Wash Your Mat

Day 48, Hour 43 of 120 Hours of Yoga


The "Modo Flow" classes are seriously awesome and challenge me - a beginning yogi - in equal but different ways than the standard Modo yoga classes do. The pace of transition between movements is elevated, and some poses that I can't do (yet) get thrown in there, but there are always modifications and I do what I can. The studio seems a little hotter in the late afternoon and evening classes than it does in the morning, and the flow classes are scheduled later in the day. The increased room temperature and the faster pace equate to extra sweat, and I love it. It seems like the attendance is greater in the flow classes than the regular ones, and the extra bodies definitely contribute to a hotter room, too.  It's good!

So day 48, hour 43 of yoga was spent at a 430pm flow class. I got there early, as usual. I'm so anxious that I won't be able to secure a spot along a wall if I show up later than 20 minutes before class, and so I'm typically there 20-30 minutes early. I suppose I should challenge myself to show up 5 minutes before class and just see what happens, but I'm not there yet! 

Anyways, I show up 30 minutes before class. The door is still locked so I wait outside until the instructor shows up, and even when I see her walk it, I wait until I see at least one other student approach the building before I get up to walk in. I'm surprised that the other "first" arriver doesn't arrive until about 15 minutes before class.

The energy feels a little different today. I really love the teaching style of the instructor (based on previous classes with her) but when I walk in and say hello her energy feels different - less open, less cheery - than in the past. It's ok. Everyone has an off day. I'm sure once class starts things will feel different. I do not linger to chat or converse, as her head is in the computer, and I kick my flip-flops off and head into the studio.  

My favorite spot is open. Every spot is open, actually, because I'm the first one in there! Just the way I like it. Despite the myriad of choices, I place my towel in my regular favorite spot: right side of the studio, three rows back from the front, against the side wall. The fact that the right side wall is mirrored is enough for me to feel a little more exposed - as opposed to the far left wall which is mirrorless.  I don't look in the mirror too much. Maybe a glance to the front to see how deep my squat is, or to see if my arms are hovering high enough during certain poses, but I never look in the side mirror which is right next to me. I'm aware of it, and that is more than enough. 

I've never been one of those people who spend a lot of time in front of the mirror. In fact, I can go days without ever seeing my reflection. 

I'm in my favorite spot and people start coming in quickly. Class starts in 15 minutes and there is a steady flow of people setting up their mats.  A woman places her mat in the front row ahead of me (in the corner of the 2 mirrored walls), and then several people settle in behind me and to my left. I can hear lots of activity on the other side of the room as well. And then someone places their mat directly above my head where I'm laying and .. POW! An waft of musty earthen swamp mixed with feet hits my olfactory nerves like a truck. I am completely overwhelmed by the smell. It is so strong, I start to question if it's coming from me, or my clothes, or my towels, or someone else. I lay there still, motionless, overwhelmed to the point of nausea. It is hot in the room, and this particular scent in 100degrees is particularly pungent. I consider moving, but don't want to make her feel bad; plus, the room is filling up and where will I move to? 

Class starts. It's a strange cadence. A mix of an instructor who's voice clearly sounds like she is distracted and not happy to be here, a music play list that is mostly a mix of James Brown-esque music which easily drowns out her voice and my ability to follow directions, and of course, the smell of swamp and feet. 

After a chance to lay flat, face down, on my towel I'm able to confirm that the smell is indeed NOT coming from me. And unlike the class with Phil where I left early due to the overwhelming discord of music and shouted directives, I managed to stay on my mat and finish class.

Next time, I will pack my vibes ear plugs, and a bottle of tea tree oil. A dab on my mat, or even under my nose, should do the trick.


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