María - Yoga is not only about movement

Hi there,

I am a 27-year-old yoga teacher and practitioner, passionate about this
practice that has transformed my life in countless ways. I graduated from
my first 200-hour YTT program in 2023 in a magical little town in Mexico ̶
and it was truly one of the best decisions of my life.

Since then, I've had the privilege of teaching Yoga at different schools and centers throughout Latin and Central America, as well as online with students from around the world.

But more than the places I've taught or the styles I've practiced, what truly
inspires me is the essence of Yoga: the way it reaches far beyond physical
postures and reveals itself in everyday life.

When I first began my certification, I thought Yoga would be all about
asanas and physical practice. I imagined that each class would leave me
feeling renewed, calm, and ready to face the world with a "zen" attitude. And
yes, my body felt lighter and my breath more spacious after asana and
pranayama ̶ but the real challenge came off the mat. That was when I
began to understand that Yoga is not only about movement; it's about how
you choose to live every single moment.

For a long time after my training, I used to judge myself for not practicing
"enough yoga." My asana practice wasn't as strong or consistent as it had
been during my YTT, and I often felt guilty about it. What I didn't realize
then was that asana is only one small part of Yoga. Even when I wasn't
practicing postures every day, I was constantly given opportunities to live
Yoga: in my choices, in my relationships, in the way I met challenges with
awareness.

Over time, I realized that those moments outside of class were just as
meaningful ̶ if not more ̶ than the hours I spent on the mat. The deeper
I've gone into the practice, the more I've realized how vast it really is. The
teachings are like an ocean: the further you swim, the more you see how
endless it is. Instead of arriving at a finish line, Yoga continually humbles
me with the reminder that there is always more to learn, always more to
discover.

At first, I thought Yoga would only bring me peace, light, and joy. But life
soon showed me another side: density, difficulty, and darkness. And yet,
those experiences became just as essential to my growth. Yoga has taught
me that life is built on dualities ̶ day and night, expansion and contraction,
sadness and joy. Everything complements everything else, and nothing is
wasted.

And in those dualities, I've come to see something else: that we are
constantly changing. Challenges arise not to break us, but to keep us from
becoming stagnant. They push us to evolve, to mature, and to flourish.
Without facing the polarities of life ̶ the ease and the struggle, the light
and the shadow ̶ we wouldn't be able to grow into fuller, wiser versions of
ourselves.

Over time, I've also learned that when we identify solely with the mind, we
risk becoming trapped in patterns, emotions, and fluctuations that drain our
energy and obscure our true essence. The practice of Yoga invites us to
pause, observe without judgment, and gently release those false
identifications. That's where transformation begins: in the courage to sit
with ourselves, notice, and choose differently.

I still remember the yoga festival in Mexico where I met my teacher J'aime.
From the very first conversation, I knew she would guide me into something
more profound. That meeting inspired me to begin my certification, and it
changed my life forever. During the training, I was thrilled by each new
posture I learned, each milestone I achieved. I thought I was reaching the
"finish line," but instead I discovered that the real journey only begins once
we step off the mat.

Now, three years after graduating, I do feel wiser and stronger. However, I'm
also fully aware that a long journey still lies ahead of me. There are many
things I am uncertain of, but one thing I know for sure: I don't want to walk
this path on my own. I want to inspire and feel inspired, to create
community, and to help bring more awareness into people's lives ̶ one step
at a time, little by little.

My hope is that this space becomes a circle of connection, where we can
inspire and support one another in remembering who we truly are and why
do we do what we do. Because this path is not always about perfection or
constant happiness. It's about embracing the full spectrum of life ̶ the light
and the shadows, the strength and the vulnerability.

My wish is to create a safe space where we can share our thoughts, our
doubts, and the things that arise along our journeys, knowing that we are
not walking alone. Here, we can show up as we are ̶ human, imperfect,
and yet deeply whole.

And who knows? Two years from now, we'll come back to this very post and
notice how much we've changed, how our perspectives have evolved. That's
the beauty of it ̶ change is always necessary. It's part of the process of
growth, of evolution, and of life itself.

And you? Have you ever felt that Yoga found you beyond the mat?

I'd love to read your comments.
Thank you for walking this path with me,

With love, María