lips were sealed though.
The first pose was the bridge, and my partner lay on her back and following her guidance I knelt to provide support should it be needed. To be in close proximity was testing my resolve, for her body stretched out before me with its curves and form was a sensual apparition. She asked me to ensure she didn't slip or strain her back and to be ready to assist. Perfectly she raised into an immaculate arch in harmony with the Mostar Bridge, I was gasping with the beauty and vision before me, and of course as I prayed, her crop top slowly crept over the bottom of her breasts and edged towards her aureoles and eventually, to provide proof of the existence of God, over her pert and deep red nipples.