In 2012, I taught my very first yoga class. (12 years after starting a consistent practice)  I still remember the nerves and the strange mixture of excitement and uncertainty that comes when you step into something that feels bigger than yourself. At the time, I had no idea that one class would eventually turn into thousands.

This week, as I logged my teaching hours, I crossed over 10,000 hours of teaching yoga.

Ten thousand hours. Thirteen years. When I first started teaching, that number would have seemed impossible. But purpose has a quiet way of unfolding. It rarely arrives all at once. It reveals itself slowly, through repetition, devotion, and the willingness to keep showing up day after day.

Over the years, there have been moments of exhaustion, moments of growth, moments of deep joy, and moments that tested me in ways I never expected. Through it all, there has always been a subtle humming in my bones that reminds me I am doing the thing I am meant to do.

Yoga has never simply been movement for me. It has been connection, healing, and community. It has been watching people walk into the studio carrying stress, grief, overwhelm, or self-doubt and seeing them leave feeling lighter, calmer, and more connected to themselves. It has witnessed people discover strength they did not know they had, not only in their bodies but in their lives. 

Just like my journey, the healing, the strength, and the resiliency yoga gave me. A true gift!

This week also marked the graduation of eight beautiful souls from Sunshine’s 200 Hour Yoga Teacher Training, as they start their journey. Watching them step into the role of teacher was emotional in the best possible way. Over the last ten months, they have worked hard studying anatomy, philosophy, breathwork, sequencing, and the art of holding space for others. But beyond all of that, they learned how to trust themselves.

The energy during graduation weekend was powerful. There was excitement, pride, nervous laughter, tears, and so much heart in the room. Watching them teach reminded me so much of where I began all those years ago. None of us begins fully ready. We simply begin.

There is limited space remaining in our August 200 Hour cohort, and if something inside you has been quietly nudging you to deepen your practice or step into teaching, maybe this is your reminder to listen to that voice.

Also, keep an eye out for some wonderful community partnerships unfolding around Sunshine this season. Many of you already know about our free Yoga at Geyer Commons on Saturday mornings, and this past Friday, I had the opportunity to teach for the Mansfield Moms Walk, which was such a beautiful reminder of how powerful community wellness can be when people simply come together and move.

In June, I will also be partnering with Mansfield Methodist Hospital to bring Chair Yoga to seniors in our community. I am incredibly excited about creating more accessible spaces for movement, breath, and connection. Please tell a friend, a mom, a grandparent, or someone you love who might benefit from these offerings. More details are below, and I truly hope these partnerships continue to help yoga reach people who may have never imagined it was for them.

And coming soon, we will once again partner with Methodist for prenatal yoga offerings, supporting moms through every stage of the journey into motherhood with movement, breath, and community.

This past week also brought another moment that felt incredibly full circle. I had my official lululemon Ambassador photo shoot with the talented Dean Xu, alongside fellow ambassador Elly from F45, for the new Arlington Highlands store opening in July.

I am deeply honored to represent a global brand that celebrates movement, wellness, and community. Over the past few years, lululemon has been incredibly generous to both our Sunshine community and me, especially since the pop-up shop first came to town. Their support has felt genuine, thoughtful, and rooted in creating connection, which aligns so beautifully with everything we try to build at Sunshine.

Looking back now, had I known then what I know now, I would still choose this path again.

Every challenge.
Every lesson.
Every class.

Every yogi
Every single day. ☀️

Thank you for being a part of it.