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If you take the time to check out the short story below, please also take a moment to leave a comment in the comment section below to let me know what you thought. It would mean the world to me as the writer.

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Continued from: https://www.furaffinity.net/view/40085013/

***

Sly moved down the hall and found the room Mrs. Barkin had indicated. The room was clear of most furniture. Only a short desk with a radio atop it was in one corner, and a couch sat against the far wall.


In the center of the room were two yoga mats. On one of which sat Mrs. Barkin in a very interesting position. The lovely older Dalmatian was on her knees and elbows facing upwards with her body bent backwards in a tight arch. She cast a smirk laden glance at the surprised wolfox as he stopped in his tracks in the doorway. "Took you long enough luv. Was starting to think I'd get stuck like this." she said jokingly.


"H-Have you been in that position for long?" asked Sly feeling a little badly for making her wait.


"No. Don't fret. I got into a ready position and took the pose as I heard your footsteps approaching." she said as she relaxed and turned over onto her stomach. She stretched her limbs out after as her smirk softened into a warm smile.


"Is...that what you're going to be teaching me?" he asked hesitantly.


"Oh my no. The Pigeon Position is a little too advanced for a beginner to attempt. I just use it to impress people." she giggled.


"Well it worked. I must say you're very flexible." he replied truthfully.


"Thank you luv. I work hard at maintaining my flexibility; even at my age." she said.


"Age is just a number. You're only as old as you feel." said Sly in return.


"I'm glad to hear you feel that way luv. So let’s get you started. First rule of my lessons is no sudden distractions. That can lead to unconsciously straining your muscles in painful ways. So while I will turn on some nice meditation music on the radio, your phone will have to be put on silent." she said as she stood.


"Yes ma'am." replied the younger male with a nod. He pressed a few buttons and slipped the device back into his pocket.


As it slid to the bottom of his pocket a new message lit up the screen from Pips. "Just please...don't forget about me..." read the note for a brief second before the phone screen went dark in standby mode once again.


***

“We’ll be starting with a few simple poses and maybe try a harder one or two in a little bit.” declared Mrs. Barkin as she stepped up to the desk and pressed a button on the radio. The room was soon filled with the sound of soft wind instruments mingled with the ambient sounds of a rainforest. Sly stood stiffly and watched as the older Dalmatian returned to her mat. “Just follow my lead.” she instructed as she moved her legs so that she looked like she was taking a lunging step forward and turned sideways to him as she outstretched her arms to her sides with her head still facing forward.

“This is the…’Warrior’ pose right?” asked Sly as he awkwardly mimicked her posture.

“Very good luv. I’m sure your housemate would be happy to know that you’re paying attention when they talk about yoga.” Mrs. Barkin chuckled in response as she stopped her pose to walk to the male momentarily. She tapped him in different places, pushing him into a more correct pose. A motion he didn’t fight against. He allowed her to move his arms and legs, and hold them where they should be. “Good. Now hold this position for two minutes.” she said as she moved back to her own mat and resumed the pose herself.

As the seconds ticked by Sly looked around the room. Mrs. Barkin was keeping her eyes closed. Maybe that was part of this. He decided to copy her and closed his own eyes. The remaining time passed and he heard her speak again. “Alright. Now slowly pull yourself back to a standing position. Take a deep breath and move into this position.” she directed as she lifted her left leg. She bent it and held it paw down against her right knee as she reached upward and put her palms together above her head.

“Sly teetered a little as he shifted his balance to one leg and tried to mimic her again. “I know of this one. But I don’t remember what it is called.” he said aloud.

“This pose is called the ‘Tree Pose’, but don’t worry about the names. It’ll only distract you. Besides, some of the names you wouldn’t be able to pronounce without practice.” she said as she moved around him again to check his posture.

“Alright.” he relented and again let her critique his posture. This time he raised is eyebrow curiously. It wasn’t his imagination before. She was lingering her touch over his muscles as she did. He watched her as she moved back to her own mat again and took up the pose.

“Breathe deeply and hold this pose for two minutes.” she instructed again. Sly teetered a little through the duration, but eventually the two minutes were up. “You’re doing well Sly.” said the Dalmatian as they dropped the pose. He returned a smile in appreciation before she moved toward the door.

“Are we done already?” he asked as he watched her go. There was a little disappointment in his voice.

“Oh no no. Of course not. I’m not sure you caught the small sound of fabric straining during that first pose, but I wasn’t really expecting to do yoga today and this outfit is not built for it. So since I don’t feel like ripping it I’m going to go slip into something a bit more freeing.” she explained with a smile. Sly nodded to this notion before she stepped out of the room. He sat down on the couch and closed his eyes in the meantime and focused on the ambient music coming from the radio.

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If you take the time to check out the short story below, please also take a moment to leave a comment in the comment section below to let me know what you thought. It would mean the world to me as the writer.

---

Continued here: https://www.furaffinity.net/view/40145176/


Seems the lesson is going over well. Mrs. Barkin is a good teacher. Sly is enjoying himself and may be more willing to join Maneki at home when she does her yoga exercises. Now to relax a little and wait for Mrs. Barkin to return.

Art by:  wrytergirl

Dottie Barkin was originally designed by:  PetraVey and  stinaasaurusrex and adopted by me.

Sly is mine.