1. Jamie

1

JAMIE

T he insistent ring of her phone alarm made Jamie Nguyen wake up, and she swatted at it blindly to shut it up. With a groan that rivaled the rusty gate across the street, she rolled over and squinted at the pre-dawn light filtering through the blinds.

Ugh, 5:30 AM already.

She stretched sluggishly, the sleep clinging to her for a few precious moments before swinging her legs over the side of the bed. A gentle smile played on her lips as she heard a faint pop echoing from her lower back, making her wince at the familiar ache—a souvenir from yesterday's particularly vigorous vinyasa flow class. But the ache was a welcome reminder of her dedication to a healthy body and mind.

Today was going to be a good day, she could already feel it.

Reaching for her half-empty water bottle on the nightstand, she took a long, gulping drink. Hydration was key, as she always said to her clients.

As she stood up from the bed, her eyes caught her naked reflection in the full-length wall mirror.

Her shoulder-length dark hair was a cascade of glossy black waves, tied in a messy bun. Her features were delicate, with gray eyes, a small, straight nose and full lips that often curved into a smile.

Her years of healthy eating and an active lifestyle gave her the athletic body she was so proud of.

She put on her shorts and singlet and headed over to the small kitchen, where she began a ritual as familiar as her own breath.

The kettle hummed to life as she set about lighting a small bundle of sandalwood sticks that lay in a carved wooden holder. With practiced ease, she lit one, watching the flame dance before turning into a wisp of curling smoke that produced a sweet, smoky aroma.

This instantly transported her to her grandmother's tiny Hanoi apartment, where the scent had always mingled with the aroma of simmering pho.

She scooped a loose-leaf blend of chamomile and lavender from a cobalt blue tin into her favorite ceramic mug, adorned with swirling blue and white patterns. It was a present from her father last year on her 38th birthday.

Then she poured the steaming water over the herbs inhaling the fresh, calming scent as the delicate flowers unfurled in the hot liquid.

"Just what the doctor ordered," she whispered as she took sips.

Draining the last drops of chamomile tea, Jamie set the mug down with a satisfied sigh.

Today was packed. Not only did she have her usual morning class at the gym, but tonight she was leading a special workshop at a local community center, a chance to introduce the transformative power of yoga to a new group of people.

Images played behind her closed eyelids—the tentative smiles of new students, the hesitant creaks of unfamiliar bodies finding new positions, the eventual sighs of relief and accomplishment—they made her smile.

Unrolling her yoga mat in the center of the living room, she glanced at the small Zen garden she'd meticulously built on her windowsill—a miniature landscape of raked sand, smooth river stones, and a single bonsai tree.

"Alright, body. Time to find our center. Today's gonna be a doozy."

Taking a seat in lotus pose, Jamie brought her hands to her lap, palms facing up. With each inhale, she visualized a golden light filtering into her being, radiating outwards to encompass her entire being. Exhaling, she released any bad energy, letting it dissipate like the morning mist.

Moments melted into one another until a soft chime from her phone timer signaled the end of her meditation and she opened her eyes, feeling centered and grounded.

The morning sun glinted off the chrome of Jamie's Mazda as she pulled into the familiar parking lot of Zenith Fitness. Unloading her gym bag, the rhythmic thrumming of bass music from inside vibrated through the pavement.

Pushing open the doors, she was greeted by the therapeutic sounds of clanking weights and grunts of exertion. Her regulars, a motley crew of office workers, stay-at-home moms, and aspiring athletes, caught sight of her and waved enthusiastically.

Unlike the high-octane, boot-camp style some trainers favored, Jamie's sessions focused on mindful movement and long-term health.

"Alright everyone, gather around!" she called out, her voice warm and inviting.

Most people stopped their stretches and migrated towards the center of the room, where she stood next to a large whiteboard adorned with a colorful anatomical diagram.

"Today's session focuses on core strength and stability," she explained, grabbing a marker and circling a section of the illustration depicting the abdominal muscles.

"As we get older, our muscles can weaken, leading to back pain and decreased stability. These exercises will help strengthen those muscles from the inside out, improving your posture and overall well-being."

The session unfolded with a mix of bodyweight exercises—planks, bridges, and modified side-lying leg raises. These were combined with yoga poses that focussed on core strength. Jamie wasn't a drill sergeant barking commands, but a patient mentor, ensuring their workout was effective, safe, and most importantly, enjoyable.

Spotting a group of friends struggling with medicine ball slams, she approached them.

"Hey guys, remember, core engaged! Use the power of your whole body, not just your arms."

There was nothing as satisfying as watching her clients push their limits, their faces flushed with exertion and smiles. This, she thought, was what it was all about—empowering people to take control of their well-being, not just through physical training, but through a holistic approach to mind and body.

"Great work, Sarah! Feel that burning sensation? That's your body getting stronger."

"Mark, remember to keep your back straight; slow and steady wins the race."

The atmosphere in the gym wasn't one of fierce competition but of camaraderie and mutual support. Clients offered each other high fives after completing challenging sets and groans of exertion were followed by shared laughter.

She walked towards a young woman, who was nervously fiddling with the weight settings on a leg press machine.

"Hey, Lynn, don't worry about setting that too high. Let's start with controlled reps and focus on form first, okay?"

Lynn, a petite brunette with glasses perpetually perched on the bridge of her nose, looked up with a shy smile. "Thanks, Jamie. I just, uh, don't want to make a fool of myself."

"The only way you make a fool of yourself is by giving up before you even try. Remember, strength isn't just about how much weight you lift. It's about pushing yourself, finding your limits, and then exceeding them."

With a patient hand, Jamie adjusted Lynn's posture on the leg press, guiding her through the first few reps. As her initial apprehension melted away, replaced by a focused determination, Jamie couldn't help but beam.

By the end of the class, a collective sense of accomplishment filled the room. Beads of sweat glistened on foreheads but smiles were even brighter.

As they packed up their belongings, Lynn approached her with a grateful smile. "I can finally hike without my knee acting up! Thank you, Jamie, you're a lifesaver."

Moments like these—witnessing the positive impact of her work—were what fueled her passion.

Jamie had chosen the Elmwood Center for a reason. Tucked away in a corner of the city with limited access to high-end gyms, it offered a welcoming space for those seeking a path towards well-being, regardless of their socioeconomic background.

Stepping into the designated workshop room, she surveyed the scene.

The walls were adorned with colorful murals depicting scenes of local landmarks and bulletin boards overflowed with flyers for everything from cooking classes to computer literacy workshops. It radiated a welcoming inclusivity that resonated deeply with Jamie's philosophy.

Folding chairs lined the hardwood floor, facing a makeshift stage adorned with a beautiful portrait depicting a serene mountain landscape.

Dressed in comfortable yoga pants and a loose tank top, she walked up to the chalkboard at the front, grabbed a piece of chalk and wrote a simple inscription: "Find Your Inner Peace."

Smiling to herself, she added a small lotus flower beside the words. It was a symbol of growth, resilience, and the potential for beauty that bloomed within each of them.

A mix of ages and backgrounds filled the room, with curiosity on their faces.

Taking a deep breath, she began. "Hi everyone, and welcome to our Introduction to Mindfulness and Yoga workshop! My name's Jamie, and I'm so grateful you've all chosen to spend your evening here with me."

A smattering of applause filled the room, followed by a few shy smiles. She decided to start by dispelling the misconception that meditation and yoga were reserved for yogis contorted into pretzel shapes, making them laugh.

"You know, I wasn't always this calm and collected person you see in front of you. There was a time when anxiety was a constant companion, and my self-esteem was about as low as a deflated basketball."

She paused, allowing her words to sink in.

"But then I discovered yoga and meditation, at a tender age. It wasn't about forcing myself into impossible poses or clearing my mind completely. It was about learning to listen to my body, to quiet the chatter in my head, and to find a sense of peace within the chaos."

18 years ago…

Twelve-year-old Jamie chewed on her bottom lip, as she sat in class.

Today was the day of the big presentation—a project that she'd poured weeks of work into. But the thought of standing in front of the class, their expectant eyes burning into her face, made her stomach churn like a washing machine on high spin.

Images of her voice cracking, her mind going blank, the entire class erupting in laughter, flashed before her eyes. Her gaze darted around the room, seeking an escape route or a hidden corner where she could melt into invisibility before Ms. Cole, the new teacher, called.

"Jamie Nguyen, are you ready to wow us with your presentation?"

A loud snort cut through the air. "Great, is Scaredy-Cat Jamie really going to wow us today?" Marty sneered but cowered at Ms. Cole's stern look.

Shame burned through Jamie. She wasn't just "Scaredy-Cat" to Marty, the class bully; the nickname had become a chorus whispered behind her back since kindergarten.

"Jamie, take a deep breath. You've worked hard on this project."

Standing up felt like climbing Mount Everest. Her legs, shaky and uncoordinated, seemed determined to betray her. Reaching the front of the class, the room dissolved into a blur. All she could hear was the deafening roar of her own heartbeat.

"H-hello," she stammered. The carefully practiced words lodged themselves in her throat, refusing to come out. Then, her body began to tremble.

"Looks like someone's gonna throw up pretty soon," Marty snickered, eliciting laughter from his classmates.

"Marty! That's not how you treat your classmates. Shame on you," Ms. Cole scolded.

A choked sob escaped Jamie's lips. Tears welled up in her eyes, blurring the already indistinct faces before her.

The teacher rushed to her side. "It's alright. Why don't you take a seat? We can try again another day."

As Jamie sank back into her chair, defeated and humiliated, tears continued to trace a path down her cheek.

The final school bell rang through the halls, and the students ran off with their schoolbags.

With her head hung low, Jamie shuffled towards the exit, still feeling embarrassed from the failed presentation and Marty's taunts.

Just as she walked through the hallway, a gentle hand touched her arm. Looking up, she met Ms. Cole's concerned gaze. Unlike the other adults who dismissed her anxieties as shyness, she saw the raw fear that engulfed the poor girl.

"Jamie, are you alright?"

She managed a watery nod.

"I wanted to talk to you about your presentation."

She flinched, bracing herself for a round of criticism. But Ms. Cole surprised her.

"You know, you have a brilliant mind. Your project on the water cycle was truly impressive."

Surprise sparked in Jamie's tear-filled eyes. No one had ever called her brilliant before. Except her parents probably.

"But it seems like you get very nervous when you have to present in front of the class."

Jamie nodded mutely, unable to voice the fear that choked her every time she faced a crowd.

Just then a familiar figure emerged, a woman with a striking resemblance to Jamie. It was Mrs. Nguyen.

"There you are, Jamie. What took you so long?"

"Hello, Mrs. Nguyen. I'm Kathy Cole, the new head teacher." She extends a handshake.

"Nice to meet you, Ms. Cole." Mrs. Nguyen shakes her hand.

"I wanted to talk to you about Jamie's performance in class. She is a truly bright girl, but she seems to struggle, especially in classroom settings."

Mrs. Nguyen's expression softened. "It's not just presentations, Ms. Cole. Jamie has battled anxiety ever since she was little. She's very reserved and gets nervous in social situations."

"I'm sorry to hear that."

"The doctor diagnosed her with an anxiety disorder. She's been taking medication, but it doesn't always seem to help."

"Perhaps there are other avenues to explore. Have you ever considered something like yoga or meditation?"

"Yoga?"

"Yes," Ms. Cole confirmed, reaching into her pocket. "I know a wonderful yoga instructor who specializes in helping people, especially young ones, manage stress. Here's her card."

She handed the card to Mrs. Nguyen. "It might be worth a try."

"Thank you." Mrs. Nguyen glanced at Jamie. A seed of hope had been planted. Maybe, this yoga thing could be the key to unlocking a future where Jamie wouldn't be a prisoner of her own anxieties. She thought.

Present Day…

"That day was a turning point, thanks to Ms. Cole's suggestion. And ever since, yoga has been a constant companion on my journey. I became a certified yoga instructor, driven by the desire to share this gift with others who were once like me."

Her gaze swept over the room, connecting with each participant. "Many of you here tonight might be struggling with similar challenges—feeling overwhelmed, stressed, or simply out of touch with yourselves. But I want you to know this: you are not alone. And through the practice of mindfulness and yoga, you can learn to manage stress and cultivate inner peace."

The room erupted in warm applause, and she smiled, genuinely touched by the response.

"So, let's begin. We'll start with some simple breathing exercises, focusing on grounding ourselves in the present moment. Close your eyes, take a deep breath through your nose, filling your belly with air. Hold it for a count of three, and then slowly exhale, releasing any tension you might be carrying."

The session ended and the workshop participants began to filter out. Jamie, stationed near the makeshift stage, greeted each person with a warm smile and a sincere, "Thank you for coming."

A couple caught her eye. Two men, probably in their late thirties, walked towards her, their hands clasped together. The taller man, with a neatly trimmed beard and warm brown eyes, spoke first.

"Hi, I'm Danny and this is my husband, Charles. I must say, that was incredible. We haven't felt this relaxed in ages."

Jamie smiled. This were exactly the kind of feedback she lived for. "I'm so glad to hear it, gentlemen."

Danny chuckled good-naturedly. "We might just have to become regulars at your workshops."

"That would be lovely. Do you mind sharing what's been stressing you?"

"Actually, it's wedding season. We officiate a lot of ceremonies this time of year, and the joy can be a bit… overwhelming sometimes," Charles, the shorter man with a kind smile and a touch of gray at his temples, said.

Jamie nodded in understanding. "Weddings are supposed to be happy occasions but planning them can definitely take a toll."

Danny agreed, pulling a business card from his pocket. "By the way, we own a small coffee shop downtown—The Daily Grind. If you're ever in the neighborhood, come on by for a free coffee. Consider it a thank you for the amazing workshop."

She accepted the card. "Thank you, that's very kind of you."

"You mentioned you're a certified yoga instructor, right?" Charles asked.

"Yes, I am. I offer private classes and group sessions at a few studios in the city."

"Maybe that's something we should look into, honey. A little couples' yoga retreat?" He nudged Danny.

"Well," she offered, handing them a business card with a warm smile. "If you're ever interested, you know where to find me."

"Thank you again, Jamie. You've truly inspired us," Danny said, accepting the card.

"We'll definitely be in touch," Charles added.