This January 1st marks the beginning of my 23rd year running a yoga studio in Frenchtown. Reflecting on who I was when I first opened Yoga Loka and who I am now, I’m struck by the profound transformations that have taken place. It reminds me of the shifting topography around me—the changing landscape of my body, the evolving climate, and the rapid advances in technology. Everything changes, as it always does.
Early on, I realized that one thing needing transformation was my perception of success. Before opening Yoga Loka, I was already running a small business, but turning yoga into a business brought an entirely new set of challenges. Yoga, at its core, teaches non-attachment—a sharp contrast to the realities of running a business where bills must be paid, and doors must remain open.
The bigger challenge, though, wasn’t balancing spreadsheets but quieting the persistent ego-mind whispering, “You have to do better.” Over the years, this has become a focal point of my practice: understanding how this voice influences my actions as a businessperson and learning to loosen its grip.
When attendance is lower than I expect, I remind myself of a simple truth: those who need to be here are here. My dharma is to teach, and all I can do is show up, fully present. If people come, it’s meant to be. If they don’t, that’s also meant to be.
I can confidently say that my decades of practice—30-plus years of wrestling with the ego-mind—are working. Sure, maturity and age might play their part, but the once-daunting “demon of too much/too little” no longer wins every match. What used to feel like bloody, knock-down, drag-out battles have softened into something closer to thumb wrestling—irritating but manageable. That’s what 22 years of consistent practice can do: attend to the desire for freedom with devotion and patience, and transformation will follow.
To everyone who has been part of this journey—those who have attended classes and even those who haven’t—you’ve all been part of my practice. Your presence (or absence) has shaped my sadhana.
I’m especially grateful for the ongoing transformation of how I measure success: shifting from bottom-line thinking to focusing on service. It’s a work in progress—things are still in flux, and I’m still practicing. But I hope that as participants in this journey, you’ve received as much as I have.
Here’s to continuing the practice, embracing change, and walking this path together.

Feeling Overwhelmed?If you’re finding it hard to focus, feeling weighed down by stress or anxiety, struggling to remember things like you used to, or feeling helpless and unsatisfied with the state of the world, it might be time to explore the spiritual aspects of yoga.

While physical self-care is essential (and yoga postures, or asanas, are fantastic for this), yoga goes beyond just the body. The ancient yogis teach us that we are comprised of multiple “bodies” or sheaths, known as koshas. These layers include:

• The Physical Body (Annamaya Kosha): It's obvious when this needs attention—stiffness, pain, or decreased strength and mobility are clear signs.
  
  
• The Energetic Body (Pranamaya Kosha): A lack of energy is one indicator, but subtle imbalances in this layer can go unnoticed, affecting how we feel and function.
  
  
• The Mental Body (Manomaya Kosha): This layer governs our thoughts and emotions. Stress, intrusive thoughts, inability to focus, and worry are signs it may need support.
  
  

These layers are deeply interconnected. For example, recall an awkward or uncomfortable moment from your recent past. Close your eyes and notice how your body reacts—does your chest tighten? Is your breathing shallow? This demonstrates how the mind influences the body and energy, often in an instant.

Similarly, environments can quickly shift our energy and mind. Imagine walking into a chaotic, crowded store with blaring holiday music. The energy of the space can leave you feeling scattered, and by the time you return home, you’re exhausted and wondering why you bought things you didn’t need.

Why Addressing Stress Holistically MattersIf stress is affecting your body (high blood pressure, low immunity, digestive issues, or sleep problems), exercise can help to a degree. However, using physical activity alone can feel like endlessly bailing water from a leaky boat without fixing the hole. Yoga’s spiritual practices address the root cause, helping you restore harmony across all layers of your being.

Begin Your Journey to Holistic WellnessCan 2025 be the year you "fix your boat" and explore yoga beyond the physical? Dive into the upcoming offerings below and discover practices designed to support not just your body, but also your energy and mind.

We have so many opportunities to enter to the spiritual side of yoga coming up, so take a look at the offerings below and see if anything calls to you.