Day 18: Taking a 10th Grader's Advice

Yesterday I told my one class of 10th graders, which I have toward the end of the day, about my yoga challenge. I've known many of these students since last year, so I didn't mind sharing this piece of personal information. I told them because I might need their words of encouragement at the end of a busy school day, when I'm beat and am tempted to go straight home and to my couch, rather than to the yoga studio.

So today, midway through reviewing the class syllabus, "Kevin" interrupts and says, "Ms. Jennings, don't forget to go to yoga!" That made me smile. Over summer, I got very used to not having teenagers in my life; but in the last two days I remembered how interesting, funny, and amazing they are. Yes, they are also frustrating, exhausting, and sometimes rude and annoying. That's part of what makes them so amazing. They are so young.

I made sure to take "Kevin's" advice, so day 18 has successfully come to a close. I felt a slight shift in my body tonight--at least I hope it's a shift. After more than two weeks of near-constant soreness and stiffness, it looks as if areas of my body are starting to open (at least a small bit). I'm not yet able to get my shoulders behind my knees in a standing forward bend, but at least it's no longer sounding impossible!