The weekend rolls around and I’m exhausted. MJ and I get take-out and I order a salad, hoping to cool down my “hot” side. Thanks a lot, Baron. I even skip cheesecake since I’m trying to curb my sweet tooth…arrrgh. I drink one glass of wine and wish I had another. MJ and I take turns falling asleep on the couch, until we convince ourselves to give up and go to bed.

Saturday morning I wake up early and go to the 8 a.m. class. Christine is teaching today (filling in) and she seems nice enough, but I know better. Get this: at the end of the class, when my mat is soaking wet and I’m looking for my chilled towel, she makes us do 108 of our “favorite” ab exercise. What the frick? Evil.

Later, as we lie on our mats breathing deeply and trying to figure out what the hell just happened, Christine starts singing “Imagine” in the loveliest unaffected voice. It’s so good that I’m thinking the American Idol judges would love it. (Of course, Paula would love anything, that’s what OxyContin’ll do to you). What a vulnerable thing to do, sing in a class of people you don’t know.
Vulnerability is what week one has been for me. Here’s what I’ve taken from the lessons placed in front of me:

• ask for help
• accept help
• be willing to show yourself
• be open to the people you meet everyday
and you never know what’ll happen.

As I was driving, I heard a song that I’ve always loved. It was like an exclamation point to the end of the first week. “Dare You to Move” by Switchback: I dare you to move, dare you to move, dare you to lift yourself up off the floor… 

~ Sheri Joseph