2005 when a college professor said to her, “you should try yoga; you seem tense.” At their behest I tried a yoga class at the student union and left halfway through the practice exclaiming, “this is not for me!” The whole thing felt…offbeat. “Downward-facing dog”? “Sun salutations”? It sounded less like exercise and more like a strange choreography from a foreign film.

5 years later, hoping to shed some pounds for her wedding, I found myself in a Hot Yoga class in Bronx, NY. After the 90-minute class, I laid there in savasana, a sweaty hot mess not knowing exactly what just happened, but feeling euphoric bliss.

Squeezed onto a borrowed mat, I waded into the unknown. Plank? My arms screamed. Warrior II? My balance wobbled like a toddler on roller skates. This “gentle” yoga was kicking my butt.

Sweat dripped, muscles ached, and my ego took a serious blow. Yet, as we transitioned to the final resting pose, a wave of serenity washed over me. The tightness in my shoulders melted away, replaced by a deep sense of calm. My mind, usually a frantic hamster on a wheel, quieted. It was pure bliss, a stark contrast to the knotted mess I was minutes before.

That day, something shifted. I wasn’t hooked, exactly, but intrigued. There was more to yoga than weird names and pretzel poses. It was a connection – to my breath, my body, and a stillness I craved. So, I kept going.

Week after week, the poses became smoother, the breathing deeper. The initial awkwardness transformed into a newfound strength and flexibility. Yoga became my sanctuary, a refuge from the chaos of college life. Years passed, the practice deepening. The physical challenge remained, but a mental clarity emerged. Yoga wasn’t just about the body; it was a journey inward. It fueled a desire to share this transformative experience with others.

So, I took the leap, enrolling in a teacher training program. Now, here I am, fourteen years after that first, humbling experience, guiding my own students through the wonders of yoga. It’s a full-circle moment, a testament to the power of stepping outside your comfort zone and the profound impact a single class can have.