I started yoga for simple, practical reasons: to improve my flexibility and balance. I didn’t expect much beyond that, especially after just two one-hour sessions. But even this early, yoga has already reminded me of something important about myself.
Showing up isn’t new to me—it’s part of who I am. Once I decide to learn something, I don’t spend much time hesitating or waiting to feel ready. I just go. Yoga didn’t change that, but it made me notice it more clearly. Walking into class with a stiff body and very little experience, I didn’t question whether I belonged there. I showed up anyway, and let the learning happen after.
Physically, it hasn’t been easy. My body is still very stiff, and stretching can be painful—especially in poses like wide-leg stretches and leg lifts. There’s no pretending I’m good at this yet. But there are small signs of progress. In tree pose, I used to lose my balance in under three seconds. But this week, I managed to hold it for twenty seconds, balancing on my inner calf.
That improvement is small, but it matters. It reminded me that progress doesn’t have to be dramatic to be real. Sometimes, it’s quiet and easy to overlook unless you pay attention.
After only two classes, I’m not more flexible yet, and I’m definitely still a beginner. But yoga has already served as a mirror. It reminded me that showing up—especially before results appear—is how I’ve always moved forward. And sometimes, noticing small wins is enough to keep going.