The Exercise Class

Grandma Stella recounts a humorous misunderstanding at a senior exercise class, where a haughty woman is initially mistaken for the instructor, much to the dismay of the attendees.

The library announced a six-month course of exercise classes for senior citizens. They were to be held each Saturday morning. The exercises were to be done sitting on chairs. Since I have balance issues, I eagerly signed up for them. As I approached the library, I saw a group of ladies of the same age as I, waiting. We signed in and entered the room chatting happily and getting acquainted. I chose a seat on the second row. I noticed a young woman arranging herself in the row in front of me. She must have been in her thirties. She looked about her coldly as if butter wouldn melt in her mouth. Before her, against the wall, was a single chair facing the class. She walked towards it and placed her bag underneath the seat. I assumed she was the instructor. She then walked back to the chair in the front row. She began to twist her wrist round and round, then her arms, and then her neck. She was tall, very well built. She wore a cold, disdainful look upon her face. She did not smile nor acknowledge all the women in the room. She seemed haughty and aloof. By now everyone was observing her coldly and curiously. She took off her parka. She made a show of smoothing and folding it. She stuck her bottom in the air as she did so. She began gyrating her body. When she was done, she once more walked to the instructor s chair and placed the parka on top of the bag. She then sat on the chair, folded her arms tightly about her, and stared into space, still not acknowledging anyone. You could taste the sense of dislike that emanated from the group of older ladies. I know I was thinking that if she was the instructor, I would not be coming again. She sent out such negative vibrations! There was a stir at the entrance of the room. A smiling middle-aged man walked in. Good morning, ladies. I am your instructor. For the next hour we are going to have fun while exercising. He stopped in front of his chair. She unabashedly got up and sauntered back to her original seat. Please remove your belongings from here, he said. You could feel the sigh of relief throughout the room. Despite her trying to seek further attention, she was now totally ignored. And yes, we did have fun!