From Achievement to Alignment

Over the past two decades, my yoga journey has undergone a transformation, shifting in ways I never could have anticipated. What started as an individualistic and, quite honestly, superficial quest to get fit and make myself more attractive through headstands and perfect poses has turned into a practice that is both for the betterment of myself and the community at large.

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In my early 20s, my bestie and I stumbled upon Bikram Yoga, a 90-minute class that is practiced in a 40°C heated room with the same 26 poses. After each class, we wore our sweat soaked bodies as a badge of honour. After all, we just completed an amazing workout that would help us achieve our goal of getting sexier bodies (hindsight we already had sexy bodies).

No matter which Los Angeles studio you practiced Bikram in, each room was completely mirrored. The instructors told us it was to see your “third eye” and make sure your body was aligned in the poses. For me, it was an invitation to compare myself to others and envy the way others could hold their foot so high and steady in Dandayamana Dhanuraiana (Standing Bow Pulling Pose) or the unwavering balance others had in Tuladandasana (Balancing Stick Pose). If I'm being completely honest, attending these classes contributed to my toxic perfectionism.

I tried other yoga classes when I couldn’t make it to a Bikram class. Each time, I found myself deeply disappointed that I did not leave drenched in sweat nor having pushed myself beyond my physical limits. I found other yoga classes to be too slow and quite boring at the time.

My young 20-something friends shared the same feelings about Iyengar or Vinyasa classes; they were a waste of time because they weren't challenging enough. Bikram was definitely where it was at for us young, fit professionals looking for an exercise class to help us achieve our goals of perfectly chiseled beach bodies and possible ascension to a higher spiritual plain.

What I didn't know at the time, that I now relish in, is that the challenge is in these slower types of yoga classes. The difficulty and beauty of yoga lies in the ability to quiet the mind and focus on the breath. Advanced yoga is about being able to concentrate and focus, it’s not about being able to do backbends or how strong your handstand is.

Lessons From My 20 Year Yoga Journey.

Now, almost 20 years later, and a back injury that forced me to stop attending classes with extremely physically challenging postures like Bikram, I have found true serenity in slow yoga. I am turning inward and finally understanding what yoga is all about. Yoga is now my safe space where I go to decompress and feel the lusciousness of slowing down.

Yoga is not supposed to be just a physical exercise that will help you obtain a sexier physique, it is about being able to sit with yourself and as one of my favorite yoga teachers, Dharma Shakti, says: “Take a journey from the busy streets of our minds to the quiet forest of our hearts.”

In my 40s, I’ve come to understand that yoga is about more than just physical exercise—it’s about creating space within my body, mind, and spirit to feel my best so that I can show up and do my best. It’s a practice of deep connection, not only to my breath and body but also to my highest self, allowing me to move through life with greater clarity, intention, and purpose. Through yoga, I work to cultivate the awareness and alignment needed to navigate challenges, embrace growth, and contribute meaningfully to the world around me.

What once was an egocentric and one-dimensional practice, driven by my goals of achievement and obtaining a flawless physique, has blossomed into something far more profound. Yoga has become a deeply spiritual practice, one that extends beyond the boundaries of my mat and into a shared experience with those around me. In class there is a collective energy, a sense of unity that reminds me that we are all on this journey of self-discovery and growth together. Yoga is no longer just for my own benefit—it has become a practice of service, of mindfulness, and of creating a peace inside myself that I can share with the world when I leave my mat.