Results of a 22 year practice

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.