This morning, I had a deeply nourishing yoga practice. One which could’ve gone in a completely different direction.
I arrived at the studio to find a student teacher leading class. And yes, I can be a yoga teacher snob.
I unrolled my mat, settled in, closed my eyes, and turned inward. Even though I’m an introvert, yoga is one of the few things I love doing in community. For me, yoga is sweaty, stretchy meditation.
Just as I began to deepen into meditation, the teacher gently asked me to move my mat forward. Two minutes later—Actually, could you scoot to the right?
The room was only half full. So yes, I had opinions. Was I already deciding that this wasn’t the class for me? That I wouldn’t be back to her class? Yep.
By the second round of sun salutations, she had offered four physical assists.
Now, you may not know this, but I used to train yoga teachers. So as you can imagine, my mind was swirling with opinions.
Then I remembered I had a choice – a choice to adjust my lens of perception.
I could keep focusing on what was happening around me—the interruptions, the adjustments—or I could focus on my inner landscape. I could let my energy get drained… or I could choose to have a beautiful practice that would fill my cup for the rest of the day.
I had made time to get to class, knowing I had six and a half hours of Zoom teaching ahead. I knew this practice would help me show up more present and grounded—for myself and for others.
So in that moment, I chose to shift my lens.
I reminded myself: my environment, and the people in it, respond to my frequency.
I disentangled my energy from the teacher’s and came back to center. Because even sweaty, physical yoga is an inward practice.
And just like that—my irritation dissolved.
My body softened and flowed. My breath deepened. My system reset. And guess what? The teacher didn’t say another word to me for the rest of class.
Then, as I was putting on my coat to leave, she came up to me.
I realized I was putting too much attention on you, she said. But then something shifted—I felt my awareness expand, my nervousness dropped, and I felt really present for the whole class. I’m sorry if I interrupted your practice.
I smiled. All is well. Thank you for class.
As I walked to my car, I reflected on this truth:
When we take full responsibility for our inner state, everything changes.
Energy flows.
People respond.
And everyone wins.
Love + Magic,
Amber