After Class

I've started taking a 'barre' class -- the latest exercise trend, centered around excruciating work at the ballet barre. I'm old enough to be the mother of most of the students, and I've got about 20 pounds on all of them, but I try not to let any of that psyche me out.

During the most grueling exercises, the teacher suggests we close our eyes and "visualize the muscles we are carving out". Not unlike the "close your eyes and go to your happy place" advice given to potential torture victims.

In fairness, I do feel pretty stoked afterwards.

To paraphrase Dorothy Parker, I hate exercising but love having exercised.