The Style Files: Want to try out a Yoga Class? "Namaste in Bed"

'Hi I’m Gabrielle'

'I’m vegan'

'Oh my effing God! Is that a rat… in your bag?!'

'His name is Marxism. Marx for short. I found him in Brunswick. I’m a Buddhist. Do you want a vegan brownie?'

I had a brownie at a party once. It was totally indescribable; it felt like I was flying. There wasn’t any pot in it though- it was just an insanely good brownie.

'Ummm… no thanks'

It's my first lecture at university and to be honest, I don’t know if this friendship is going to work out. I don’t watch independent foreign art house silent films at the Sundance film festival. I like ‘Keeping Up with the Kardashians’- sue me. And having lunch with her at the vegan café every day? I’ll leave college a militant veganista. Anaemic and proud! In fact, why not get my hair dreadlocked while I’m there?

Marx’s owner had her hair shaved on one side, with a cool pink streak running through it, and was staring down at her pineapple socks.

'This is younger twin brother by 2 minutes. Underneath his loser façade, and the part of him that hates the world, he’s actually pretty cool'

'How is it humanly possible that you’ve become even more of a bitch since becoming a Buddhist?' he said

'I ask myself that every day'

I was staring down at my new black leather Guess flats

'I would never wear those. Did I mention I’m a vegan?'

Only 400 times

'You know what I’ve been thinking about?'

'Organic vegetables? Overthrowing the government? Greenpeace?'

'Yes actually! How did you know?'

Oh, just a wild guess.

'And I’ve got this tattoo on my wrist. It means Namaste in Hindi. You know, because I practice yoga'

Finally!

In case you ever meet someone similar to Marx’s owner, and don’t have veganism, Buddhism or independent film festivals in common, here is your guide to becoming a dedicated yogi like myself (or faking your way through an awkward conversation 101)

My first yoga class was perhaps not my most elegant memory. For starters, the instructor had one of those really annoying 'fake calm' voices that sound like a cd

'Moving into downward dog. This pose will build inner peace and relaxation'

Really? My arms are burning and all I feel is anger and frustration

'You seem tense' she said

'Yeah-I was born that way'

Even if you consider yourself more a high intensity sports person (like me!), here are 5 basic yoga moves you can master at home!