Misty Water Colored Memories...

I arrived at Angelina’s Kitchen for Debra’s 50th birthday party.  She was wearing spike heels and a form fitting floral dress that showed off the years of deep squats; her hair was longer than I remembered and was down in soft curls.  She flashed me her famous “Debra Smile” and said "WAYNE!!!!!"  I said, "Happy Birthday, WOW, you look great!!!"  "You clean up nice!"  She laughed and said "I’ve missed you so much the past 3 years!"

As we were catching up, images of Debra over the years I had known her, flashed through my mind…

After teaching a yoga class at Halsa Fitness, I ran into my friend Jill.  I had met Jill while shopping for kitchen back-splash tiles at Fantastic Floors upon arriving in MN after relocating from California.  She asked if I had tried Debra’s PUSH class at Halsa yet?  I asked what’s PUSH?  She said you have to try it and you are going to LOVE Debra.  She explained it was a cardio class that was Super Hard.  I thought back and remembered taking aerobic classes in college and really loved the after affects, for a number of years in San Francisco I took Step classes and liked them as well.  I thought, I’m an instructor I have a free membership, so I might as well try a class.

I arrived with Jill for class and Debra sort of overwhelmed me.  I was planning on being in the back row, unobserved and wanted to try the class and sort of leave unnoticed afterwards --- wrong.  Debra introduced herself to me and took the time to explain the class would be challenging but just do what I could do.  I thought to myself I’m a yogi, I’m in good shape save your speech for a real ‘beginner’.  The class began and I knew I was in trouble from the start.  It was really challenging and there were women in the first and second row that were keeping up with Debra and the crazy pace of the class.  What made matters worse was that Debra was talking to every person in the class by name, giving pointers, tips and encouraging them on – while doing the class - as well as walking through the class.  So much for being unobserved and anonymous.  As the sweat was rolling down my face I looked at the clock and saw that 10 minutes had passed – it was a 60-minute class – what had I gotten myself in for?!   The time crept minute by minute; I remembered from the olden days: stop looking at the clock, do you’re best and never come back.  But the next thing I knew Debra was right at my side saying that’s great, you’re amazing, 4 more reps… I said oy!

I got through the class and Debra asked how did I like it?  I said "yoga is really my thing and it keeps me in great shape."  She agreed that I was very fit and added that cross training with different styles of exercise can really compliment any exercise regime.  I said "you are probably right and see you around."  I walked out of the class exhausted and sore but not injured, by afternoon I was very sore.  The next day I was cursing that woman; living in a 3-story townhouse I was really having a hard time moving my legs to go up or down the stairs.  I thought to myself that women is CRAZY!  Working the body that hard might not be good or necessary.

Funny how a few years can change our minds so completely.  While living in China I taught the fewest yoga classes I had ever taught in my life.  The demand that was present the first time I lived in China didn’t exist the second time.  The building I lived in Shanghai had a beautiful gym and pool; I swam, lifted weights, walked a lot and also practiced yoga and Pilates as well as did a lot of work on the Pilates Reformer.  What I noticed over the 3 years in China was how my body changed, I became a little more chiseled and when I returned to the US, I was in the best shape I had ever been in.

Once back in the US, I immediately noticed how little walking I would be doing compared to my time in China.  We Americans just drive everywhere we go.  Also I wouldn’t be having a gym ‘in my building’ so I thought I might as well try the cardio classes that Energy offered.  I knew I was in for a brutal first few weeks while I built up my endurance and strength, but decided to give it a go.  To my utter amazement it was a challenging class, definitely tough but I wasn’t that sore afterwards and came back the next day for another class; or as Debra would say, again and again and again.

Debra was right after all.  The cross training I had done in China with a variety of exercise styles, had made me much stronger overall than when I had only practiced yoga.

As Debra and I were laughing together at her party she said "it’s so nice to have you back; I never took your picture off the web site as an instructor because I always knew you would return."  I smiled at her and said "it’s great to be home; thanks for such a wonderful welcome…"

Wayne