The Most Expensive Yoga Class Never Taken.

A good friend of mine did something yesterday that caused her to pay for the most expensive yoga class she’s never taken. She drove a little over the speed limit to make it to an Ashtanga class on time. How many people have found themselves rushing to make it in before the door slams shut and the “Class is Full” sign is posted?

It was early Saturday morning, the streets were virtually empty, and my friend really needed a good yoga class. You see, her mother had been admitted to the hospital the day before and she was feeling more stressed out than usual. So, with a bit of a heavy heart and, obviously, a heavy right foot, she zoomed into the yoga studio parking lot at around 7 miles per hour over the legal limit. At least, that’s what the police officer who pulled in behind her, with blue lights flashing, alleged.

My friend jumped out of her car, ran to the yoga studio door, and was met with the cold, cruel realization that class was, indeed, full. The teacher walked out, apologetically, with the dreaded “Class is Full” sign in his hand.

“Can’t you squeeze in one more?” my friend pleaded.

“I’m sorry,” the kind yoga teacher explained, “We just don’t have room.”

“But, I’m having a terrible morning!” my friend cried.

It was then that she realized how terrible her morning had actually become. You see, in her overzealousness to make it to class on time, she never noticed the blue lights flashing behind her. Apparently, the officer had been following her for quite some time.

“Ma’am, excuse me,” the officer interrupted.

“What?” my friend turned around and asked.

“Ma’am, I need you to step over to the car,” the officer requested.

Confused, my friend walked toward her car. The yoga teacher leaned in and whispered, “If you come back later today, class will be free.”

The officer began to question my friend regarding the speed limit. Didn’t she see him behind her?

“No, I didn’t see you behind me,” she started to cry, “I was trying to get to yoga class on time. Don’t you know how fast these classes fill up?”

“Well, I’m going to have to give you a ticket,” he responded.

My friend quickly realized she had forgotten her wallet that morning. Obviously, this is not a move that either pleases or amuses our police force. Back inside the car, my friend just sat and cried.

Several more yogis showed up late for class and were met by the locked door and “Class is Full” sign. One stopped to ask the officer for directions. The other one actually knew the officer. They embraced and proceeded to catch up on old times while my friend sat in the car and continued to cry.

Twenty minutes and $147.00 later, my friend drove away. Some days are just like that, aren’t they? I guess her lesson was to take more time, relax, and stop hurrying. It’s a great lesson for all of us. Perhaps it was a lesson for the officer as well. Maybe the next time he sees a person speeding in the direction of a yoga studio, he’ll stop for a moment to realize the great paradox of our times – SOME OF US ARE IN A HURRY TO SLOW DOWN!