Page 45 of No Such Thing as Serendipity
“I hope it’s not the drill sergeant,” Katlynn said, adjusting her purple bandanna that matched her tie-dyed dress.
Nobody had to ask who she meant since there was only one instructor who treated the retreat like boot camp. I couldn’t even remember her name, and I wasn’t positive if the others did, either. We’d just taken to calling her the drill sergeant.
“That woman scares me,” Annie said.
“You?” Katlynn laughed. “I had her for yoga class this morning, and I thought she was going to rip my hamstrings. She kept telling me to deepen into the pose.” Katlynn threw her arm into the air, and the bangles on her wrist jangled as she did. “Fuck, if I went any deeper, I’d have shoved my head into the ground like an ostrich.”
I laughed at the visual.
“I don’t know. I kinda like the no-nonsense approach to this shit,” Dana said, flopping into an empty chair.
Before I could sit next to Dana, Emma slid into it, forcing me to take a seat across the firepit from both.
Annie shot a look at Emma and then glanced at me. “I’d prefer a gentler approach. Fingers crossed we get Robyn.”
“She was great yesterday,” Helena said. “I’ve never felt so supported doing yoga.”
Dana crossed her arms over her chest. “I’ll be happy just to get my certificate.”
“Certificate?” I asked.
“Yeah, that says I’ve completed the program.” Dana gave no further explanation.
She was a lawyer. Certainly, she wasn’t here for community service.Right.Because the courts ordered a women’s retreat as restitution.
I glanced at Dana. Who cared why she was here? I just wanted to get a handful of what she’d been offering me.
We didn’t have to wait long before Robyn strode toward us. She sported an easy smile and waved as she came nearer. The pair of shorts she wore showed off her toned legs. With the first few buttons of her blue jean shirt open, it revealed her tan chest, sprinkled with freckles.
I glanced at Dana, who also seemed to take in Robyn’s outfit.
“Hi, gang.” Robyn took the empty chair next to me. “We have an hour before lunch, so let’s get started. Who’s taken part in a sharing circle before?”
Everyone raised their hands except for me and Dana.
“Good. Good,” Robyn said. “Let me give you a few ground rules. I’ll ask a question, and everyone will have the opportunity to answer. I ask that you actively listen to the person speaking without interruption.”
“We listen and we don’t judge,” Dana said in a monotone voice, mimicking the social media trend.
“Exactly.” If Robyn noticed the sarcasm in Dana’s voice, she didn’t act like it. “That’s the perfect analogy. We want everyone to be comfortable sharing.”
“That’s kinda scary,” Helena said.
Robyn gave her an understanding smile. “It definitely is. That’s why we need to create an environment where everyone feels free to be themselves—authentic.” Robyn glanced around the circle. “It takes time, though, so only share what you’re comfortable with. Questions?”
“What are we supposed to share?” Katlynn asked.
“That’s next on my agenda. Every day—”
“You mean we have to do this again?” Dana said.
Robyn smiled. “Yes. You’ll find the more you do it, the more comfortable you’ll become.”
I doubted I’d ever be comfortable sharing my deepest thoughts with a bunch of strangers, or even with my sister for that matter, but I’d take Robyn’s word for it.
Robyn put her hand against her chest. “I’ll start with a serious question. Then end the session with something lighthearted to bring the emotions down. Is everyone ready to begin?”
We answered in the affirmative, except for Dana, who at least said nothing. Robyn glanced around the circle one last time. “I always begin and end my sessions with a moment of reflection. Everyone, close your eyes and breathe with me.”
