Mantra:
“I trust the journey, honor my path, and embrace the balance of movement and stillness within and around me.”

Topic 1 – “The Dance of Movement and Stillness”

Opening Talk:
“Rumi said, ‘In order to understand the dance, one must be still. And in order to truly understand stillness, one must dance.’ Life, like yoga, is a balance between movement and stillness.

Often we get so caught up in the noise around us, that forget to pay attention to the silence as well. Movement lets us explore, express, and expand, while stillness helps us listen, reflect, and restore. One cannot truly exist without the other. Tonight, we’ll explore the interplay between flowing sequences and moments of pause, learning to move with intention and rest with presence. Together, we’ll find harmony between these two energies within ourselves.”

Metaphor:
“Think of a song. Without notes, there’s no melody, and without the spaces between them, there’s no rhythm. Movement and stillness are like the notes and the pauses—they work together to create the music of life.”

Supporting Quotes:

“The pause is as important as the note.” – Truman Fisher

“Stillness is not the absence of movement but the gateway to clarity.” – Unknown

“Flow with the energy of life, but remember to pause and realign.” – Anonymous

“Life is a dance. Mindfulness is witnessing that dance.” – Amit Ray

Topic 2: “Walking Your Own Path”

Opening Talk:
“The Buddha said, ‘No one saves us but ourselves. No one can and no one may. We ourselves must walk the path.’ Growth and transformation are deeply personal journeys. Others can inspire or guide us, but the steps forward are ours to take. Yoga reflects this truth—each breath and pose is an opportunity for self-discovery. By showing up on the mat, you’re choosing to trust yourself and your journey. Tonight, let’s honor the courage it takes to walk your own path with strength and trust.”

Metaphor:
“Imagine you’re climbing a mountain. Guides can suggest the best route, but only you can take the steps. Every step, no matter how small, brings you closer to the summit. Your journey is uniquely yours.”

Supporting Quotes:

“The journey of a thousand miles begins with a single step.” – Lao Tzu

“You are the author of your own story.” – Unknown

“Your path is your own, tread it boldly.” – Anonymous

“We can’t change the direction of the wind, but we can adjust our sails.” – Jimmy Dean

Topic 3: “The Company We Keep”

“We carry pieces of everyone we spend time with. Their energy influences our thoughts, emotions, and actions. This is why it’s so important to choose our company wisely. Do the relationships in your life uplift and inspire you, or do they leave you feeling drained? Tonight, let’s use our practice to reflect on the connections we nurture. How can you strengthen bonds that align with your values and release those that no longer serve you? On the mat, we’ll focus on creating balance, clarity, and space for what truly matters.”

Metaphor:
Imagine your life as a symphony. The people you spend time with are the instruments in your orchestra. Some add harmony and depth, creating beautiful music, while others play out of tune, disrupting the balance. By carefully choosing who to keep in your symphony, you ensure that the melody of your life remains uplifting and inspiring.

Supporting Quotes:

“Surround yourself with only people who are going to lift you higher.” – Oprah Winfrey

“You are the average of the five people you spend the most time with.” – Jim Rohn

“Energy is contagious, so surround yourself with people who inspire you.” – Unknown

“In the company of those you love, everything grows.” – Unknown

Topic 4 – Life is your mirror

“Everything that irritates us about others can lead us to a deeper understanding of ourselves.” – Carl Jung

Tonight, explore during your practice how our interactions with others can teach us about ourselves. Imagine holding a crystal—when light shines through it, you can see cracks or flaws that you couldn’t see before. Those cracks were always there, but the light helps you notice them. In the same way, the things that bother us about others often show us something within ourselves that needs attention or care. Instead of pushing those feelings away, we can use them to grow. On the mat, let’s stay grounded and reflect with curiosity and kindness.

Supporting Quotes:

“What you dislike in another, take care to correct in yourself.” – Thomas Sprat

“Everything that irritates us about others can lead us to an understanding of ourselves.” – Carl Jung

“We do not see things as they are, we see them as we are.” – Anaïs Nin

“The world is a mirror, forever reflecting what you are doing within yourself.” – Neville Goddard

Topic 5: Tonight’s Yoga Class: “Wandering to Find Yourself”

Opening Talk:
“Reflect on the idea that sometime, just when you feel really lost, you discover something beautiful. Wandering isn’t about being lost—it’s about discovery and growth. As the saying goes, ‘Just because I am a wanderer doesn’t mean I’m lost.’ In yoga, we embrace the journey rather than fixating on the destination. Losing ourselves in the flow of movement or breath often leads us back to our center. Sometimes, stepping away from the familiar allows us to find new parts of ourselves. Tonight, trust the process and allow the path to unfold.”

Metaphor:
“Imagine walking through a forest with no map. You might feel unsure at first, but as you explore, you notice the beauty of the trees, the light filtering through, and the sounds of nature. In wandering, you discover things you wouldn’t have seen if you stuck to a defined path.”

Supporting Quotes:

“Not all those who wander are lost.” – J.R.R. Tolkien

“Sometimes you find yourself in the middle of nowhere, and sometimes, in the middle of nowhere, you find yourself.” – Unknown

“The best way to find yourself is to lose yourself in the service of others.” – Mahatma Gandhi

“The journey itself is my home.” – Matsuo Basho

The Story of the Two Monks and the River

Two Buddhist monks were traveling together, a senior monk and a novice. Along their journey, they came to a wide, rushing river where a woman stood helplessly on the bank. She asked the monks if they could help her cross, as the current was too strong for her.

The senior monk immediately lifted the woman onto his shoulders and carried her across the river. Once they reached the other side, the woman thanked him and went on her way.

The novice monk, however, was disturbed. Hours later, as they continued their journey in silence, he couldn’t contain himself any longer. “How could you carry her across the river? We are monks and are not supposed to touch women!”

The senior monk calmly replied, “I put her down on the riverbank hours ago. Why are you still carrying her?”

This story highlights the importance of letting go—of judgments, attachments, and the weight of what no longer serves us. It mirrors the themes in your class, such as releasing irritation to find self-understanding, stepping out of comfort zones, and trusting the balance between movement (carrying the woman) and stillness (letting her go).