Prompt: Clay tries his hand at yoga. What? Cowboys can't do yoga? (Submitted by anonymous on tumblr.)
Deep breath, hands clasped together in front of the chest. Inhale, now, and raise the arms above the head, and lean back until the entire body forms a clean, even arc. Exhale, and bring the arms forward, bending the body at the hips and keeping the legs straight until the palms lay flat on the floor; feel the muscles stretch, hold it.
Now extend the right leg back, and feel the stretching there as the head is tilted toward the warm morning light. Inhale again, and this time extend the left leg so that the body takes a pose similar to that of an inclined plane. The hips go up, now, and the head goes down, until the body's alignment looks like that of a mountain or hill.
After that, the upper body comes to the floor, while the lower back and hips are still raised. From there, arch back so that the spine is but one smooth curve. Hold it, and then repeat the steps in reverse, remembering that breathing is the key, until once gain the palms are pressed together in front of the chest, and the gentle heat of the sun warms the face and loosened muscles.
But, then—yes, there it was again. "I can hear y'all breathing, you know."
The sound of footsteps approaching, three distinct sets. "Man, Clay. What're you doing?"
"Surya Namaskaram." Inhale, exhale. Calm. Relaxed. "What? Cowboys can't do yoga?"