Mantra “I release what weighs me down, I embrace the strength in my solitude, and I find joy in the light that shines within me.”

“Topic 1 – True joy isn’t found in external things; it lives within us.”

Reflection:

There was a man in search of a light. He traveled far and wide, chasing this elusive glow that always seemed just out of reach—over the next hill, around the next bend. No matter how fast he ran or how tirelessly he searched, the light evaded him. It wasn’t until his final days, as he lay in stillness, that he realized the truth: the light he had sought was never out there. It had been within him all along, waiting quietly for him to look inward.

Joy is not something we seek externally but a state we cultivate within ourselves. A child finds joy in the simplest things—a splash of water, a bird in the sky. By embracing presence, we reconnect with our innate joy.

“Happiness is not having what you want. It is appreciating what you have.” – Anonymous

“There is no path to happiness: happiness is the path.” – Thích Nhất Hạnh“Happiness is not something ready-made. It comes from your own actions.” – Dalai Lama

“The foolish man seeks happiness in the distance; the wise grows it under his feet.” – James Oppenheim

Practice Prompt:

Smile intentionally during your practice. Reflect on the joy your body feels in movement and stillness.

“Learning to unlearn is the highest form of learning.”

Reflection:
You cannot teach someone who believes they already know, just as you cannot wake someone pretending to sleep. True learning begins with humility—the courage to question what you think you know and the openness to revisit long-held beliefs. How might letting go of certainty create space for deeper understanding and growth?

Practice Prompt:
During your practice, approach each pose as if for the first time. Let go of expectations or preconceived notions about how it should look or feel. Embrace curiosity and a beginner’s mindset, discovering the practice anew.

Mantra:
“With openness and humility, I make space for true learning.”

Topic 2 – If something cost you peace of mind it is simply too expensive

“Letting go of what disrupts your peace is not a loss; it is a courageous step toward growth and harmony. Sometimes, we hold on to things—relationships, habits, even thoughts—that weigh us down because we fear the emptiness that might follow. But that emptiness is not a void; it is fertile ground. By releasing what no longer serves us, we make room for clarity, for strength, and for the joy of simply being at peace with ourselves.”

“Think of a hot air balloon tethered to the ground by ropes. The ropes represent the relationships, habits, or thoughts that no longer serve you. To rise higher, you must release the ropes. Each release is not a loss but a moment of freedom, allowing the balloon to soar and take you to new heights of clarity and peace. Letting go is how we give ourselves permission to elevate.”

“You can’t reach for anything new if your hands are still full of yesterday’s junk.” – Louise Smith

“When I let go of what I am, I become what I might be.” – Lao Tzu

“The root of suffering is attachment.” – Buddha

“Letting go gives us freedom, and freedom is the only condition for happiness.” – Thích Nhất Hạnh

Topic 3 – The Value of Alone Time

Theme: Being alone is not loneliness but an opportunity to rediscover ourselves, especially during the holidays.

Metaphor:
Think of a seed buried in the winter earth. It is alone, unseen, and seemingly dormant. But in that solitude, it is absorbing nutrients, gathering strength, and preparing to sprout. Our alone time is like that winter—quiet but full of potential.

A caterpillar must endure a season of solitude, before its wing emerge and it can fly.

Quotes:

“Loneliness is the poverty of self; solitude is the richness of self.” – May Sarton

“In the silence of being alone, the universe speaks to you.” – Eckhart Tolle

“Be alone, that is the secret of invention; be alone, that is when ideas are born.” – Nikola Tesla

“A time of solitude is a moment to connect deeply with who you are.” – Anonymous

You can encourage students to see their alone time as a gift, a chance to cultivate growth and self-awareness, much like their yoga practice.

“The battle you face isn’t caused by the actions of others but by the power your mind gives to them. Don’t let them live rent-free in your head—reclaim your peace.”

Reflection:
Reflect on the energy and attention you give to situations or people that disrupt your peace. Are they truly the cause of your struggle, or does your focus on them amplify the challenge? Consider how reclaiming your mental space can restore balance and clarity.

Practice Prompt:
During your practice, focus on letting go of thoughts that weigh you down. With each exhale, visualize releasing the hold these thoughts have over you. Allow your practice to become a space of renewal, where peace replaces unnecessary mental clutter.

Mantra:
“I release what does not serve my peace and reclaim my mental space.”

Topic 4 – Tying it all together

“As we close this year, let’s reflect on the wisdom of letting go, the strength we find in our own company, and the profound truth that happiness has always been within us. The end of the year invites us to pause and release what no longer serves our peace, to sit with ourselves and find wisdom in solitude, and to remember that we are the source of our own light. By integrating these practices, we create space to step into the new year lighter, clearer, and ready to rise into our highest selves.”

Metaphor:
“Imagine your life as a lantern. Throughout the year, soot and debris may have gathered on the glass, dimming your light. By letting go of what disrupts your peace, you clean the glass. By embracing alone time, you tend to the flame. By seeking happiness within, you discover that your light was never lost—it was simply waiting to shine brightly again. Now, as the year ends, you hold your lantern high, illuminating your path forward with clarity and strength.”

Quotes:
“And suddenly you know: It’s time to start something new and trust the magic of beginnings.” – Meister Eckhart

“Let go of what has passed. Let go of what may come. Let go of what is happening now. Don’t try to figure anything out. Relax, right now, and rest.” – Tilopa

“Happiness is not out there, it’s in you.” – Anonymous

“Solitude is where I place my chaos to rest and awaken my inner peace.” – Nikki Rowe

“Sometimes we must let go of what we planned to find the life that is waiting for you” Joseph Cambell