Always Changing Always Evolving

Mantra for the week and Yoga Teacher Training

I’m here in Bordeaux as I write this post, leading my first yoga retreat since 2011. Before becoming a mom and joining Peloton, I used to lead retreats all over the world. I truly love leading retreats because they are transformative in so many ways. It's an opportunity to connect with amazing people from around the world, all while immersed in a stunning landscape I’ve never experienced before. The French Retreat in Chalais is something truly special. It's a bit remote—just a 2-hour train ride from Paris to Bordeaux, followed by a 1-hour drive to the retreat—but that’s what makes it so incredible. Nestled in the beautiful countryside of France, the crisp air, breathtaking scenery, and quietude offer the perfect environment for yoga and reflection.

The yoga room here has such magical energy, and tonight, the retreat’s resident cat, Stephanie, joined me on my bed and is currently licking her paws. The owner, Emma, opened this retreat center over ten years ago, and she and her daughter have been preparing delicious, home-cooked meals for us. Today, we enjoyed freshly made croissants for breakfast, potato leek soup, lentil and beet salad, walnut bread with French cheese and butter for lunch, and lasagna with mozzarella, tomatoes, and crusty bread for dinner, finished off with tiramisu. We’ll also visit a local vineyard, ride bikes, paint, get massages, walk into town, and do lots of yoga.

I’ll admit that I felt a little rusty teaching today—especially after a long travel day—but I quickly found my rhythm, drawing on my thirty years of experience. As always, though, I saw it as an opportunity to grow and evolve. I’ll forever be a student, and that's one of the most beautiful things about yoga. Every time I step on the mat, I learn something new—about myself and my teaching. Today, I focused on refining my cues, being more precise, and eliminating unnecessary words. I was reminded how crucial it is to slow down and make sure every student, no matter their level, feels comfortable and supported in the class through hands-on adjustments and attentiveness.

Speaking of adjustments, I recently led a workshop on hands-on adjustments, and it was a wonderful experience sharing my knowledge with other students and teachers. It was so rewarding, and it inspired me to share even more. That’s why I’m so excited to be partnering again with Tru North Yoga Center to lead a full 200-hour yoga teacher training program starting this April.

It’s a bit nerve-wracking for me, too. This will be my first time leading a full teacher training program, and as I review everything from yoga philosophy to anatomy, I’m reminded of how much there is to keep learning. If you’re considering diving deeper into your yoga practice—whether it’s to deepen your understanding or pursue teaching—this is a wonderful opportunity. The program is available both in-person and remotely, allowing you to join from wherever you are and at your own pace.

Tonight, a woman on the retreat shared her mantra: "Always changing, always evolving." I absolutely love that. Life is all about growth. If we don’t step outside our comfort zones, we’ll never grow. That’s why when an opportunity presents itself, we need to grab it. Life is too short to keep putting things off. I was reminded of this while watching a movie on my nine-hour flight—My Old Ass—a story about a young woman who meets her older self on a crazy mushroom trip. I won’t spoil the entire movie for you, but there are so many moments that remind us life is short, and we often forget when we change. When was the last time we rode bikes with friends, playing pretend, and then it just ended? It’s a great reminder to live life fully, take risks, eat the cake, be in the moment, love the stage you’re in now knowing it won’t be the same later, and most importantly, cherish time with the ones you love.

At 18, you think everything will always stay the same, but life is constantly changing. Who knows where we will be 1, 5, or 10 years from now? When an opportunity to learn, explore, or improve ourselves comes our way, it’s worth every bit of time, energy, and investment. I want to grow into a better person. I want to learn more about myself and others and the world. I want to stay open-minded and curious. I also want to give myself and others grace, knowing that who you were yesterday can always change in the right direction. If you made a mistake or changed your mind, it’s okay. We are all human, and we are all connected. The yoga practice reminds us of this.

So close your eyes, soften your face, relax your shoulders, follow your breath, and then quietly repeat in your mind:

Always changing
Always evolving

Always changing
Always evolving

Always changing
Always evolving

If you’ve been thinking about deepening your practice or taking the next step in your yoga journey, I’d love for you to join me for my teacher training. It’s going to be an incredible experience, and I can’t wait to see what we all learn and how we grow together. All of the details can be found here, and feel free to reach out to me personally if you have questions or to share with a friend or family member who may want to join. It could just very well change your life!