It was about 11:40 A.M. on July 29, 2008. The students of the Gentle/Therapeutic class were resting on their backs in the final relaxation pose, called shavasana, the Corpse Pose. In this pose, the body surrenders and relaxes completely while the breath and mind stay alert and engaged. As the teacher I led a focus for the relaxation the breath. We had spent the previous hour with attention to the rib cage and mid-back in various gentle asanas (poses).

I sat on my mat, speaking softly, when I felt a gentle movement of the floor. Could it be a delivery truck? In several seconds the movement became a rolling and I knew another earthquake had shifted the plates and faults of Mother Earth.

In a calm voice I said, “Earthquake. Focus on your breath and remain calm and tranquil.” Needless to say, the energy in the room changed as the sensations of the rolling earth came into everyone’s consciousness. Most of the students stayed lying on the floor. Several sat up. One sprung up in alarm.

The rolling ceased and there was a little more shaking. Everyone found their seat again. Again I reminded the students to stay focused on the breath. As we calmed, I suggested we bring palms together in anjali mudra, the prayer position. We offered up gratitude that we hadn’t been hurt, the studio was intact and we had a great story to tell about the meeting of Earthquake and Shavasana.