Why We Really Practice: Finding Grace in Everyday Life

The purpose of formal practice isn’t to master a handstand or sit in perfect stillness for 20 minutes with a silent mind, although those things are fun and wonderful to experience. 

Formal practice is about carving out sacred time to nourish ourselves, calm our nervous systems, and quiet the mental chatter. It’s not about perfection; it’s about preparation—so that when life gets messy, we can meet it with grace and ease.

I end every yoga class with this prayer: “May our practice be a gift we give ourselves and the world together at the same time.” This reflects why I practice—not to achieve fancy poses or fleeting bliss, but to show up as a compassionate, grounded person.

When my kids are melting down or dinner’s a disaster, practice helps me stay centred—or recover more quickly when I fall. And I fall often. Yoga teaches me to hold space for others and walk through life with less suffering. For me, that’s the real gift.