strangetrip | [GP] training day

There was a trope that in prison there wasn't much to do except work out or read. As colorful as Madonna Inn might be, it was still a prison. And look, somebody had put together a library.

Put fifty some people, many of them military, adventurers, vigilantes, or superheroes of one stripe or another, in a prison with none of the urgent missions or near-death experiences they were used to, the fitness center was going to be a popular place. Maybe almost as popular as the bar.

... Probably not quite that popular.

There were free weights and weight machines, treadmills and ellipticals, yoga mats and exercise balls. A room set aside for classes, if someone decided to lead. A large square had been taped over an area of the floor off to one side as a make-shift sparring space. Sports equipment had been brought back from Bonesville for those who preferred more organized games. And those who had been stuck here longest remembered there hadn't always been a salmon ladder.

In other words, something for just about everybody. And you could usually find someone in there if you were looking for a spotter, workout buddy, sparring partner, friendly competition too.

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Normally Molly was all about training with spear or a staff, she wasn't a boxer. She wouldn't know how to throw a punch without hurting her thumb or a high kick without hurting herself. When she exercised, it was usually at the pool with the weightless water. It helped her thigh after it had healed. She also knew that she was babying it despite the magical metabolism that had healed the deep bullet wound in a year.

Rather than test the limits of her leg muscles, Molly opted for a yoga mat. She'd let the others spar and fight. She began her workout with Bharadvaja’s Twist and moved on to the Bakasana that allowed her to look around the room briefly. After a minute, Molly decided to add in a toe tap before a handstand. When she'd finished a couple of reps, Molly stretched into a Cobra pose to relax her abdomen muscles and people watch around the gym.

Jane watched her friend stretch, not sure what she was doing. "What's that?" She asked curiously since it seemed to have a purpose but not like stretching before a workout.

"Yoga." Molly got out of her pose and moved around to sit Indian style on the mat. "It builds strength, flexibility and lengthens muscles. It also makes the guys hot when they see how bendy you are." Molly winked at her friend.

Jane laughed, "I don't think you have that problem. They'll think you're hot with or without the bendy." She sat next to Molly on the mat. "Yoga doesn't sound familiar so I'll guess I didn't do it."

"I have very good hottie genes." Molly winked and then got serious. "If you want to learn yoga, I'll be happy to show you. It helps me relax sometimes, grounds me when I need to close off other's emotions."

Jane thought about her sometimes chaotic emotions and agreed. "Yeah, I'd like that. Something to help me focus, might help dig up more memories." She turned to smile, "not that I mind you in my head, but I know it's exhausting for you."

"No, it is good to focus." Molly agreed and while she liked helping Jane, she was right, it was emotionally exhausting. She stood up and motioned for Jane to join her. "One of the first beginning poses is Vrikshasana or tree pose."

Molly demonstrated the pose for Jane.

Jane watched Molly and it didn't seem that difficult. Her body only wobbled a little bit when she brought her hands up over her head. Once she got it stabilized, it actually was very relaxing.

Molly watched her friend out of the corner of her eye to see how she was doing. "Feels good doesn't it?" She lowered her leg and stood on both feet. "I like this pose, too, it's called the warrior."

Again, Molly demonstrated the pose. "It helps with stamina."

Jane's brow furrowed not quite sure how that would help with stamina but she was game to try it. So far, she liked yoga.

When she got into the position she had one question for Molly, "why the hell is this called warrior? You couldn't fight from this position."

Molly couldn't hold the position as she laughed. "Yeah, no clue why warrior. My guess is that the word actually got lost in the translation. Good point though, I should look up what Virabhadrasana actually means."

"I guess you could come around and use your leg to kick out, but it would be awkward." Jane tried to be helpful. "This might not be a warrior-like pose, but my muscles feel good. They also feel slightly tired holding the pose and I'm definitely going to take a warm bath after this."

"Yeah I should warn you, you're going to feel this tomorrow. The first time I did yoga, it's deceptively hard. My leg muscles screamed the next day." Molly shifted her stance and went straight into Warrior three.

"This requires a hell of a lot of concentration and balance."

Jane wobbled as she tried to hold that pose, but her muscles screamed, and she lowered her leg until she was standing watching Molly. "Looks like I'm not quite warrior enough for that one."

Molly snickered, "you're a lot more warrior than me. It just takes practice. A lot of practice." She straightened up and stretched her spine. "Feel like heading over to the spa?" That was a luxury that she rarely indulged in.

"Not that I had as much of a workout as you did, but yeah I'd like that." Jane found the heat of the steam room relaxing.

"Please, you have more of a workout every day than me and I wouldn't turn down a steam room on those days." Molly grinned and reached for a towel. "Come on. I'll even spring for wine when we're done."

Jane laughed and bent down to roll up the yoga mat to hand to her friend. "So generous. It's one of the things I like about you." She was teasing, and it was nice to have this easy friendship with someone.

[GP] training day

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