Last weekend I discovered the Hamptons thanks to my kind-hearted cousin Yvette Chang who invited me to Westhampton Beach for the weekend for relaxation…
Instead of crying about the loss of my mother 30+ years ago (her birthday was earlier this week), I actually experienced true joy – by practicing yoga. I tagged along with cousin Yvette (who is super fit), and we signed up for Jivamukti Open on Saturday morning at Hamptons Yoga Healing Arts in the heart of Westhampton Beach.
As an engineer, I liked the oh-so-heavenly layout of the picturesque studio – lined with wood floors (ideal for bare feet and yoga mats and later headstands) and flanked with opened French doors at the east and west ends of the studio – allowing the ocean breeze from perhaps nearby Roger’s Beach to cool down my anxiety and permeate my senses…
Instructor Abby Vakay (owner and founder of Hamptons Yoga Healing Arts) was popular indeed!
Three yoga mats in parallel turned into four, then we had to make room for five – just in the front row! Perhaps 30 “downward dog” aficionados packed the space – mostly regulars who traveled from NYC on the weekends or even North Fork for this class. I trekked from sunny Sarasota, Florida and met Karen Ascher, who is thinking about moving to Sarasota County because her son Steve Ascher has been training in baseball at Charlotte Sports Park on his climb to MLB with the Tampa Bay Rays. Delighted to meet many devoted Abby followers, I had no idea how amazing her class would be…
Cousin Yvette convinced me again to join her for a second morning of yoga on Sunday. “Yoga for Surfers & Athletes” (taught by Jesse Falk, whose tall, lean and limber build is a cross between volleyball champion Gabby Reese and volleyball Olympian gold medalist Kerri Walsh Jennings) preceded our 9:30 am session. Even surfer Jesse participated in our 1-½ hour session.
All these lean and limber bodies (including two men) did not intimidate me. All these ladies dressed in LuLuLemon or brightly-colored Just Live and Jiva outfits made me wonder whether I should have ordered my first Fabletics wear from Kate Hudson!
On Saturday, Abby empowered us to be present in the moment, though I could not help but ponder about my dear friend orchestrating his Mom’s funeral service in Tampa that morning. Sunday I awoke to an email about my friend whose husband came home from the hospital on Thursday and passed away on Friday (they met in 5 grade, became high school sweethearts and were married 59 years).
Life is too short and unpredictable. Yvette is my shining angel! So is Abby!!
I am 4’-10” (that’s 2” taller than the Olympics US gymnast gold medalist Simone Biles!), and my gymnastics maneuvers ended after 5 grade. How could I ever twist my petite torso and loop my right arm under my right thigh to only grab my left hand behind my back (Did you get that picture?!)??
I mastered some moves: the plank,
cobra,
downward dog
and child’s pose. Oh yeah, I was even proud of my warrior poses – stretched outward, tight and smiling.
Once, when I stretched my right leg out to the side from a squatted position, Abby commented to the class that my pose was a good modification. Woo-hoo! I was elated with newfound yoga confidence!
Abby meanders by the yoga mats – monitoring us and even spotting the advanced yoga participants with their headstands.
My cousin and new Barnard alumna friend in the front row needed no help in their quick transition to a headstand.
When our eyes were closed,
I could actually hear the outdoor frogs croaking to a rhythm and then feel the sporadic breeze brush by my now disheveled French braid.
After class, I took a lovely photo of our yoga instructor Abby.
Yvette later showed me poses I have yet to achieve...
Cousin Yvette whips her high ponytail this way and that…
Then I witnessed Abby and Jesse ease up to striking poses:
Jesse tested Yvette’s flexibility, strength and spirit by creating mini Cirque du Soleil gestures for me to cheer.
I learned a lot of incredible stretches from the Hamptons Yoga, and I left feeling over 5’ tall! Next time I take yoga, I will reminisce about Hamptons Yoga – from staring out at nature…
And sometimes gazing up at trees upside down…
To recalling Abby Vakay’s soft hymn:
Melting at the heart…
At the heart…
Heart of the matter…