La Primera Clase de Yoga
(The First Yoga Class)
Pablo Ruiz era un hombre que nunca hacia ejercicio.
Pablo Ruiz was a man who never exercised.
Pasaba los fines de semana en el sofa viendo series y comiendo patatas fritas.
He spent his weekends on the sofa watching series and eating crisps.
Sin embargo, un día su médico le dijo algo que le preocupo: Quiero que empiece a moverse mas, Pablo.
However, one day his doctor told him something that worried him: I want you to start moving more, Pablo.
Es importante que haga algun tipo de actividad fisica.
It is important that you do some type of physical activity.
Pablo penso que el yoga seria perfecto porque parecia tranquilo y fácil.
Pablo thought that yoga would be perfect because it seemed calm and easy.
El lunes siguiente, Pablo llego a la clase de yoga con unos pantalones viejos de futbol y una camiseta que le quedaba demasiado pequeña.
The following Monday, Pablo arrived at the yoga class wearing old football shorts and a t-shirt that was too small for him.
La profesora, una mujer muy flexible que se llamaba Rocio, le dio la bienvenida con una sonrisa enorme.
The teacher, a very flexible woman called Rocio, welcomed him with an enormous smile.
En primer lugar, vamos a respirar profundamente, dijo Rocio.
First of all, we are going to breathe deeply, said Rocio.
Pablo respiro tan fuerte que el hombre de al lado le miro asustado.
Pablo breathed so hard that the man next to him looked at him in alarm.
Después llegaron las posturas.
Then came the poses.
Rocio pedia que todos levantaran una pierna y mantuvieran el equilibrio.
Rocio asked everyone to lift one leg and keep their balance.
Pablo se cayo tres veces.
Pablo fell over three times.
La tercera vez, cayo encima de la esterilla de una señora que se llamaba Doña Amparo.
The third time, he fell on top of the mat belonging to a lady called Dona Amparo.
Ella le miro con una expresión que podria congelar el sol.
She looked at him with an expression that could freeze the sun.
Joven, esto es una clase de yoga, no de lucha libre, le dijo.
Young man, this is a yoga class, not a wrestling class, she told him.
Todos los alumnos intentaron no reirse, pero fue imposible.
All the students tried not to laugh, but it was impossible.
Sin embargo, lo peor llego al final de la clase.
However, the worst part came at the end of the class.
Rocio pidio que se tumbaran en el suelo para la relajacion.
Rocio asked them to lie down on the floor for the relaxation.
Pablo cerro los ojos y se relajo tanto que empezo a roncar.
Pablo closed his eyes and relaxed so much that he started to snore.
El sonido era tan fuerte que Rocio tuvo que acercarse y tocarle el hombro.
The sound was so loud that Rocio had to come over and touch his shoulder.
Pablo, esto es meditacion, no siesta, le susurro.
Pablo, this is meditation, not a nap, she whispered to him.
Pablo abrio los ojos, completamente rojo, y vio que toda la clase le estaba mirando.
Pablo opened his eyes, completely red, and saw that the whole class was looking at him.
A pesar de todo, Pablo volvio la semana siguiente.
Despite everything, Pablo came back the following week.
Y la siguiente.
And the one after that.
Doña Amparo, que al principio parecia tan seria, empezo a guardarle un sitio junto a ella.
Dona Amparo, who at first seemed so serious, started saving him a spot next to her.
Es mejor que practique cerca de mi, le dijo.
It is better that you practise near me, she told him.
Así puedo vigilarle.
That way I can keep an eye on you.
Por lo tanto, cada martes Pablo iba a yoga, se caia un poco menos y roncaba un poco menos también.
Therefore, every Tuesday Pablo went to yoga, fell over a little less and snored a little less too.
Meses después, su médico le pregunto como se sentia.
Months later, his doctor asked him how he felt.
Pablo sonrio y contesto: Mejor que nunca, doctor.
Pablo smiled and answered: Better than ever, doctor.
Y además, tengo una amiga nueva que se llama Doña Amparo y que todavía me da miedo.
And besides, I have a new friend called Dona Amparo who still scares me.
Key Vocabulary
hacer ejercicio to exercise (lit. to do exercise)
la esterilla the mat (yoga/exercise mat)
el equilibrio the balance
roncar to snore
la relajacion the relaxation
vigilar to watch over, to keep an eye on
a pesar de despite, in spite of
dar miedo to scare (lit. to give fear)