A warm welcome to author Bru Baker joining us today to talk about new release “Downward Facing Dreamboat”.
Dudes in yoga pants–need I say more?
Okay, let me back up. In terms of things that relax you and put you in a good mood, fit, flexible guys in thin shorts and leggings have to rank pretty high up there, right? And add to that the endorphin rush of a good yoga session and you’ve got a recipe for relaxation.
Unless you’ve got a barely concealed crush on the yoga instructor, who, in Kincaid’s case, you’ve been lowkey stalking for months. Then it’s a recipe for some good old-fashioned UST with a side of gentle angst.
But hey, guys in yoga pants. Am I right?
I’m Bru Baker, and thanks for joining me here on Love Bytes to talk about my latest release, Downward Facing Dreamboat.
I’ve never run a marathon but I have had the same stress fracture Kincaid gets while training for a half marathon a few years ago. Once I was able to start getting back into exercise I relied heavily on yoga to help me get my flexibility and strength back. Unlike Kincaid, though, I didn’t have a hot yoga teacher who made it difficult to focus on my breath and all the other platitudes yoga teachers like to toss out there.
I’ve always gravitated toward yoga instructors who don’t take themselves too seriously, which is why Owen owns a yoga studio called Hangin’ with my H’ohmies and sneaks coffee into his classes disguised as green tea. Yoga has a very spiritual side, but that’s never been my jam. Kincaid is super turned off by it, too, so he’s relieved when Owen turns out to be warm and funny.
Since we’re careening toward the holidays–at a breakneck pace, if your life is anything like mine–I thought it might be a good time to share some of my favorite yoga resources.
Yoga can be a great way to relieve stress–even though it causes considerable angst for Kincaid because he can’t get through tree pose without thinking about climbing Owen like one. But for the rest of us who aren’t thirsting after our yoga instructor, it can be a way to center ourselves and reclaim a little space in our heads (as well as limber up our tight muscles).
Here are a few great beginner-level yoga routines that are under 10 minutes each. You’d be surprised how much you can lower your anxiety level with just a few basic poses!
Yoga with Adrienne takes you through some standing poses that will regain your chi and get those shoulders relaxed: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qiKJRoX_2uo
Yoga with Cassandra guides you through a whole body stretch to relieve tension and start your day on the right foot: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4pKly2JojMw
And BrettLarkinYoga has an easy beginner’s flow that is optimized for stress relief: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FJgoOqEKOao
Here’s an excerpt where Kincaid gets awkwardly adorable about those yoga pants we were talking about:
“Have you done any yoga?” Owen asked.
“Once. My sister is into it, and she dragged me to a class a few years ago. All I remember is it being ridiculously hot and not understanding most of what the instructor said for the whole hour and a half,” Kincaid said.
“Sounds like Bikram. They heat the room to about 105 degrees Fahrenheit to help practitioners sweat out their toxins and loosen their muscles.”
“I felt like I was trying to sweat out my spleen.”
“So no Bikram yoga for you. Got it. Do you remember any of the positions? Were there any you particularly liked?”
“The only pose I remember was Natalie doing something on her belly with her feet arched up to almost touch her head. I didn’t even try that one. It seemed like there was a high risk of accidental castration.”
Owen barked out a laugh. “Probably purna salabhasana.”
“Bless you?”
“So you’re funny as well as handsome and athletic?” Owen teased, and Kincaid preened internally at the compliments. “In English it’s called full locust pose, but I always find the Sanskrit words more fun to say.”
Before Kincaid could respond, Owen held his hand up and shook his head. “Don’t worry. I don’t break out into Sanskrit until at least the fifth class.”
Kincaid was sure he still looked horrified, if the way Owen laughed was any indication. “Kidding. I always call out poses in English, and I’m right there modeling the pose for the class. Obviously while we’re doing the one-on-one sessions I’ll be there guiding you into position. Don’t worry. I won’t get you in over your head.”
“What do I need to wear? Do I need, uh…?” Kincaid flushed, thinking about the close-fitting shorts Owen usually wore at the studio. They weren’t quite bike shorts, but they weren’t basketball shorts either. Kincaid had spent an inordinate amount of time thinking about them, and he hoped that didn’t show on his face.
Owen followed Kincaid’s gaze down to his own close-fitting shorts. He threw back his head and laughed.
“Whatever you run in will be fine. The big thing is to make sure that things fit closer to the body. We won’t be doing many inversions, but it can be pretty annoying to have your shirt fall over your face in crow or even downward dog.”
Kincaid’s face was on fire. “Good to know.”
Owen laid a warm hand on his shoulder and squeezed it. “You’ll never be forced to wear something or do a pose that makes you uncomfortable. Yoga is supposed to be challenging but relaxing. Every class ends with a rest pose and a short meditation.”
Owen bent his elbows and brought his hands together in front of his heart. It was something that the students in the class Kincaid had taken had done at the end, and he tucked the papers under his arm and mimicked it. He felt silly, but the approving look on Owen’s face made it worth it.
“The divine light in me recognizes the divine light in you. Namaste.” Owen bowed his head until his fingertips touched his forehead, then released his hands and straightened. “It’s a blessing we exchange before we end our practice. This is where you bow and say namaste.”
Owen’s joking demeanor was gone, replaced by a solemnity that was intriguing. Kincaid wouldn’t have thought it possible for the man who’d been so fidgety and boisterous a minute ago to be so still and serious, but he was. Kincaid fought a smile and returned the bow. “Namaste.”
An instant later, Owen was grinning again. He slapped Kincaid on the back. “There you go—your first painless yoga pose.”
Kincaid heard quiet voices out in the studio and the sound of mats unrolling. Owen glanced up at a clock hanging on the wall and cursed softly.
“I have an ashtanga vinyasa class that starts in ten minutes. I’d invite you to stay and watch, but it’s an advanced class and I’m afraid it would scare you away.”
Kincaid didn’t doubt it. “It’s probably best that I don’t.”
Title: Downward Facing Dreamboat
Author: Bru Baker
Blurb:
Love is trying to catch up to two lonely men. Can they stop long enough to let it?
Running defines Kincaid’s life. It’s not until he loses it that he realizes how isolated he’s become. But even if an injury hadn’t forced him to slow down, the hottie in the yoga studio would have given him pause. In fact, admiring the man each morning is the only thing keeping the spring in his step when it feels like he’s lost everything.
Owen’s busy life as a yoga instructor doesn’t leave him much time to meet guys, let alone date. He’s convinced his passion for helping people is worth the sacrifice, but he’s willing to spare a few moments for the cutie who walks past the studio every morning.
When their lives intersect and romance is set in motion, they stumble off the starting block. But no matter the obstacles in their path, this race won’t be over until they reach the finish… together.
Buy links:
Bru Baker writes sophisticated gay romantic fiction with strong characters, real-world problems, and plenty of humor.
Bru spent fifteen years writing for newspapers before making the jump to fiction. Whether it’s creating her own characters or getting caught up in someone else’s, there’s no denying that Bru is happiest when she’s engrossed in a story. She and her husband have two children, which means a lot of her books get written from the sidelines of various sports practices.
Visit Bru online at www.bru-baker.com or follow her on Facebook, Instagram or Twitter.