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Balance of Power
Yoga in the park, at dusk: I’ve never felt more connected to the here and now than here, and now. I’m not at peace, because I rarely am, but I can see peace on the horizon.
I’m running through a series of balance asanas for his camera. There’s no one else in sight as the sun sets, and he wants to capture me balancing in a world in balance, on the cusp of light and dark, at the border of public and private.
As he photographs me, he reflects on the balance in our relationship: he says we work so well together because he offers me a balance of freedom and restraint, of pleasure and punishment.
I tell him life would do that even if he didn’t, that what he brings me is the balance between service and reward, and in return I balance his needs with mine.
Ultimately, what we give each other is the only important balance: devotion matched with equal devotion.
I end my yoga routine as I always do, with a one-legged upward bow. It doesn’t test my balance much, but it does help bring balance to my chakras.
When I hear the shutter sound I lower my leg, but it seems he hasn’t finished yet.
“How long can you hold that pose?”
“A chakrasana? It isn’t meant to be held for a long time, sir. I usually go three slow breaths.”
