Nothing ends a yoga class like a hot cup of talk

For my second shot at energizing my mind body and soul I signed up for a yoga class. Let me tell you, the day after the massage class it didn't seem like the best idea as I sauntered bowl legged to Mam's house. Mam is a 67 year old Hindu (both Thai and East Indian) from Bangkok but you'd never know it but her flexibility and outlook on life. She is not only physically fit but has the mentality of someone so young and still learning but with firm beliefs and opinions. Her class started out with a half hour meditation and moved from stretching to a few classic yoga moves into several rounds of the sun salutation. I'm embarrassed to say that our fitness levels are no where near each other. I did empress myself with some poses and was disappointed with others, Bikram yoga is definitely the way to go if you are questioning your flexibility. Mam also had us practicing hand stands, what a treat and was very confident everyone could do one, and we all could, thanks Mam I'll add that to my resume 'can stand on head'. To end our yoga session Mam whipped us up a Thai meal and we all sat around listening to her gossip. I was laughing so hard a noodle came out my nose. Drama drama everywhere. She told us who was drinking, who had several wives, who was a con artist, trouble maker, you name it. She just lit up when she was dishing all this news but a little of it was rather disturbing. It sounds like she fights with most of the women here because she is friends with the foreigners and happy doing her own thing. They criticize her for cooking for her students and giving them cheap accommodation but as she says "don't tell me my business" and she can't take her money with her when she dies and as long as her dogs are fed she is happy. She has also donated her body to the hospital after she passes as she says she is a teacher in life and will be in death (meaning her body will teach the med students) what a lovely concept. to top it all off she keeps the empty water bottles of the students to give to the disabled man who wanders around picking through garbages so that he doesn't have to do that. It was a very enlightening day and I've achieved a happiness buckets can't provide. Fun Fact: While we were all struggling into handstands against the wall trying not to fall over Mam went to the middle of the room popped herself up on her head in one swift motion and went into the splits. My jaw dropped, 67 years young!