Yesterday was my second time taking a class at Downtown Yoga Shala. Which is pretty silly because I signed up for a “40 for 30” deal — three weeks ago! I’m going again today to make sure I get a few classes in before my month runs out!

I had an IEP meeting yesterday after school but quickly changed in my office and booked it to make sure I made it to the studio by 530. I was running late and couldn’t find parking. And then, to add a little more panic to the moment, I pulled out my mat from the backseat and saw (but probably just imagined) something crawling out of it. Your mind can play TERRIBLE tricks on you but, regardless of if the spider was still there or not, I freaked out like a mad woman.

So, moving right along. I grab my mat with two fingers and hold it AWAY from my body as I sprint over to the studio. At this point, I definitely look like a yoga noob. My mat is scrunched up and I’m holding it 3 feet away from my body – not rolled and tucked under my arm. I’m already sweaty – mostly because of intense fear that there’s just a SPIDER probably chilling in my car – just waiting for my return. And I can’t remember if I had locked my car. (Although if someone were to steal things from my car, maybe my pet spider could attack them.)

So – panicked and flustered and sweaty, I walk into the studio a few minutes late. I was a little worried to roll my mat out at this point because if the spider was still IN my mat, I’m pretty sure I would scream uncontrollably. And everyone around me had their eyes closed, breathing deeply, and in Child’s Pose. So that would probably not go over very well.

I mentally planned out an escape route that would allow me to tiptoe away from my space without tripping over anyone. And rolled out unfolded my mat. To my surprise, there was no spider.

So, I happily sat down and started preparing myself for this 1.5-hour journey. Until mid-exhale when I realized that if the spider was NOT in the mat, it must STILL be in the car.

That’s all that I could think about. 

And, as if on command, the instructor spoke up and said, “As you settle in, please come back to this mantra: I AM HERE NOW. You took the time to show up. Be present. I AM HERE NOW.”

Easier said than done. I WAS GOING TO DIE AFTER CLASS. I knew it.

But the more he repeated it and the more it sunk in, I found myself settling down and the insane thoughts of my spider took a backseat. I AM HERE NOW.

By the time the class was over, I felt completely rejuvenated. My body felt great. My mind felt even better.

I thought that I would complete my month and go back to my non-yoga ways. But I honestly, truly believe that it makes me feel wonderful.

So…we’ll see what happens.

All I know is that yoga kills spiders.