One of the most important things I have learned from teaching yoga is very hard to do but of incalculable value.

Trust yourself first.

Please notice I did not say "trust yourself only". Listen to others' wisdom but do not lose
your rootedness in your own.

It has taken me a long time to consistently do this.

I am definitely make mistakes in my life. But I have learned that I am happier making the
mistakes I make from trusting myself first than those I make from not doing so.

The practice of yoga is about exploring the internal landscape: first of the body, then the breath, then
the mind. Observation and self-reflection slowly becomes a habit.

As this unfolds, we begin to feel more and more quickly from the belly in every situation what is our own truth.

Trusting this truth from the belly, over and over again, and then trusting that it will lead us home to ourselves, is
what practice is all about.

Take this as a silent mantra every time you step on the mat to practice, whether it be alone at home or in class.

Take this as a mantra every time you step onto the mat to teach.

It will open your heart in ways you could never have predicted.

May we live like the lotus, at home in the muddy water.