Let’s talk about Yoga.

Spoiler, it's not what you think it is.

If you’re not a Yogi or have only been dragged into a yoga class by a friend that one time and the main memory you have of it, is those being the longest 60 minutes of your life, then I have great news for you:

YOU ABSOLUTELY HAVE TO READ THIS.

I could go on and on about the history, explain how it’s been around for thousands and thousands of years, elaborate on why it is not a cult and technically also not a workout, though it does shape your body.

Much more importantly though - it shapes your mind.

And even shaping is too harsh of a word, rather it unifies!

Brings together body, mind and soul.

That is what yoga really is, its actual and true meaning.

Then somewhere along the way someone found out that you can make a fortune by selling yoga pants, so here we are.

The truth is, the physical practice is only a fraction of what yoga can be, probably not even the most significant, it’s merely a gateway to the depth we forgot we had.

So, now you may think:

Ok, so let me get this straight Mel, you’re saying that there’s a multimillion dollar industry that has thousands of people around the globe inhale and exhale in sync while moving their bodies into shapes with funny sounding names and that’s not even the “most important” part of yoga?

Yes.

That’s exactly what I am telling you.

Now, obviously asanas - the physical poses - are important.

Just like a light bulb is important to turn on the light, but that doesn’t mean that light doesn’t exist without the light bulb.

This week, I got a powerful reminder of just that.

Story time…

I went to teach my 7pm yoga class like I do every week and quickly realized, ouch, it will be a very small class. Some last minute cancellations, no shows, it happens - but that meant there was only one person in my class.

Now, for many reasons this can be seen as not ideal from both the student’s and teacher’s perspective, however, usually there is a plot twist to when this happens…

It was just me and this woman who wasn’t local to the city but here on business. She was in desperate need of a yoga class (her words) as her days have been busy and full - something so many of us can relate to.

She chose to come to my class over some other event she’d considered but was like, no, I need movement, grounding, expansion in my body.

I could feel the tension in her even before she reached for her own neck, tilting her head to the side with a slight grunt that said, everything is stiff, it feels awful, make it go away.

A quick briefing led to an improvised, customized, flowy beautiful class, just for her.

And this is what I was so beautifully reminded of (and why I love being a yoga teacher):

From the little things she shared about her life, that very day, her energy, the way she spoke -  I was inspired to sprinkle in words, movements, adjustments, be the container for what she needed.

It was not, it is never, about going through a sequence just so you can strengthen your muscles or get deeper into a stretch. It’s about what you feel and what you learn in that particular expression of your body.

The magic is in the subtleties, the thought that pops into your mind while you’re in Warrior 2 and your leg starts to shake, the little nudge from a teacher’s hand that leaves you feeling more aligned, the release you get when you get out of a pose, observing what is happening in your mind and how it does not have to win over your body…

Yeah, a rockin body is a side effect but that’s also like saying, I am going to purchase this very nice light bulb and then do absolutely nothing with it.

Imagine you had this light bulb in your house, admire its detail and beauty but have no clue it lights up?

It kind of makes me laugh but also, I mean, I don’t know about you but for a society who’s trained on maximizing on everything and making every process as efficient as possible, it also makes me sad...

The last thing I felt in such a profound way was this: the power of connection.

I’m not even going to try to find the right words for what it feels like to sink so deep into connection with your Self, nothing around you really matters because you feel so present, sharp, steady, unshakable even. Just think about what being in that state can mean for your connection to others?

The CHANGE that could ripple out all around you through a feeling of connectedness that YOU created within your own body?

Not to sound cheesy but seriously, what are we here for if not to connect with ourselves and ultimately others?

Yoga does exactly that. It’s a connector. A path to wholeness.

Something a world as scattered as the one we currently live in, desperately needs.

So, while I love teaching full classes, feeling into the collective power of our breaths, the gentle depth you can create with only one other human in the room, is magnificent.

It reminded me of why I do what I do.

I’m here to create connections, among people, deeper to myself and very importantly, support you in doing that too, ever more deeply, for yourself.

What I got as a last reminder, is how my work as a Somatic Coach and Yoga Teacher so beautifully intertwine, whether in a conversation or on the mat, it’s an intuitive flow back to Self. 🧡

To you, who has never done yoga and doesn’t understand the hype,

don’t do yoga to get abs, most certainly don’t do it for the pretty yoga pants, do it, so you can turn on the light within.

Love,

Mel

💕

Ps. All my newsletters are written by me, not AI (so please flag the typos).

😉

Pps. If you're ready to explore working together - book a discovery call HERE.