When I first stepped onto the mat, my motivation was simple: I wanted to create beautiful shapes, build strength, and find the flexibility to ease the pain of an unstable body—a body I later learned was dealing with undiagnosed hypermobility. Like many others, my gateway into yoga was through the physical act of performing asana. It felt empowering to see my body evolve and achieve poses that once seemed impossible.
As my practice deepened, so did my curiosity about what made yoga more than just a physical exercise. I began to crave something beyond the physical—a sense of connection and purpose. This shift happened subtly, like an unspoken invitation to explore the quieter, more profound aspects of yoga.
I noticed a distinct difference in how I approached flexibility training and my yoga practice. In flexibility-focused classes, I love pushing boundaries, using props like blocks, straps, and bolsters to guide my journey into deeper ranges of motion. There’s a thrill in testing my limits, in seeing how far my body can go.
But yoga... yoga feels different. It’s less about performance and more about presence. My practice is no longer assessed by how deep I can fold or how gracefully I can balance. Instead, it’s about how aware I can be of sensation, how steadily I can keep my concentration, and how mindful I am of my breath.
In The Yoga Sutras of Patanjali, there’s a line that resonates deeply:
"Sthira sukham asanam" (2.46) “The posture should be steady and comfortable.”
This reminds me that yoga isn’t about chasing flexibility or achieving the ‘perfect’ shape; it’s about cultivating ease and stability within the pose—and within ourselves.
Another sutra I often reflect on is:
"Prayatna shaithilya ananta samapattibhyam" (2.47) “By loosening effort and meditating on the infinite, the posture is perfected.”
This sutra beautifully captures the essence of surrender. When I let go of striving and focus instead on being fully present, I find a deeper connection—not just to the pose but to myself.
Flexibility classes hold a special place in my heart. They complement my yoga practice, offering a space to explore and expand my physical boundaries. But my yoga practice? That’s where I find my center, where I breathe through the layers of effort and ambition to discover something more enduring.
It’s no longer about how far I can go—it’s about how fully I can show up. With time, I’ve come to embrace the understanding that our body, mind, and approach will inevitably evolve from one day to the next, from month to month, and year to year. Cultivating the grace to recognize and honor our limits, respect the body’s unique needs, and speak to ourselves with kindness are some of the most profound gifts that come with the commitment to a daily yoga practice. These qualities transform the practice into a lifelong journey of growth and self-compassion.
This reflection also inspired my Keep Practicing Unisex Tee—a reminder that progress is never a straight line. It’s a journey of persistence, where each practice offers something new to discover about yourself. Every session is an opportunity to release stagnant energy, confront negative self-talk, and move closer to your authentic self.
I hope this blog post resonates with you and sparks reflection on your own journey. What have you found most inspiring or surprising about your practice? I’d love to hear your thoughts! As always, feel free to comment, share, like, and subscribe to keep the conversation going. Let’s continue this journey together.