I'll be honest—I never imagined myself as one of those yoga people. You know, the ones who talk about “finding their center” while effortlessly holding a perfect warrior pose at sunrise? Not me. I was more of a “let’s open another bottle of wine” social butterfly, filling my evenings with laughter, conversation, and soaking up the buzz of good company late into the night. And honestly, I loved it – until I didn’t.

At some point, the parties stopped being fun, and the noise I used to escape became harder to ignore. I was running on empty, chasing moments that no longer fulfilled me, and pretending everything was fine when deep down, I knew I needed a change. I needed something that would help me feel grounded, connected, and whole again.

In 2023, life threw me a curveball. Newly sober and a little lost, I joined some friends on an India tour. We were exploring the Golden Triangle, chasing thrills, parties, and distractions. It was the kind of trip filled with sensory overload – the smells of street food, the colors of bustling markets, and the adrenaline of constant movement. But somewhere amidst all the chaos, I realized that my inner world was just as noisy.

I craved quiet. I didn’t just want it – I needed it.

One night in Jaipur, as the energy of the day finally faded, I found myself lying awake, staring at the ceiling of my hotel room. India’s vibrancy had been a mirror, reflecting my own mental clutter. My mind was spinning, and I realized that no amount of external adventure was going to quiet the storm inside me.

That was the moment I knew it was time for a different kind of journey – one that didn’t require a plane ticket or a packed itinerary. It was time to take a journey inward.

The Unexpected Transformation

At first, it felt impossible. I could barely touch my toes, let alone flow through a sequence without stumbling. But something clicked. Ashtanga wasn’t just a physical challenge – though trust me, it is intense. It was a mental and emotional lifeline.

Every time I stepped on the mat, I felt a little lighter. The focus on breath (pranayama) forced me to slow down, to tune in to myself. The sequences of poses (asanas) pushed me to find strength I didn’t know I had. And the discipline of showing up day after day? That taught me resilience.

It wasn’t always pretty. There were days when I felt stiff, frustrated, and ready to quit. But those were the days when the practice taught me the most.

Ashtanga gave me the tools to face my own chaos – both on the mat and off of it. It taught me that balance isn’t something you find once and keep forever. It’s something you create, one breath at a time, even when everything feels overwhelming.

From Newbie to Advocate

Now, I’m not claiming to be an Ashtanga expert – far from it. I’m still learning, still stumbling, still growing. But what I’ve discovered is too beautiful not to share.

Yoga isn’t about perfection. It’s about connection – to yourself, to the present moment, and to the world around you. It’s about showing up for yourself, even when it feels hard.

This blog is my way of inviting you to join me on this journey. Whether you’re curious about yoga, new to the practice, or a seasoned yogi looking for fresh inspiration, I hope my story resonates with you.

If you’ve ever felt like life was spinning out of control, or like you needed a moment to breathe, I see you. And I promise, the mat is a good place to start.

You don’t even have to touch your toes. All you need is an open heart and a willingness to try.

Because if a party girl like me can find peace through yoga, trust me – you can too.

Om Shanti ✨