Majesty smiled. “Good. Now, let’s do that again. Both of you, stand and then kneel for us.”
We practiced the movement over and over. Standing, kneeling, adjusting our posture based on their feedback. Luna was patient, offering quiet tips when I struggled.
“Your body is different from hers,” Lex noted after several repetitions. “What works for her might not work exactly the same for you. Listen to what feels sustainable versus what causes strain.”
Luna was slimmer than I was and obviously more flexible. I tried not to get discouraged, but she always seemed to hit everything perfectly. After twenty minutes of practicing kneel, Majesty called for a water break.
“How are you feeling?” he asked as I grabbed my water bottle.
“Like I need to do more yoga,” I admitted, rolling my shoulders.
He laughed. “It gets easier. Your muscles will adapt. However, having a good workout means better stamina.”
“Also, I’ve been doing this a lot longer than you have. So I have a lot of experience. Please, don’t compare yourself. You’ll get it, trust me.” Luna smiled.
I nodded back, accepting her feedback.
“Next position,” Lex announced. “Present.”
Luna demonstrated by kneeling again, but this time with her thighs spread wider, her hands resting palms-up on her thighs, her head tilted back slightly with eyes forward.
“This position is more vulnerable,” Majesty explained. “It’s an offering of trust. Notice how her entire body is open.”
I tried to copy it, feeling immediately more exposed despite being fully clothed and warned.
“Wider,” Lex instructed. “And relax your hands. You’re gripping your thighs.”
I adjusted, trying to find the balance between open and comfortable.
“Good,” he said. “Remember to breathe. A lot of people hold their breath in vulnerable positions.”
We practiced until my thighs were shaking, then moved on to inspection—standing with feet shoulder-width apart, hands behind my head, eyes forward.
“This one is about stillness,” Majesty said, walking a slow circle around both of us as we held the position. “About being able to maintain composure while being observed.”
It was harder than it sounded. Every instinct wanted me to fidget, to adjust, to look at them.
“Breathe, Cami,” Lex said quietly. “Stay present in your body.”
After what felt like an eternity, he said, “Release.”
I dropped my arms with a grateful sigh.
“You did well,” Majesty said, and the approval in his voice made something warm curl in my stomach. “For your first day, that was really good.”
“We’ll practice more tomorrow,” Lex added. “But you’re getting the fundamentals. That’s what matters.”
Luna smiled at me as we grabbed our water. “You’re a natural. Seriously.”
“I don’t feel like one.”
“None of us do at first,” she assured me. “But you’re listening to your body and making adjustments. That’s the important part.”
After we finished, Majesty and Lex walked me back to our cabin.
“How are you feeling?” Lex asked.
“Sore,” I admitted. “But good. This is... different than I expected.”
