Balance of Mind and a Steady Spirit

[Shadowkat]

Eyes closed, back straight, Kitty say with Alex in the silence of the Memorial Garden, the two having just spent an hour out there meditating in the serenity the environment offered. The antics and events at dinner had both of them riding high, and Kitty knew she was no help to him if she was as hyper as he was about everything that happened. She was excited for a new teammate, though curious as to why Logan would miss her ceremony of all things. She thought he liked Ember enough to show up, but after years of knowing Wolverine, she knew it was better to not ask and just accept. Instead Kitty focused on her second lesson with Alex, which started with the two of them clearing their minds and getting themselves centered in the Memorial Garden.

She didn't often meditate, actually is she was honest with herself, Kitty never really meditated at all. She would sit there in silence and let all the thoughts pass through her until she could find ones that calmed her to settle her body. In this case, she remembered the first dance recital she had since coming to Xavier's with Storm and Nightcrawler sitting in the front row with a big bouquet of Tulips for her at the end of her recital. It was one of her favorite memories that always put her in a good state of mind.

Letting out one last deep breath, she looked over at Alex and her voice broke through the serene atmosphere of the Gardens. "Take a couple of more deep breaths, and then open your eyes," she said softly and watched the young man do just that. Kitty stood up carefully and walked over to the bag she brought outside with her. Opening it up, she took out a couple of porcelain bowls and a jug of water. "Okay Alex, you need to find your balance today. Yesterday we worked on basic balance that you managed quite well. Today we're going for something a little more difficult."

Kitty smiled at him and poured the water into the bowls. "Okay first I want you to start with a deep squat for a minute, arms out in front of you with palms up. Hold it for as long as you can, than take a one minute break just to get used to it. The next time you go down, you're going to keep it steady, as I will be placing the bowls of water on each of your arms and one on your head. What you need to do is not spill or drop the bowls. Don't worry if you do though, it's cheap porcelain." She winked at him and smiled encouragingly. "Let's see what you got. And.... GO!"

[Chupacabra]

He had been trying to do as Miss Kitty had said and clear his mind, but there were so many questions he had about himself. His past, the girl from his dream, that vision that still to this day haunted him, was all he had as a clue to who he might have been, before. Right at this moment though he knew it would do him no good to cling to doubts and questions, and yet it was all he had, all he was really.

A giant question mark was what he saw in the mirror, he didn't even really know for sure his name was Alejandro, it was just the name on the ID he had awoke with so he rolled with it. For now he counted himself lucky to have the New Mutants as his team. The feeling of family from being one of them, even if he was the black sheep of the family, was something he wouldn't trade for the world.

So he had been doing and accepting all that was given to him, his name, his team, and his leader's trust all given to him and he would not leave them wanting- even as he wanted for himself things that could not be given. He wanted a past. He wanted compassion and understanding from his peers. Most of all he wanted a future, and so here and now he got down in the horse stance squat that he had held for far too long the day before and prayed he got it right this time. Another day's worth of standing and being poked and positioned was not what he wanted. His muscles should remember what they were supposed to do. At least he hoped. Hoped for his future as a minute felt like eternity.

[Shadowkat]

Waiting until he was in proper format, Kitty carefully placed the bowls of water on his head to start, stepping back and watched as the bowl shifted from side to side but still stayed balanced. "You need to get your mind centered Alex. You're posture isn't relaxed or fluid, and it shows. That's the key to getting a grip on your anger or your feelings in general. If you're mind is centered and clear, you're more likely to stop your emotions from totally taking over your mind. So now in this position..." She used a long stick to correct his stance gently to keep him on form, moving his arms in the correct position and lighting tapping his back for him to straighten it.

"Just breathe... clear your mind of all thoughts and worries. Out here it's just you and me, you don't have to worry about the team, or about your life, or any of your problems. Out here just focus on you," Kitty said softly walking around him and using the stick to bring his posture back to par when he let it go slack. "Hold on to my voice, let it be the only thing that echoes in your mind as you feel the calm settle." She watched him carefully until she saw some kind of a grip on the stance come over him.

"Stand up straight, but keep the bowl balanced on your head and spread your arms straight out to the sides," Kitty said and went back over to the bowls, stacking more out and pouring water in them. "You're going to make two laps around the garden walking quickly and lightly. You will have to keep the bowls from dropping, and if you drop them the count on laps goes back to one. For every set you complete, I will keep adding bowls." Kitty put one on each arm in addition to that on his head. "Remember, just breathe, keep your mind centered and don't stray from it.

[Chupacabra]

Looking around the garden slowly, the bowl on his head wobbling at just the slow turning movement and spilling some on him. "Uhmm, I am getting wet, and I am thinking that this will be not so easy." He said trying to hold still again but knowing he couldn't remain still forever. The garden wasn't very very big, but for a garden it was pretty expansive and for him to walk around and through the meandering foliage path that flowed in and around in a lazy beautiful way he knew it would be a task he would spend much time trying to do without a drop of water falling.

"I am already shaking." he said starting out on the path in his most determined way. His arms and hands with the water bowls were feeling the weight and he knew it was only going to get worse.

Again and again he tried and again and again he failed. At first making it only a step or two before the bowls flipped off his body dousing him in water. His sensai, knowing it would be a long process patiently refilled the bowls and every time he would start with the same determination. He was willing to do what she asked of him. He trusted her and he thought he understood what his team leader was trying to do.

He kept his mind on her voice and the in the moment, every time he felt it drifting he focused harder. Trying to feel the earth beneath his feet was helpful and he was making progress, he had made it all the way around one time when he let himself look for Kitty to see if she was pleased. "Ahh! I spilled again!" he cried out as glancing up for praise only cost him all he had accomplished. "I fear it will be forever that I will walk this garden path. What is it that I am doing so wrong?"

The dull ache in his limbs was only overshadowed by his regret at having failed himself and his Master. "I am sorry Miss Kitty, uh- my Master," he bowed not knowing if he should but feeling it was the only thing to do "I am fearful I cannot ever do this. Is there a secret to it? I have kept my mind clear, focused on the moment before me and your voice, but I am not all that much better than when I first began. I am sorry to fail, but I am hurting some."

[Shadowkat]

Kitty continued refilling the bowl and looked up at Alex, not feeling at all impatient or angry. "It's not just about your mind being centered, it's about the concentration on your mental and physical energy that makes all the difference." She straightened him up and carefully put his arms in the right position. "You have months of hard work that will condition your body and mind before you're ready to participate in the practice of Kung Fu. I know you could do it," Kitty said smiling at him encouragingly.

"You're mind being centered should bring on awareness. Feel every breath you take, feel how your feet feel when they step into the ground. Be aware of how the bowls balance on your head and muscles. Awareness is the key to control, which is in fact the key to the first steps of this exercise." She set him up again and stood back. "Now close your eyes, take in the serenity of the environment. Hear the crickets singing, the birds cooing, the wind rustling through the trees.. be aware of your environment and then concentrate on your body before you take your first steps."

Kitty stood to the side and watched him begin the task. She didn't remember what it was like when she started, her body just knew what to do because of the possession, but she knew the constant conditioning could be very hard. Thankfully life taught her the patience she needed to help someone else as well.