When I first started yoga, I wrote about the importance of showing up—even before results appear. That lesson still resonates this week in my private class, as I work on the Sun Salutation sequence.
One pose, the eight-point pose, reminded me how much I still have to learn. Moving from a knee-hand plank to the knees–hand–chest–chin position, I couldn’t bend my arms enough to lower my chest fully to the floor. My whole body wants to drop, and I struggle to control the movement. It’s frustrating, but it also shows me exactly what I need to build—arm and upper-body strength.
Even in these challenges, I notice small wins. Just showing up, paying attention to my body, and practicing regularly is progress. Like my early experiences with tree pose, incremental improvements—however quiet—matter. Yoga continues to be a mirror: it reminds me that patience, persistence, and awareness are more important than immediate results.
Li,
This is an insightful reflection on the nature of peace. It is truly heartening to witness how your ‘Contemplation’ from 2023 has blossomed into this deep sense of contentment in 2026. Your realization that happiness is found in “living well” rather than “earning” it is a lesson that resonates deeply. Pairing your words with your own artwork makes the journey feel so tangible.
Thank you!