The Sleeping Serpent

The Sleeping Serpent - Chapter 2

On her way to Nico's studio, Luna wondered why her mouth was dry and her jaw tensed. In her career, she had become a trusted confidante to Hollywood's elite; even the most self-obsessed movie stars entrusted her with their image. Certainly, meeting with a hot Latin man should not make her nervous. Plus, she was curious to see if yoga could be the magic bullet that would turn back her clock.

Driving to Amaru brought to mind the first time she had taken a ballet lesson. She must have been around four years old-hiding behind her mother, peering out at the older girls. Standing in front of the mirror, Luna's eyes remained fixed on the ballet mistress, who moved like a magical bird and had arms like the wings of an angel. Luna wanted to be just like her, so she memorized every tilt of the head and placement of fingers. Listening to the piano player, Luna mirrored the steps of the girl in front of her, embarrassed when the teacher stopped to adjust her placement. Soon she learned corrections were given only to girls the teacher believed had promise, and Luna still vividly remembered the day when a new girl was placed behind her. She cherished those moments, working diligently to be recognized. Not until she became a relatively successful costume designer did she realize ballet had given her the focus and perseverance to listen, learn, observe, and work hard to get noticed.

Pulling into a parking space at Amaru Yoga, she felt a small flutter in her belly. She'd had that same feeling when the piano began and she attempted her first plie. Inside, Nico greeted her warmly with a kiss on each cheek. Luna found that custom charming, if slightly awkward because she never knew which cheek came first.

Nico's loose, black yoga pants hung just right on his slim hips. A white T-shirt with graphic tribal snake design revealed his broad shoulders and chest and provided contrast to the warm skin tone of his strong arms. Nico moved gracefully, like a dancer, showing her around the studio space with pride, telling her how the floors had been rescued from an old church in his hometown in Argentina. Luna found herself taking him in, then looked away, red-faced, when she realized that although his sweats were loose, the fabric clung to the perfect form of his manhood. Laughing at herself, she wondered if her scrutiny came from being a woman or a costume designer.

Pushing those thoughts aside, she focused on the music playing in the background-light, breathy tones of flutes combined with gentle and soft drumming immediately soothed her. "What is that you're playing?" she asked. Nico replied that he'd created a station on Spotify he called "Healing Flutes of the Andes," because it rooted him in the mountains where he felt physically and spiritually connected.

He escorted Luna into a little chamber painted a dark oxblood red surprisingly similar to the color of her den at home, with oversized woven tapestry pillows surrounding a low slate table. A shelf on one wall held stone artifacts and primitively carved bowls. Gesturing for her to sit down, he poured them each a mug of tea from a black iron teapot. Still a bit nervous, Luna got up and walked to a gallery of framed photos on the wall facing her. They depicted Nico with local Indians in brightly colored costumes; the majestic Andes Mountains provided a backdrop.

Luna inquired about a picture of him sitting in a circle, a drummer in the center. He replied, "I asked permission for that photo to be taken before we started the ceremony. That's where I learned everything about healing and how to find the cause of illness, not to just treat symptoms." Then getting down to the business at hand, he prompted, "What is your life like? What brings you joy?"

Luna spoke rapidly, almost too quickly, describing a typically stressful day of eating quickly while working, getting home late, and drinking wine to unwind before the next day's repeat performance.

When she finally slowed down, Nico handed her another mug of tea-a fragrant concoction of herbs and lemon. The aroma and warmth comforted and relaxed her. Settling down, she looked up and saw his eyes-they glowed. "Luna, you are like the mouse running in the wheel-and missing everything around you. There is more to life."