Behind the Class

One hour of teaching yoga often starts long before class ever begins.

For me, it starts with choosing a theme, thinking about the people who may show up, and asking myself what kind of class they might need that day. Sometimes it’s strength. Sometimes it’s softness. Sometimes it’s grounding, encouragement, or simply a place to breathe.

I don’t just show up and start calling out poses. I spend time building the sequence, thinking through transitions, creating a playlist, and making sure there are modifications so people feel supported no matter where they are in their practice.

That part matters to me.

I want my students to feel cared for from the moment they step onto their mats. I want them to know they don’t have to be the most flexible, the strongest, or the most experienced person in the room. They just have to show up as they are.

When I teach, I think about the body, but I also think about the heart. I think about the person who had a hard day. The person who is carrying stress. The person who needs to feel strong again. The person who needs permission to slow down.

Yoga has been that place for me, too.

It has met me in seasons of grief, change, rebuilding, and healing. It has reminded me to breathe when life felt heavy. It has helped me return to myself over and over again. That is why I teach from such an intentional place.

Teaching yoga isn’t about performing for me. It isn’t about perfect poses or making a class look impressive.

It’s about creating space.

Space to breathe.
Space to move.
Space to feel supported.
Space to come back home to yourself.

There is so much that happens before class begins, and most people may never see that part. But I believe the preparation matters. The intention matters. The way people are welcomed matters. The way they are guided matters.

Because teaching yoga isn’t just what happens during class.

It’s everything that happens before it.

And for me, every class is another chance to serve, connect, and remind people that they are worthy of taking up space on the mat and in their own lives.