I have a special friend who just happens to have a knack for effortlessly putting her thoughts into words.

For me, someone who has made a career out of writing, her ability is something I envy and admire.

I thought I’d share some of her work in my writing space this week.

She wrote this in the space of 15 minutes after our discussion about yoga – and my aversion to sitting still and breathing deeply for anything more than 60 seconds.

I’m still on the fence about 6am yoga classes, but I introduce you to Lauren.

It’s 5.30am, your phone says its 9 degrees but it feels more like -90, your bed suddenly feels like its made of clouds and you can swear your phone has lied and the time is wrong. But no, sure enough its time to get up for yoga.

As your feet hit the floor you begin the list of reasons why a 6am yoga class in winter has to be the worst idea you have ever had. But the late cancellation fee stops you from cancelling (because let’s be honest, you know that $15 could go towards your coffee fund this week, so you better not).

The drive to your morning class always seems to go so quick, yet not quick enough as the heater in your car takes twice the journey to warm up. So you spend the time clutching for dear life onto your morning coffee in attempt to stay warm and avoid the blasts of cold air coming from your air vents.

The dark sky looming over the brightly lit yoga studio brings with it a wave of peace over you as you step inside and a warm smile greets you, oh heater what a beautiful smile you have. Oh and the instructor is lovely and welcoming to of course.

You take your shoes off and find your mat, feeling the connection between you and the ground as you sit cross legged wondering what positions you will become stuck in today. The instructor floats in and tells you to close your eyes and focus on your breathing. You begin to follow her voice and focus on the connection between your breathe; body and mind.

You feel your body begin to move as the class begins and notice your mind wandering off to your 10 o’clock meeting without you. But just as quickly as it  begins running your agenda through your mind, the angelic voice of your instructor ‘‘inhale, make some space and exhale’’ brings you back to the present and reminds you to breathe (always a positive). You end your practice with the all beloved and ‘‘should be compulsory hourly at work’’ shavassana, (essentially lying on your back trying to not fall asleep and snore) and notice how calm and centred you now feel.

You wonder; maybe these classes are worth skipping the extra hour of snoozing your alarm. Or maybe you’re just crazy.