Today marks the beginning of something I’ve been thinking about for a long time—my yoga journey. I’ve always admired those serene, flexible yogis who seemed so at peace with themselves, moving with grace and purpose through each pose. For months, maybe years, I’ve watched videos, scrolled past inspirational yoga posts on Instagram, and told myself I’d start one day. Well, that day is today.
I didn’t wake up in a zen mood or feel particularly flexible. In fact, I woke up with a sore back and a mind buzzing with to-do lists. But something in me decided: enough excuses. I rolled out of bed, unrolled the dusty yoga mat I bought last summer, and told myself I didn’t have to be perfect—I just had to begin.
Setting the Intention
I read somewhere that setting an intention before starting yoga helps ground you. So, I sat cross-legged, closed my eyes, and took a few deep breaths. My mind was jumpy, flickering from thought to thought. It felt awkward at first—like my brain was resisting stillness. But slowly, I repeated a simple intention to myself: “Be present. Be kind to your body. Be open to change.”
It wasn’t a dramatic shift, but just repeating those words gave me a little focus. A little peace. I felt ready to begin.
The First Stretch
I decided to start with a beginner’s video I found on YouTube titled “Yoga for Absolute Beginners.” The instructor had a gentle, reassuring voice and reminded viewers to go at their own pace. That was exactly what I needed.
The first few movements were simple stretches—neck rolls, shoulder circles, and some deep breathing. It didn’t take long to realize how stiff I’ve become. My hamstrings protested even the slightest forward fold. My lower back felt tight. My hips creaked in ways that surprised me. But I kept going, breathing through the discomfort, and trying not to judge myself.
One pose, Child’s Pose, felt especially comforting. I sank down, arms stretched in front of me, forehead to the mat, and let out a long sigh. It felt like coming home. There was no pressure to look a certain way. Just stillness and surrender. That moment alone was worth the whole session.
Wobbling Through Warrior
The standing poses were more challenging. Warrior I and Warrior II looked elegant in the video, but I felt like a wobbly flamingo trying to imitate the instructor’s grace. My balance was shaky, my legs trembled, and I realized just how much strength yoga requires—not just physical, but mental too. It takes focus to hold a pose when your muscles are screaming and your thoughts are darting all over the place.
But the instructor kept reminding me: “It’s not about perfection. It’s about practice.” That phrase stuck with me. I let go of trying to look “right” and focused instead on how I felt. I adjusted my stance, grounded my feet, and breathed deeper. I wasn’t steady, but I was trying. And that felt good.
Discovering My Breath
One unexpected highlight of Day 1 was connecting with my breath. I always thought breathing was just… automatic. You don’t really think about it. But yoga made me notice my breath—when it was shallow, when I held it, when it deepened. I learned to inhale through the nose, filling my belly, and exhale slowly, letting tension melt away.
That mindful breathing became an anchor. Every time I felt overwhelmed or unsure in a pose, I returned to my breath. It helped me stay present, and it softened the experience. For the first time in a long while, I wasn’t rushing to the next thing. I was here, in this moment, breathing, stretching, learning.
The Final Rest
The session ended with Savasana, or corpse pose, where you lie on your back and just rest. It felt strange at first to lie still in the middle of my living room, arms and legs relaxed, doing “nothing.” But the quiet was soothing. I closed my eyes and let my body sink into the mat. My thoughts drifted, and for a brief moment, I felt a kind of peace I haven’t felt in a while.
It wasn’t earth-shattering or mystical, but it was real. It was mine. Just me and the mat and a little quiet space carved out of the day.
Reflections After Practice
After I rolled up my mat, I sat with a cup of tea and thought about what had just happened. I didn’t nail every pose. I didn’t feel instantly transformed. But I showed up. And that matters.
Yoga, I’m beginning to understand, is about more than just flexibility or strength. It’s about connection—to the body, to the breath, to the moment. It’s about listening, not pushing. Softening, not striving. And that’s a lesson I’ve needed for a long time.
I know Day 1 is just the beginning. There will be days I skip. Days I feel lazy. Days I want to quit. But if I can remember how I feel right now—this quiet sense of accomplishment, of coming back to myself—I think I’ll keep going.
A New Beginning
Starting anything new is hard. It brings up doubts, comparisons, insecurities. But it also opens doors. Yoga, even in this single day, has reminded me that growth begins with one small, wobbly, brave step.
Today, I took that step. I breathed. I stretched. I listened. I tried.
Tomorrow, I’ll try again.
Namaste.
Would you like to continue this series with Day 2, or maybe add a reflection section or affirmations at the end?
