The sun streamed gently through the floor-to-ceiling windows of the cozy yoga studio. Wooden floors, the scent of lavender, and the faint sound of calming music created a space perfect for serenity and focus. In the middle of this sanctuary stood Scarlett, an eager beginner who had only recently begun exploring the world of yoga.
Scarlett was 22, energetic, curious, and always up for a challenge. She had been following yoga classes online for a few months but hadn’t yet dared to join an in-person session. That changed today. She finally stepped into the studio, mat in hand, wearing a soft pink tank top and charcoal leggings, ready for her first private session with Ava, a seasoned yoga instructor known for her patience and encouragement.
“Hi, Scarlett!” Ava greeted her with a warm smile. “I’m so glad you’re here. Are you ready to try something new today?”
Scarlett nodded excitedly, tucking a loose strand of hair behind her ear. “I’m ready! I’ve been practicing a lot of beginner stuff, but I think I’m ready to push myself.”
Ava smiled knowingly. “Perfect. Today, we’re going to focus on a pose that helps open your heart, strengthen your core, and improve your balance. Ever heard of Wild Thing?”
Scarlett’s eyes widened. “Nope! Sounds dramatic!”
Ava laughed. “It’s also called Camatkarasana. Don’t worry—it’s not as scary as it sounds. We’ll break it down step-by-step.”
They began with some light warm-ups—gentle stretches, Cat-Cow poses to loosen the spine, and a few rounds of Sun Salutations. Ava moved fluidly through each motion, encouraging Scarlett to breathe deeply and find her rhythm.
As Scarlett settled into her flow, her initial nervousness faded. Her body responded gracefully, her breath syncing with each motion. After about 15 minutes of movement, Ava paused and motioned for Scarlett to meet her at the center of the mat.
“Alright,” Ava began. “Let’s build into Wild Thing. We’ll start in Downward Facing Dog.”
Scarlett got into the familiar pose, hands and feet pressing into the mat, hips lifted high, heels gently reaching toward the floor.
“Now,” Ava instructed, “lift your right leg up behind you—nice and strong. This is called Three-Legged Dog.”
Scarlett did as instructed, feeling her right leg extend and the stretch deepen in her left calf.
“Good. Now bend that right knee and open your hip, letting your foot fall toward your left side.”
Scarlett’s body followed the movement, though she wobbled slightly. Ava offered verbal encouragement, reminding her to breathe and keep her left arm steady.
“Here’s where the fun begins,” Ava said. “Slowly, step your right foot behind you, off the mat, and let your body roll open. Trust your strength.”
Scarlett hesitated for just a moment but then gently placed her right foot behind her, letting her right arm lift toward the ceiling. Her chest opened, her hips lifted, and suddenly she was in Wild Thing—heart wide, body arched gracefully, toes grounded, and face filled with joy.
Ava clapped softly. “You did it! That’s Wild Thing! You just turned your energy inside out.”
Scarlett held the pose for a few seconds, then slowly returned to Downward Dog, laughing breathlessly.
“That was amazing!” she gasped. “I felt like I was flying.”
Ava grinned. “That’s the power of heart-opening poses. They challenge you, yes, but they also liberate you. It’s like saying, ‘Here I am, world!’”
Encouraged by her success, Scarlett tried the pose on the other side, this time with more confidence. Although her left side was slightly less steady, Ava guided her through minor adjustments—pressing deeper through her grounded hand, lifting the hips higher, pointing the toes—and helped her find her balance again.
After several repetitions and small breaks in Child’s Pose, they sat cross-legged on their mats, sipping water and smiling.
“That was definitely the most exciting pose I’ve tried,” Scarlett admitted, wiping sweat from her brow. “At first I thought I’d fall over, but something about it made me feel…stronger.”
Ava nodded. “That’s what yoga does. It meets you where you are, and then it gently nudges you further—mind, body, and spirit.”
Scarlett leaned back on her hands and stared up at the ceiling, thoughtful. “I used to think yoga was just for relaxation. I didn’t expect to feel so empowered.”
“It’s a journey,” Ava replied. “You’re learning how to listen to your body and trust yourself. Wild Thing is symbolic too—when you open your heart like that, you’re saying yes to possibility.”
As they wound down with a soothing Savasana, Scarlett felt her body melting into the mat. Her heart was still fluttering with excitement, not from nervousness now, but from accomplishment. She had done something new, something that scared her a little—but she had done it anyway.
When the session ended, she rolled up her mat with a renewed sense of purpose. Ava handed her a small journal.
“What’s this?” Scarlett asked.
“A yoga reflection journal. Write down how you feel after each session. Track your poses, your breath, your emotions. It’ll help you notice growth—even the things you can’t see in the mirror.”
Scarlett smiled, hugging the journal close. “Thank you. I’m going to keep practicing Wild Thing until I can do it with my eyes closed.”
Ava laughed. “Just don’t try that today!”
They both giggled, and Scarlett left the studio glowing. The street outside was busy with traffic and chatter, but she felt like she was floating above it all. With each step, she carried the energy of the pose within her—open, strong, and wildly free.
From that day on, Scarlett practiced Wild Thing every morning. At first, she toppled sometimes. Other times she didn’t feel confident. But each time, she showed up. And each time, her body opened a little more, her heart lifted a little higher, and her spirit stretched just a bit further
Teaching Scarlett a new yoga pose wasn’t just about movement. It was about discovery—of courage, of growth, and of the joyful wildness that lies within all of us, just waiting for the right pose to awaken it.
