Page 14 of Downward Dawg
“It’s definitely a stretch.” His voice was thin and she turned her head to look at him, watching as he rolled a shoulder. “Doesn’t hurt, but I can feel it everywhere. Not just my legs and back.”
“Good.” Her short answer drew a chuckle from him. “Means you’re doing it right.”
They held that for a few more breaths, and she counted them out of the pose. “And one, relax.” He sat up, rolling both shoulders this time. “Let’s stretch out our spines. Move to your back and bring your legs to your chest. If that’s uncomfortable or awkward, lie on your side and tuck your knees into a fetal position. As best as you can.” She demonstrated both positions, staying on her side when he adopted that pose. “Feel the muscles of your back release. Tuck your tailbone under, let your glutes stretch everything back into place.”
“This isn’t too bad,” he offered, lying an arm’s length away, eyes closed and a relaxed expression on his face. “I sure don’t hate it.”
“Final shavasana, it’s called corpse pose, and it’s my favorite. That’s because, no matter how hard my practice was, when I hit this one, I know I’m done for the night.” She rolled to her back. “Legs out long, tuck your shoulder blades under your back, so there’s a natural arch in your neck. Arms down to your sides, and let your feet relax outward. Palms up to receive, and simply breathe. We’ll stay here as long as needed.”
Eyes closed, she listened as he adjusted, then shifted a couple of times before growing quiet. The music was playing in the background, a soft accompaniment to the ending of this joint yoga session.
Elodie drew in a long breath, and blew it out, pleased when he did the same. Then, for two or three minutes, they simply lay on their mats, quiet, unspeaking.
She rolled to one elbow and opened her mouth to tell him how well he’d done, but quickly decided to keep her observations to herself.
Dawg was sleeping on her floor, head cocked to one side as if he’d been keeping an eye on her.Watchin’ out for me.
Elodie grinned and lay back down, closer this time, and hooked her little finger around his.Puttin’ it out there that I like this. Thanks, universe. Appreciate this gift you’ve sent my way.
She’d wait for him to wake.
***
Mad Dawg
Groaning, he yawned and stretched, the bed unfamiliar and uncomfortable underneath him.
“Sleeping handsome awakes.” Soft lips brushed against his cheek and he smiled as he recognized the voice and rolled towards Ella, opening his eyes.
“Was I supposed to do that?” Blinking sleep from his eyes, he stared at her. “Relax that much?”
“It’s not something I encourage at the studio, for obvious reasons.” She shifted to lay her head on one folded arm. Bringing his hand to her mouth, she gently kissed the back of it. “But here? A short catnap is entirely appropriate.”
“How long was I out?” He looked beyond her at Chicken on the couch, snoring with all four feet in the air. “You stayed with me?"
"Not long, a few minutes. Maybe thirty.” Fingers threaded through his, she tucked his hand underneath her cheek. “And yeah, I took the opportunity to relax just a little longer, too.”
“These mats aren’t meant for napping.” Stretching out his legs, he groaned as muscles twinged. “Not a bed, that’s for sure.”
“Nope, they’re one-use, really. They have thicker mats for folks who have knee problems. Makes it easier to kneel in various poses, but even those aren’t a substitute for a good bed.” Her smile widened, growing mischievous. “And I happen to have a very good bed.”
“Do tell?” He twisted to look at the speaker next to the TV. The pulses of sound came at regular intervals, resonating through his ears. “What the hell is this music? I think it’s hypnotic or something. I can’t believe I fell asleep.”
“It’s not music per se. It’s a set of tones, ones specifically tuned for relaxation. Your body knows what it needs, and this is a tool to open the door. If I’d used essential oils too, I doubt you’d have woken before morning.” She curled a little closer, eyes dancing with amusement. “I told you I’m a master at my craft.”
“I’ll never doubt you again, woman.” He stretched and was gratified to hear several vertebrae in his back pop and crack. “Best sleep I’ve had in a while. Even short, it was really good.”
“And the yoga? You didn’t hate it?” She echoed his words about the ride from earlier. The expression on her face told him she already knew the answer.
Grinning wryly, he told her, “I liked it. I’m not an idiot, though. I know you took it easy on me. But it was a nice introduction.” He angled his head to bring his lips to hers, brushing across once, twice, three times before he pulled back. “This was nice.”
“Yeah. It really was.”
Chicken snorted in his sleep and rolled to his belly on the couch, blinking down at Mad Dawg for a moment before his face expanded into a doggy grin.
Mad Dawg barely got his hands down to protect his balls before the dog leaped on him.
“Chicken Nugget. No,” Elodie scolded through her laughter. “Stop it. Off, you beast. Off.”
