What’s something that you wish you knew how to do?
Headstand! I have been practicing yoga for quite a while now. However, it is restricted to online classes for the past couple of years because of the pandemic. Before that, I have gone to an offline class where I got a glimpse of how it feels to be upside down. I could always do it with the help of an instructor. The problem is that I don’t feel comfortable or brave enough to try this at home on my own. My sensible self is telling me that this is the right decision. I mean who wants to break the neck for a silly wish. But the whole experience of seeing the world upside down has changed me for good during a difficult phase in life.
I was a wreck when the second half of 2019 started. I didn’t know what I was doing, where I was going and I used to snap at every person I met. A good friend told me that a yoga class is available near our office during that time. I came up with a million excuses in seconds — I am planning to shift to a new flat, new job, difficult to get out of home in the early morning, the manager would be pissed off if I leave the office early in the evening, etc etc. I had listed out every excuse that came to me at that time. But the trouble with a no-nonsense friend is that they would not accept any of your excuses. She got us enrolled in the course without any further discussion and asked me to figure out how to fit the class into my schedule. Bless her soul!
One good thing about me is that I hate wasting money. So not attending the class was not a choice for me. I buckled up and turned out for the class every day. I rarely laughed during those days and was always serious. I remember the instructor teasing me in the class and giving him cold stares in return. He was extremely cautious with me after that incident. Yoga was not much of an issue for me even though I haven’t been doing it consistently. After a week, I could feel that my body is relaxing with each session. I changed from someone who was giving excuses not to attend yoga classes to someone who asserted no work beyond 6 PM. It was a big change. Even though I have attended yoga classes before, this was the first time somebody helped me to do a headstand. I was thinking that my world was upside down during that time. But when I was actually upside down, it gave me a sense that my life is normal. I cannot explain it well. It brought a different perspective altogether and I started taking life lightly. However, I had to move away from the city before I could do a headstand without any external support. Then the pandemic came.
I am down with covid for a week now. I miss my yoga routine. I wish I could take up an offline class when I am back on my feet. I am sure that one day I would do a headstand without anybody’s support and I am not going to give up on that.
