MONSTER ISLAND Wheel-topped pallets to bring the canoe ashore were planted around the backside of the island, requiring us to paddle through the canal. Shhhh we gently whispered to each other; the canal was shallow which meant that all the sea creatures were sleeping close to us—if we paddled too hard or spoke too loud, we would wake them up.11 We took up our paddles and rested them across our knees, and we let the canoe coast through the shady strait. Our shhhhs echoed in the rustling of leaves and the soft trickling of water lapping up upon the rocky, rooted shores. A cool breeze drifted through the strait, cleansing the water that suddenly became clear, cleansing our minds that suddenly became clear. We closed our eyes as time slowed down for us.
V I N YASA Inhale12 Exhale Inhale Downward dog High plank Low plank Upward-facing dog Downward dog Inhale Exhale Pull your right leg through your hands Stay strong, rise to high crescent lunge Warrior I Warrior II Reverse your warrior Return to Warrior II Hinge forward Triangle post Return to standing Cartwheel your hands down to the mat High plank Low Plank Up dog Downward dog Pull your left leg through your hands Stay strong, rise to high crescent lunge 11 12
I’m still unsure if that was a rule Dad made upf for us, or one that was enforced by Lake Naomi Cub, like the disallowance of spedboats on the lake. Vinyasa is a method of yoga in which movements form a flowing sequence in coordination with breath. 77
Anthology2016.indd 77
6/1/16 12:16 PM