When I took my first training in 2007, my teacher trainer posed the question, “Is yoga enough?” In the traditional Ashtanga practice of Mysore, a 6-days-a-week practice of the same sequence every single day, would that be enough to keep the body balanced, strong, capable, and mobile?

It seems we all come to our mats for different reasons initially. After my first real yoga practice in 2003, I decided that I hated yoga. I couldn’t touch my toes. I felt like an imposter. I didn’t know the weird language they were speaking. And I had zero body awareness. All in all, I didn’t feel “good” at it.

I view the beginning of a new age as my "new year" instead of January 1. Reflection has always been a big part of my life. I find so much joy in noticing growth. The past few years, I've been using the Desire Map to hone in on what I want to create as I walk into a fresh year. In this workbook, the intent is to cultivate how you want to feel in your life before you set your goals, as most goals are usually made because we think we will feel a certain way once we achieve them.

I place the group of students in a circle. They're seated, eyes closed, left hand face down on their left knee, right hand face up on their right knee. The only direction they're given is to not open their eyes. That's it. I then walk around and place an ice cube in their open right hand and let the group know that we'll be sitting for an indeterminate amount of time, reminding them that the only request is they keep their eyes closed. It is fascinating to watch the response.