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Cary is unobtrusive and gentle, but has that “everything’s under control in my room” kind of feeling that you get from very experienced teachers. As far as I can tell, she’s not a fusser — at least she hasn’t been fussing with me, which is greatly appreciated.

I arrived at the shala just after 6 AM.  Almost a dozen people were already practicing, and I tucked myself into a corner and settled in. Practicing when travelling is such an experience for me. I get hyped because of the upheaval of being in a new place, but as soon as the mat is rolled out, I know that if I just focus, breath by breath, I can bring myself back to the center. I guess it feels like travel exerts a centrifugal force on my psyche. Which then turns practice into an opportunity for a deeply restorative practice featuring centripetal energy. In “real life” at home, these energies aren’t as apparent.

The space at Yoga Place is lovely — high ceilings, the kind of cavernous feel of an urban loft space. Windows around two sides with shades that soften the already soft morning light. A good amount of heat, and water (yes, water!) in the air. God, practice feels SO much better and bendier when there’s humidity. I love the desert, but boy, humid practices really rock. Of course, my hair looks like it looks in New Orleans (big! frizzy!). Whatever. It’s worth it.

So I wrap up primary and urdhva dhanurasana. Stand up. Cary’s there, smiling at me. “Going to do dropbacks?” she asks. I laugh and poke the floor with my toe. “This floor seems so much harder than at home.”

“The floor is always softer at home,” she agreed, smiling.

Kindly, she offered to assist me on the first, then I’d do two on my own. Haha!  After the assist, I realized she was going to stand there and watch me. I wanted to feign a British accent and say, “Run along, now!” But I decided to face my fears and let an authorized teacher witness my ugly dropbacks.

Which were fine. Duh. Of course. Really what I have to refine is my *mental* relationship to dropbacks. It’ll come…

During the post-backbend squish, she had me put my heels together and touch my inner ankle bones to each other. This was worth the trip to England. You know when you get a little tweak from a teacher that helps you understand a deep structural issue about your practice? Yeah, this is one of them.

I’m having a little sacrum shifting going on. Important to remain calm, which I’m managing pretty well. I’d give anything for an Epsom salt bath, though.