Like a good novel...

My favorite yoga classes I take as a student have much in common with a good novel.

For starters, they have a clear beginning, middle and end.

There is also an evident arc in the story in the form of an apex pose, coupled with lots of good foreshadowing leading up to that pose. The best is when I have a sense of what type of pose the apex might be, but can't peg it exactly. So, there is an element of delight and surprise.

Also, like a novel, the tone of the class is set right from the get-go—whether it be through a reading, music, lighting, the first few opening poses or a combination of these components.

Finally, like any good read, upon completion, the class leaves me with that odd combination of satisfaction and desire for it to never end!