"Let's start with a few stretches, shall we?" Seo-Jun's voice was calm. He clapped his hands once and nodded toward the mats spread on the floor.
Min-Cheol and I dropped down obediently. He looked almost too eager, bouncing a little on his heels, while I felt my joints creeping like they had rusted overnight.
"Jo-Pil, sit straight," Seo-Jun instructed, moving behind me, his hand pressed lightly against my back. "Your posture's collapsing already. Relax your shoulders and breathe."
I did as I was told, though every stretch felt like my body was resisting.
"Ugh… why does this hurt so much? It's just bending forward."
"Because your body's stiff," Seo-Jun replied matter-of-factly. He reached down and caught my wrists, pulling them gently until my fingertips grazed the mat while my body trembled. "You'll loosen up the more you do it. Trust me."
