27th
Does ?uestlove Take His Fro Pick Out For Inversions?
I was finally able to go to this lady’s yoga studio tonight and I am so so happy!
Good signs:
1. Unlike some of the classes at other places I’ve been - including “beginner” classes - Margo really broke down the mechanics of the basic asanas in an easy-to-grasp way. This was the first time I felt like I was actually able to get in a consistent rhythm with my breathing rather than just scrambling to position myself. When you’re doing it right, you know.
2. While respecting the tradition (among other things, she reverently, and beautifully, performed a three-minute chant at the end of the session!) Margo actually spoke to us like a normal person (also rare), with humor, pop culture references, and a bit of free association. Perhaps you see why I relate.
3. The music, which included Nick Drake, Black-Eyed Peas (who are starting to break me down), DJ Shadow and the one John Mayer song I actually-really-like (the first one, about going back to high school). I hear that “Tiny Dancer” sometimes makes an appearance. Much better than a 7-minute flute instrumental.
4. Men were actually there. Athletic, straight men, too.
5. Girlfriend was VERY pregnant and she was still able to show us a LOT of the poses. It’s like when you’re scoping out a new salon - you want a haircut from someone who has a good look themselves.
6. This may be slightly oppositional with #5, but, um, “Yin and Vino”. Enough said.
7. This isn’t a “good sign” but a funny story. I was already planning to go to this place when my good friend and coworker K noted that Margo used to teach at her local studio of choice. K said that she was really cool (for many of the above reasons), and recalled that she used to recount stories from one of her prior jobs…when she was PERSONAL YOGI FOR THE ROOTS! She, like, lived in their house. CERTIFIED MINDBLOWER.
