For me, Yoga is not about transforming into something you are not, but rather it is about transforming into the true you, returning to who you really are.
Yoga works like that.
I remember this from our recent book club read, Tree Of Yoga by BKS Iyengar.
I love the way Iyengar speaks of health being "religious" and I believe that a healthy life or a "religious" life asks you to stay present. In fact, it requires it. That is the discipline for me. Staying present is healthy. Health is religious. It's soooo hot right now.
This practice requires us to not withdraw but rather to stay in, all in. Often in my classes I remind my friends that we are here to check in, not to check out. While we might think of Yoga as an escape it is actually a return. A practice of embrace. You can play all the zen flute you want and light fire to all the nag champa in the world. You can block out the studio windows and you can dim the lights to sexy - but the "global art" that Iyengar speaks of, in my opinion, is not about zoning out, zen-ing out or escaping. It is about checking in. It is about exploring, staying curious and finding that return back home. Back to your true colors. Back to your finest truest self.
So Yoga Works. If you do the work. But the work can simply be staying present. Start there. That is why I love FIND what feels good. It is about the exploration and that sweet curious check-in each day.
Here is a random picture of me in a ridiculous amount of stripes and with my recent YWA tea time guest, Osa the dog. 
Love, A
PS: Join us as we read and discuss (and goof off) here at the Yoga With Adriene Book Club! Next book is The Four Agreements by Don Miguel Ruiz. Read at your own pace. Read book club books of the past or future. There are no rules. Or, if there are, they are meant to be broken here people. Read!
Adriene, I can't agree more, that yoga releases the inner you and develops your senses. I started doing yoga nearly 3 weeks ago with you and I am feeling like a new person, more like myself, like someone I thought I had lost through the years. Thank you.
Beautiful Sara. Amen. That is the ticket. Enjoy the ride - let me know how it unfolds!
I just had a wow moment 🙂
I am fairly new to the youtube channel and website and loving it!
I recently just connected with a friend who because of a conversation we recently had, sent me an image of "the four agreements" I paid no attention to whoe wrote it but immediately saved it on my phone. I just joined the book club, read this post and there was this post. I had no idea a book even existed. This website, my friend and this book have all come into my life when I needed it most 🙂
How cool is that?
Hi Adriene. My father was unwell over the past few weeks and passed away last Tuesday. We were blessed, as a family, to be with Dad when he passed, surrounding him in love. Over that time I have been keeping up with YWA, the Reboot Kula etc but, from the middle of April, I have not had the desire to actually "hit the mat". My heart just wasn't in it.
Reading this post this morning has really spoken to me, thank you!!! I am going to embrace and welcome back my Yoga spirit today, just starting gently and slowly but starting!!!
Loving your honest, caring and sharing spirit. Narelle (Sydney, Australia)
hi Narelle,
I'm so sorry to hear about the recent loss of your father. When my brother passed away a few years ago, yoga provided comfort and strength. I hope you'll put it to the test because I think it can help sustain you with inner ease and help you breathe during those moments when grief can be overwhelming. Kind thoughts for you and your family at this time.
Hi Narelle,
Oh my heart! I find that the true Yoga is the art of listening and staying present or true to what you hear. So taking a break from the mat doesn't mean taking a break from Yoga. Listen to your heart and let the art of listening serve you. If you are ready to get on the mat - it will serve you. The practice always seems to provide just what the doctor ordered if we are open to it.
I have hit my mat in times of grief. I have literally dropped to my knees on the mat, cried in childs pose, downward dog and forward fold. I have laughed in Savasana. It will serve you. Breathe and know that you are loved and supported.
I send you my deepest sympathy and love. I just lost someone very close and special to me too. What a wild and beautiful ride we are on.
Namaste,
Adriene
Hi Adrianne,
I'm from England and I'm studying for my final exams. I was so worried about them and super stressed so my mum told me to google yoga! Thankfully I came across you and your videos and I just want to say thank you so much. I feel far more relaxed and happy with my revision, I feel I am taking in more and I look forward to your videos on my break.
Thanks again and don't worry even when my exams finish I will be continuing on my yoga journey!
Lots of love,
Olivia xxx
Hi Narelle,
I am so very sorry for your loss...I too recently lost my father after a very long illness. After many years away, I recently returned to yoga. Although an adult, I think for me that yoga is a way of nurturing myself during my grief, almost parenting my inner child if you will. The breathing helps me to focus on and appreciate the miracle that life is on this level. Trust yourself...you will intuitively know what you need as you feel and journey through your grief. Do what feels right and be gentle with yourself. My warmest thoughts to you...take care, m
I absolutely love your yoga videos! I started doing the bedtime yoga about a month ago and caanot believe how much better I sleep. I was never able to shut off my mind, but your voice and guidance is very calming. Thank you for changing my life!
It's all you babay! This makes me smile! ENJOY and rock that beauty sleep.
Beautifully put as usual! I feel more like me when I do yoga. I feel more radiant - I've even had people comment on this - happier, fuller. Me but better! Plus yoga helps me find the best in things around me. I found ways to love running, no really. To love moving. To love eating right - most of the time. To me, it's about releasing the junk inside of me and letting the rest blossom. Weeding for the soul, if you will. 🙂
Yes, beautifully expressed Adriene. Yoga practice is checking back in.
and don't worry about the stripes - your hair is looking fabulous !
Good hair days. Rare but sweet. 😉
hi Adrienne..so lovely to have met you! About 8 years ago I discovered Yoga and found myself. I was going thru some scary, painful, signifigant changes in my life and yoga became an anchor for me. I have struggled with anxiety since I was a child and I blessedly have discovered a healthy refuge on my mat.Here I've learned how to stay grounded in the present moment and how to use my breath to help me ride those life waves! 🙂 I've become a serious student of the practice and have reveled in being able to attend classes here in Milwaukee where I live. I have learned from and practiced with some amazing teachers. But I have found myself, once again, in the throes of change..this time primarily financial and will be practicing on my own more now w only myself as a guide. This is why, dear Adrienne , I am grateful to have found you. You are delightful and it feels so natural and good to be led by you! l love your teaching style and your inspiring vibe.Thank you so much for sharing your yoga and please visit Milwaukee sometime..we've developed a pretty cool yoga community here and practicing on the beaches of lake michigan truly rocks! Namaste, Jodi xo
Adriene,
I can't thank you enough for all that you have done for me. I had this yoga DVD I used to use all the time and was getting bored with it. It was repetitive and felt like it was missing something really substantial. I went to YouTube and searched for yoga videos. Your videos were some of the first that came up. I tried your intro to yoga video for beginners and things haven't been the same since! Your videos have helped me to discover a whole new deep, spirituality within yoga that I never experienced before. I feel more connected to my body, to my spirit, my mind, and to the Earth. You have made yoga such a beautiful experience. Thank you so very much! I practice gratitude daily and have always been a spiritual person but you have opened and unleashed a whole new side of me that I didn't know was there. Thank you for every thing that you do!! I can't tell you how much I appreciate it! You rock Adriene!
Hi Adriene!
I started yoga with you for about two months ago. I had gained weight and felt out of place and was trying to find a way to get fit again. To my surprise I have found so much more. I feel like the confident girl I lost some way in growing up, the one who always dared the boys to climb trees and and spent here day LIVING and looking for ed ventures. The confidence in me succeeding my yoga gave me the nudge I needed. I love the way it makes me feel when I've found wath feels good.
Im already halfway through to my gole and its all because of wonderful goofy you 😀 you make my workout fun and teach me too trust myself. I hope you know how much happiness you give. Lots of love from me in Sweden to you.
Help! I have really been enjoying doing yoga with you despite being over 50 and very out of form...but I have developed a problem with my shoulder and cannot do "downward facing dog" because afterwards, my tendons are too painful in my right shoulder.
As a yoga teacher, what can you suggest as an alternative for me during the sessions to DFD?
I'll be very grateful for your ideas.
Thanks for the programme, it's very good. Big hug.
I'm reading this just as I am about to go to some morning yoga, because I slept weird and everything hurts and it's been a rough week/month and I need some TLC... time to check in!
Yes, that passage I will always remember...the one that says, “When your body, mind and soul are healthy and harmonious, you will bring health and harmony to those around you and health and harmony to the world-not by withdrawing from the world but being a healthy living organ of the body of humanity.” So let it be.
...by the way, all your stripes are cool, including your shoes :). And I love the painting on your wall.
Adriene!
Cant thank you enough for your videos. Iam an absolut newbie to Yoga, and as much as I tried to follow others, there was always something missing. I love how you make the world to be OK, to accept my body with all its rigidity, and making it to be truly refreshing, than how serious and monotonous it can get if one obsesses. Thanks again and wish you very best in everything that you do 🙂
Hi Adrienne, hi everyone,
Thank you very much Adriene for your vidéos. I moved from Australia to Switzerland 3 weeks ago and I miss my Yoga Studio very much. Hopefully I have your videos to practise while I'm searching for a new studio. I had my first yoga class yesterday in Swiss German and believe me it's nice to hear your familiar voice.
Many thanks.
Severine
Adriene!
Thank you very much for your yoga videos! You are great! I started to practice every day and I feel so much more calm and in peace. The reason I started doing yoga is that I have multiple severe migraine attacks every week. Probably more migraine sufferers seek comfort in yoga. Could you maybe do a video on yoga for migraine?
Love from Holland,
Francis
I hope to find that complete unison you're speaking of. I've only just recently got into yoga again and it feels amazing! Awhile back I was having health issues; one theory was fibromyalgia and after a few other physical repairs I gave this a whirl and feel so much better. So thank you for your videos and positive energy!
Hi Adriene!
I am a French beginner yogi and i think your videos are the best. I like the fact that you encourage people to "find what feels good". Yoga gives me more confidence in my body and in my ability to choose what is the best for me. I love it all : the journey, the learning and the discoveries. So thanks a lot. You're awesome.
Hi Awesome Adriene 🙂
Can you upload the "standing on your head pose" in the foundations series. I so much enjoy every video of yours and especially the balance poses; "Yoga with Blue" are my favourite though 😀
Hugs and Kisses
Hi Adriene, Happy Friday! Quick question I have an exercise ball... Is it possible to use this as a prop for some poses? Do you recommend it or have any advice to integrate it into practice?
Loving your beginners videos as well as book club..I have also found the "balls" to join a local class. Just wish I had done it years ago! So thank you for inspiring me 🙂
Hi Adriene,
I felt compelled to send you a small note here. I've spent the last year (!) injured, ill, and downright depressed. I've been itching to return to my normal yoga classes, but felt really self conscious and weak. Thankfully, I found your videos on YouTube and I've been working my way back in the privacy of my living room with you as a terrific guide. I can't thank you enough for providing this service to me. Namaste!
Hi Adriene, I have been following your videos for awhile now. I discovered yoga when my life was forced to slow down following a breast cancer diagnosis at 31. Three years on and a relapse later, I am picking up the pieces and trying to build up a body broken down by gruesome treatments. Yoga has been my refuge and gave me such strength, focus and escape from everything happening in my life. I might have never had this time to discover how much I love it. Your videos are great and allow me to get back on the mat without overdoing it. I wondered if you thought about making a yoga video geared at breast cancer survivors as yoga has been shown to help through treatment and recovery. There are very few options out there on the internet. I find some of the movements are challenging post surgery so options with chatarunga for ex would be great. Thanks again for putting out fantastic energy and easy to follow videos. They have been my go to pick me up when I energy is running low. Kate from Norway
Hello Kate I am about to start breat cancer treatment and also would love Adrienne to do a video for us! Hope you are listening Adriene! And thankyou for all your free matierial its so generous and you are so uplifting! X
Hello Kate. I am a daily yoga/dressage/martial arts fan about to have surgery for breast cancer next week. Have you got any tips for videos that allowed you to get back to practice even when you did not have full mobility of one arm?
It sounds from your post that you liked into options in some detail...
Hi,
I have more of a general question and looking for some feedback. I started yoga last year to help with stress and it worked amazing. But I strained/ tore my Achilles tendon while doing downward dog. It took months to heal and know I want to get back into it but I don't want to re-injure it. I have been doing weekly yoga again and I can feel during routines that its tight and sore. Does anyone have advice or have had similar issues?
Your wonderful videos were so inspiring that I wrote a story this morning about the things that are helping me start my journey to a better self and your posts were a big part of the very start of my journey. So thank you. I've struggled with depression and anxiety and now I am on an exciting new path. I don't write this to make money or get hits, its just to share with anyone who also might be feeling lonely, lost, depressed, disengaged or just flat...
Here is my little story, you may want to read, or may not... either way 🙂 Have a great day.
http://theappletree11.blogspot.com.au/2014/07/beginning-my-journey-to-better-self.html
Yes it does! Having struggled with chronic anxiety for quite some time now I've struggled to find anything that helps, but this year things are starting to change. The first step was recognising that I have spent so much time fixating on the future that I've spent most of my life ignoring (let alone finding time to appreciate) the present. The second step was working out how to get out of that rut. I tried some basic mindfulness techniques to start with, but had trouble shifting my overactive-future-bound mindset; until I started yoga, my essential step three. While finding the physical movements therapeutic in themselves, using my body to assist my mindfulness training has also helped provide my practice with some much needed focus and me, some much needed reprieve. On that note, I just wanted to add a massive thanks to you, Adriene, as I've found your videos immensely helpful, and can't wait to see more!
Big love from Australia.
Mia
Hi Adriene,
Just wanted you to know that your videos are adored and loved on a daily basis all the way from Texas to the Isle of Wight, UK. I "practiced" yoga at this once-a-week class about 3 years ago where I'd show up, attempt a downward dog, stretch a bit, then gather my shoes and head home and not touch it again until the following week. You have changed all of that for me. I now feel connected and rejuvenated through watching your videos. I feel like it has opened up this whole new world (queue little mermaid music) and for that I am so so so so so grateful to you. Thank you from every little cell in my now slightly stretchier body.
Lots of Yogary Love,
Amber
Love Yoga w Adrienne and reccomend it for my patients often ( Ob gyn). I also would like to see a breast cancer focused class— upper trap, pec stretch — radiation changes — happy to consult on affected muscle groups! Thank u!!! Pam Hill, MD