I’ve worked in corporate America for more than two decades. My job pays the bills, peaks my intellectual curiosity, builds my professional capabilities, tests my patience, and affords me with the opportunity to travel in Africa, Asia, Europe and North America. But it does not satisfy my soul or sustain my joy. Yoga does that for me.

A corporate co-worker introduced me to Bikram yoga in 1993 one day after work. I remember walking into the room and feeling the heat on my face. As a native Houstonian, I thought I could deal with the heat until I tried Awkward Pose. I looked around the room and wondered how I was going to make it through the rest of the class.

I didn’t want to quit. I didn’t want to sit. All I could do was stare at myself in the mirror, and somehow I began to relax and surrender to the teacher’s instructions. The class was hard but I loved it from the minute it started. I liked looking in the mirror, connecting with my eyes, connecting with my body and connecting with my spirit. The class was a reminder that I could make it through anything, no matter how difficult.

That’s the beauty of yoga. It’s that sweet spot where you choose to surrender your spirit so that the mind and body can become one. As a  yoga instructor, I get to witness and help people make that choice every day.

What you get from yoga is up to you. Enjoy the journey.

Namaste.