This week I had one of those sessions that reminds me why I love this work so much. A long-time client and I combined a weekly yoga practice with some Thai yoga/assisted stretching. A few hours later, I received a text that made me smile:

“Thanks again! Feeling fantastic!! You rock!! 🙌”

Messages like this are a gift. They affirm the power of consistent practice and remind me why I’m committed to helping others feel good in their bodies, no matter what circumstances life brings.

When Everything Feels Good

Sometimes a session leaves you walking away feeling lighter, freer, and “fantastic” in every sense of the word. The stretches open space, the breathwork calms the mind, and the body feels aligned and energized. That’s the sweet spot we all love.

When Life Still Brings Stress or Pain

But here’s the deeper truth: not every session ends with total bliss. Sometimes clients still have pain in their bodies or stress in their lives. What changes, though, is their relationship to that pain or stress. Through yoga, breathwork, and mindfulness, they’ve learned tools to respond differently. They can:

• Breathe through tension instead of resisting it.

• Notice stress without letting it spiral.

• Choose movement that relieves, instead of movement that depletes.

• Anchor themselves in presence, even when life feels messy.

The Choice Between Pain and Suffering

Pain and stress are often unavoidable parts of being human. We all face them. But suffering, the ongoing struggle and resistance to “what is” - is a choice. Yoga gives us the awareness and resilience to recognize:

• I may feel pain, but I don’t have to add layers of fear, frustration, or judgment on top of it.

• I may feel stressed, but I can still choose to breathe, move, and center myself.

That shift is profound. It’s the difference between being trapped in the storm and realizing you can stand in the calm center.

Why I Keep Going

Every grateful message from a client reminds me of this larger purpose. My role isn’t just to stretch muscles or guide a pose—it’s to offer practices that empower people to feel better, no matter what’s happening in their bodies or lives.

Sometimes that looks like “fantastic.” Sometimes it looks like, “I feel steadier, even if the pain is still there.” Both are victories.