I spend a lot of time sitting in a chair—whether working, traveling, or writing, much of my day revolves around a computer screen. This lifestyle has taken a toll on my body: a hunched spine, a strained neck from poor posture, and reduced blood flow to my legs. Even my lifespan, it seems, might be shortened by this sedentary routine. While I love my work in AI—a field as thrilling as it is fast-paced—the constant need to keep up with rapid advancements adds a layer of stress to the mix.

Enter yoga, my solution for both mobility and mental clarity. Growing up as a practicing Buddhist, I was introduced to yoga at an early age, but it wasn’t until I moved to the city after college that I truly connected with it. In my video, “I Tried 8 Fitness Classes in NYC,” I rated a hot yoga session at Y7 as my least favorite—too challenging, I thought at the time. But life has a way of humbling you. Injuries from running and weightlifting, coupled with mounting stress, brought me back to the mat. Yoga transformed from a chore into a practice I genuinely loved, challenging my body and mind in ways no other exercise could.

So, I took a leap: I signed up for a 200-hour yoga teacher training program. Initially, my goal was pragmatic—a certification that could lead to a side hustle or even a dream retirement teaching yoga on a beach somewhere. What I didn’t anticipate were the other gifts: a vibrant community, a deeper connection to my culture, and a newfound strength in both body and mind.

At $3,000, the course was no small investment, so I was motivated to fully commit. Missing more than two classes could result in losing the certification, and cramming 200 hours into just two months was no joke. My schedule became packed: three-hour classes on Tuesday and Thursday nights, full-day sessions on weekends, two outside yoga classes per week, plus homework and required readings. What I had initially imagined as a laid-back, hippie-style experience turned out to be anything but.

Yet, the rigor of the syllabus was exhilarating. Beyond mastering asanas and anatomy, we explored yoga’s rich history, philosophy, and social impact. We delved into prenatal yoga, Ayurveda, and even the Bhagavad Gita, a central text in yogic tradition. It reignited my love of learning and inspired me to fully engage with the material.

In-person sessions were another highlight. Meeting my fellow trainees off Zoom and on the mat brought a sense of camaraderie. We practiced teaching each other, tackled challenging poses like crow, and bonded over our shared experiences. Our instructors struck the perfect balance of professionalism and approachability, fostering an environment where curiosity thrived.

But life isn’t always smooth sailing. The demands of balancing work, training, and my usual workouts began to take their toll. I fell behind on homework, struggled to focus in class, and started doubting myself. Friends questioned whether this was the best use of my time, and I couldn’t help comparing myself to classmates who seemed stronger and more balanced. Yoga, which was supposed to be my zen, had somehow become another source of stress.

Two things brought me back.

First, I leaned on yoga’s principles, particularly aparigraha, or non-attachment. Letting go of the need for perfection helped me reconnect with the joy of the practice itself. Second, my cohort became an unexpected source of strength. They shared their vulnerabilities, asked thought-provoking questions, and invited me to connect outside of class. One evening, we gathered at a classmate’s apartment for a session, and she offered me a card from her oracle deck. I drew the Root of Fire.

On our final day, she brought out the deck again, and, to my astonishment, I drew the Root of Fire once more. It felt like the universe was speaking directly to me. I recalled something my instructor had said when a tarot card flew out of her bookcase: “Sometimes the cards find you.” That moment crystallized my inspiration for the final practicum. Fire—the spark of strength and transformation—became the core of my teaching sequence.

The program concluded with an exam and a live practicum. While I crammed my way through the exam, the practicum was my true test. As the last to present, I was a bundle of nerves, but once I started, the cues and flows I’d practiced flowed naturally. Before I knew it, my 20 minutes were up, and my cohort’s encouragement made the experience unforgettable.

Looking back, I am profoundly grateful for this journey—not just for the certification but for the growth, the friendships, and the renewed connection to my roots. Yoga has taught me to embrace challenges, find joy in the process, and honor the fire within me.