Hana looked again at the clock on her phone. 14:27, her clock read. Her class started at 15:00. She noticed a few missed messages when she checked the time. She kept her phone on silent most of the time – a habit she picked up from an ex. Hana quickly backwards planned the five minutes it took her to walk to the studio and the fifteen minutes she wanted to prepare before class.
The quick plan allowed just a few minutes for her to get a coffee on the way to the studio. She had a thought of Nathan's cafe idea because it would be nice if her yoga studio had a cafe connected. Then, she wouldn't have to plan this additional five-minute trip for iced coffee. This thought couldn't have lasted more than two seconds in her mind before she was once again focused on her plan.
Hana gathered her things and placed what she needed in her bag before walking out the door. She threw the bag over one shoulder and felt a small hint of pride because she crocheted this bag herself. Each time she used it, however, she thought about the bag she made before this one. That bag was with her through a couple chapters of life before it finally broke. Every day, she would carry that same bag, and it lasted for several years. It even outlasted her previous relationship, but she knew it couldn't stay forever.
As she left the house, she checked to make sure the windows were latched and the door was locked. This was a regular check, but it wasn't with criminal activity in mind. Monkeys were the concern. She moved to this island knowing monkeys would be a part of life. Their presence made each day feel a little more exotic and regularly brought a smile to her face. It wasn't long before Hana learned the monkeys had a dark secret. The time she forgot to secure the house, she returned to find fruit peels on the floor, her cushions overturned, and one earring missing. Somewhere on the island, she imagined, the monkeys were running a black-market shop to fund their banana consumption.
As Hana walked into the coffee shop, she spotted Joelle behind the counter. Joelle had been serving the same iced coffee to Hana every day since Hana moved to this area of the island. It had been almost a year already, and Joelle knew the order without Hana having to say a word. Joelle also knew Hana was usually rushing to teach her yoga class when she stopped by in the afternoon. With a wink and a smile, Joelle made Hana's order exactly the way she liked it. Before anyone even noticed, Joelle handed her the finished drink. Hana took the coffee from Joelle's hand and left enough cash on the counter for the coffee and a little extra for Joelle.
Hana sipped the coffee as she left the store, stopping in the middle of the busy sidewalk to savor that first sip and take a second. She absolutely loved the way they made the iced caramel macchiato. She had special instructions about the amount of ice, the number of shots, and the type of milk. Joelle got it right every time. Her favorite coffee shop used to be in California, until she found this one. If Joelle hadn't been working that afternoon, this would have been a longer stop. Her small act of kindness saved Hana a couple minutes that afternoon.
With an extra three minutes, Hana arrived at the studio with her favorite coffee. She used those three minutes for herself, sitting in quiet contemplation and enjoying each sip. Her students would start to arrive in just a few minutes. This class's regular students liked to arrive early and enthusiastic. There were usually a couple drop-ins each class too. The studio was located in a busy section of town, and sometimes, classes could fill up from foot traffic alone. Hana's 15:00 class stayed full, and the drop-ins didn't know how lucky they were to get a spot that day.
Her other classes were popular also. But this 15:00 class was the one that really took off. When she started teaching this class, it was weekly. She called the class, "Intentional Yoga." After just two months, the students nearly demanded she offer the class every day. Hana, flattered by their persistence, came to a compromise with the students on teaching Intentional Yoga. She would hold the class three times per week, but not daily and not on Saturdays. Hana didn't know it at the time, but the scarcity of the class added to its appeal with her students.
After almost four years of yoga teaching, Hana began formulating her theory of yoga. She found the practice enlightening spiritually, mentally, and physically. These were the core aspects of her yoga practice and the foundation of her intention. That's when the name struck her, Intentional Yoga. Hana thought she invented the phrase. At least, she'd never heard "Intentional Yoga" before she started using it.
She would be the first to admit that creativity is not the word that comes to mind when thinking of the name. Her goal was not creativity, but rather simplicity. She wanted the name to convey a simple message while still being widely applicable. Intentional Yoga focuses on setting an intention and using the practice to bring the mind, body, and spirit into connection with it. Hana sometimes caught herself over-explaining the meaning behind Intentional Yoga to first-time students. Over time, though, she simply invited people to attend the class instead of trying to explain each detail.
Hana closed her eyes and savored the last sip of her coffee, offering a silent gratitude for Joelle, who made the perfect coffee just in time. With a few minutes before class, Hana laid out both of her mats. One was green and the other pink, both the same brand and style, differing only in color. A friend who believed in her gave her the green mat for Christmas when she started teaching. It still held special significance for her, although Hana hadn't thought about its origin in some time. She wondered briefly why those memories came to her now, then allowed those thoughts to pass as she turned to greet the students setting up for class.
That's when she noticed Nathan. He was already set up with his mat in the front row. He must have been one of the first to arrive, Hana thought. A smile came naturally when she saw him. Their eyes met, and his gentle demeanor caused something inside her to soften and relax. Hana felt unexpectedly comfortable in his presence, as though she could lower her guard just a little bit. She gave a wave and a smile as she said good afternoon to Nathan.
A different thought flashed through Hana's mind as she smiled at Nathan. I should probably greet everyone else and not spend the whole time smiling at him. Her smile grew even bigger. She kindly agreed with herself that she should greet the others. She remained grateful and glad for spending those few extra moments smiling at Nathan.
Hana gave a final welcome to all the students present. She walked over and closed the door to the classroom. As she turned around, something in the room felt different. The feeling was difficult for Hana to describe. When she looked over the students, she no longer saw the individual faces she had greeted. For just a moment, the room felt like a single living thing, greater than any one person, connected and somehow more intimate.
She had seen the trees, but now she felt the forest. Hana made a mental note of this feeling to explore later in her own practice. She walked intentionally to the front of the classroom. The class was full, with a couple new faces, just as usual. Hana stepped to her mat, smiled at the students, and began.