I was recently certified in the teaching of Yin Yoga. I conducted my first class on today and the perfect candidate for the class showed up. The student had a variety of health concerns. He was uneasy about trying this new class but at the end was smiling and seemed more energetic. This new found practice has refreshed my teaching style and my love of teaching.

I watched as students unraveled their stresses into their mats and melted away into the floor. I watched their frowns turn into completely stress-free expressions. I shared in their joy and also practiced along with them. I could feel my body opening up as well. I could feel my relentless gratitude shining from my face.

I didn’t have pillows so we only used blocks for props. Props are looked down upon by the classical style of yoga because they try to go back to the roots of yoga as much as possible. Back then, there were no props, pillows or straps to use only the nature around these yogis and their own bodies. Who’s to say that they didn’t use a tree prop their leg up onto or rocks to hold their legs in position?

Regardless, I have another tool under my belt to take back to the US with me. I feel as though door-after-door is opening up for me to walk through. Some of my old thinking has been replaced with strength and confidence and, at the same time, some of the old ways of thinking still exist. I have worked so hard and realized that I was working to be this perfect human being so that my ego can sing. It’s not that kind of life anymore.

My aim is to empower people. I am content where I am so helping just one person realize that they are enough, saving one soul from desperation or lifting one person from a shell of nothingness into a person of strength and power just by sharing my experience. Many in the coaching world have it wrong and are very successful. They lift people up with the sole intention of filling their pockets first. The approach is not sustainable because their pocket will fill up but empty just as fast.