School was let out early one Friday. Everyone was very happy. All except Sunset Shimmer, who left with tears in her eyes. She went to her favorite coffee place. As she was trying to relax, sipping her drink, her friends arrive to try to cheer her up.
“Howdy, Sunset.” Applejack greeted. “We figured you’d be here.”
“We were worried about you when we saw you getting upset.” Twilight added. “What’s wrong?”
Sunset looked at her friends with a sad look. “Well, guys. I had a rough day today.”
“Let me guess.” Rainbow Dash interjected. “Lightning Dust again. Right?”
“Yeah.” Sunset was soon quivering with fear. “That reckless girl was giving me a hard time. She told me that the teachers, the other students, and even Principal Celestia think I’m still a troublemaker.”
“You poor dear.” Rarity calmly said, cuddling the poor lass. “Reminders of the bad past can upset anybody.”
Fluttershy agreed. “It makes me sad seeing you brought down like this.”
Soon, a familiar person came in. It was Wallflower Blush. And, she came to the table to help Sunset out.
“Wallflower.” Sunset yelped. “This is an unexpected surprise.”
“I heard what happened to you, Sunset.” Wallflower replied. “And, I think I know what can help you out.”
“You do?” Sunset asked, wiping tears from her eyes. “What’s you’re idea?”
Wallflower answered her with one word. “Yoga.”
“Yoga?” Dash wondered. “Is that the series of exercises that are supposed to help people be more calm?”
“And, be more flexible?” Pinkie Pie added.
“That’s right.” Wallflower answered. “I practice yoga every morning when I wake up. Maybe you can join me, Sunset.”
Sunset thought about it. Then, gave Wallflower her answer. “Okay, Wallflower Blush. I’ll try it.”
Wallflower wrote down an address on a piece of paper, and gave it to Sunset.
“Meet me at this address at 7am tomorrow morning.” Wallflower informed. “Bye.”
As Wallflower Blush left, Twilight Sparkle spoke up. “I think she has an idea. Doing yoga exercises might help you feel better.”
“I think you’re right, Twi.” Sunset responded. “This could be the start of something new.”
Rarity made a suggestion. “First, darling. We need to get you exercise clothes and a yoga mat. Let’s go shopping!”
Rarity took Sunset to an sporting goods store. There, Sunset tried on a pair of red capri style exercise pants. Sunset likes the look of them. “Nice. Especially the yellow stripe going down on each side.”
Sunset then got back together with Rarity.
“These pants fit me nicely.” Sunset chirped.
“That’s good to hear.” Rarity replied. “And, I found a shirt you might like too.”
Rarity held up a blue long sleeve shirt with a yellow sun design. Sunset looked at the tag. It was the right size.
“This is great, Rarity.” Sunset said happily. “There’s even an OM symbol in the center of this sun.”
“I’m glad you like it, darling.” Rarity stated. “Now, we just need to get you a basic yoga mat. Then, you’re ready.”
“I appreciate this. Thank you.”
The next morning, Sunset slipped on her yoga outfit. After putting on her sneakers and packing up her mat, she made her way to town. She stopped in front of a beautiful large house. She looks at the paper Wallflower gave her. “429 Starbeam Avenue. This is it.”
Sunset knocked on the door. Answering the door was Wallflower Blush. She was wearing a magenta shirt and blue cotton shorts.
“Sunset.” Wallflower squealed. “You’re here!”
“Of course I’m here.” Sunset replied. “I wouldn’t let you down.”
“Then, come in and follow me.”
Wallflower lead Sunset through the house. She was amazed of how beautiful it was. Then, the two girls went downstairs into the basement. It was made up to look like a yoga studio.
Extra mats, candles on tables, and a poster of the seven chakras on the wall.
“I feel relaxed just being here.” Sunset told Wallflower.
Then, a charming, deep female voice was heard. “Glad you think so, Sunset Shimmer.”
Sunset turned around, and saw a proud looking lady with deep teal hair. She wore a blue tank top and black tights. Sunset recognized the woman. “Wow! You’re Lotus Blossom. A yoga instructor in Canterlot City.”
“That’s correct.” The yoga instructor answered. “Wallflower Blush told me about you. And, the problem you’ve been having.”
“And, you can help me?”
“I sure can. Set up your mat and we can begin.”
Sunset unrolled her mat, took off her sneakers, and got on her mat. She and Wallflower faced Lotus Blossom.
“If you’re ready, girls,” Lotus said, “then let’s begin.”
They started by doing a sun salutation sequence. Sunset followed Lotus Blossom’s directions carefully. They soon moved slowly through many poses. While doing Downward Facing Dog, Sunset saw things through a different point of view. She was amazed.
Sunset felt like a bold fighter while doing Warrior 2. Had a sense of balance doing Tabletop pose, extending her right arm and left leg. Then, the other way around. Sunset saw Wallflower positioning herself into Tree pose. She then heard Lotus talking to her calmly. “Sunset, you don’t have to go all the way in Tree Pose. Go halfway if you wish. Remember, respect your body’s limits.”
Sunset took Lotus Blossom’s advice. She was right. It does feel better. After class, Lotus praised them both. “I’m proud of both of you. Thank you for your time. Namaste.”
After Sunset and Wallflower bowed to their teacher, they prepared to leave. The yoga teacher then turned to Sunset. “Sunset, may I talk to you for a minute?”
Sunset joined Lotus in the living room.
“Thank you for joining me and Wallflower this morning.” Lotus praised.
“You’re welcome, miss Blossom.” Sunset replied. “I’m just glad Wallflower asked me to try yoga. I feel much better.”
“I’d like you to join me for something else. Can you meet me in the woods near here by 2 o’ clock?”
“I don’t have anything else to do. So, why not?”
“Good. Wear that outfit and bring your mat with you.”
Later that day, Sunset returned to Lotus Blossom’s house. She sees the woods near the house and went in. Sunset was fascinated with this area. Tall trees, birds flying by, sounds of small rivers calmed her as she carries her mat.
“This place is amazing.” Sunset thought out loud. “So quiet, so peaceful, no wonder Lotus wants to meet me here.”
In a clearing, she spots Lotus Blossom on her mat as she calls to her. “Sunset Shimmer. Over here!”
Sunset makes her way to Lotus. She unrolls her mat, takes off her sneakers, and sits cross legged on her mat.
“So, what can I do for you?” Sunset asked.
“I figured you might like to join me for a little meditation, my friend.” Lotus replied.
“Meditation? Is that what some people do after yoga?”
“Correct. This beautiful wooded area is a good place for meditation.”
Looking around, Sunset understands the reason. “With the sounds of birds, rivers, frogs, and other sounds, these woods provides it’s own soundtrack.”
“Yes.” Lotus answered. “Now, you’re catching on.”
Just then, a hippie type girl wearing a pink tank top and black pants arrives carrying a light teal mat. Sunset recognizes the girl. “Tree Hugger? What are you doing here?”
“Hey, girl. It’s all good.” Tree Hugger answered. “These woods and totally groovy.”
“Tree Hugger joins me sometimes.” Lotus explains as Tree Hugger unrolls her mat.
“Does she practice yoga too?” Sunset asked.
“Of course. How do you think she obtains her calm attitude.”
“For sure.” Tree Hugger added.
“I can see why Fluttershy likes hanging out with you.” Sunset said.
With the sounds of nature, the three ladies sit quietly with their eyes closed and enjoy the peace of the woods. Later, back at her apartment, Sunset sits cross legged in the dark. An LED color changing candle provides enough light for her to relax. Suddenly, the sound of chimes helps Sunset open her eyes slowly.
She looks at her smartphone, which is set to a timer app. “Nice. Seven minutes. And, I didn’t flinch once. Next time, I’ll go for eight.”
Since she was already in her pajamas, Sunset just climbed into her bed, plug the charger on her phone, and prepare to sleep.
“Doing yoga is a good idea.” Sunset thought quietly. “I’m feeling much better. I should thank Wallflower Blush for this.”
Sunset soon closed her eyes, and fell asleep. The next day, Sunset met her friends in her favorite coffee place.
“How are you feeling, Sunset?” Twilight Sparkle asked.
“I feel pretty good.” Sunset answered. “Doing yoga IS a good idea.”
“Wallflower Blush must’ve known what she was talking about when she suggested it.” Rarity figured.
“You bet. Lotus Blossom invited me to go to her yoga studio every Saturday morning at 9am. I can learn new positions and get good advice on how to improve my practice.”
“Sounds great.” Fluttershy praised. “Now, you won’t have any more troubles getting in your way.”
Soon, a short white haired girl wearing a yellow shirt and blue overall shorts came in. Pinkie Pie recognizes her. “Limestone? What brings you here?”
The eldest of the Pie sisters gave a rough response. “I’m getting a lot of gruff from dad, sis. He thinks I don’t do enough work on the rock farm.
“What?” Pinkie yelped. “You’re the hardest worker of our family. Even I respect that.”
“Thanks, Pinkie. Despite our differences, you always did respect me and my work ethics.”
Sunset walked up to the grunted Pie sister. “Hey, Limestone. Have you thought about doing yoga?”
“No.” Limestone answered. ”But, I have heard of it. Could yoga help me?”
“It sure can. It helped me. So, yoga can help you. And, I know a good yoga teacher that can guide you.”
THE END