How do you do it? I get this question so often by my fellow lawyers, and friends and family alike. How do you find the time to teach yoga, practice law, and take care of everything else?  The truth is, I do practice every day, but it’s not how you think. The secret is balanced action. 

For me, this means that some days I need a strong power yoga practice, other days a gentle or restorative practice, and other days no asana practice at all. On other days still, my yoga practice is focused entirely on meditation, which might look like a 45-minute deep session, just 3 short minutes at my desk, or take the form of a walking meditation with Kelly, my Basset Hound.  Postural yoga, or yoga asana, is just one dimension of modern yoga, which embraces a “householder” tradition, meaning that for the modern person, practicing yoga isn’t about being a renunciate, but about being a weaver, if you will, being the one who knows herself and has healed herself so that she has the confidence to weave all that she is into how she shows up in the world to live a more joyful, enlightened, impactful, and conscious life.  

Yoga is literally translated as to yolk, or to come together and make whole, to be as one, and means that there is no separation, inside or out, above or below.  I keep this in mind in all that I do (yes, even in litigation) as a way to create connection, rather than separation in the world around me.  It helps me to feel more connected, and less lonely in our adversarial legal system and when life gets hard.  

Using oneness as a backdrop, the concept of Agni, or inner fire, also informs my balanced-action approach to life. Ancient Ayurvedic yogic philosophy teaches that there is an inner digestive fire inside each of us, that influences our lives. This inner fire is influenced by not only what we eat, but all that we digest – our thoughts, toxins, environments, media, and people.  When maintained in a balanced state, like a warm, glowing fire that has just the right amount of wood and air and coals to keep it burning brightly, our lives are harmonious and easeful, and possibilities seem endless.  But, when what we digest causes our inner fire to burn so hot that it becomes out of control, we feel that excessive heat in our relationships and consumption patterns, and we grasp – we grasp for more things to feed a fire that cannot be satiated. At the other end of the spectrum, when we fail to engage fully with our lives across all dimensions, our inner fire loses its fuel, and the light becomes dim and cool. Keeping my inner fire at a soft, warm and sustainable glow, also means tuning out excessive news, media, and even people, not overindulging in certain foods or alcohol, and being intentional about my sleep habits.  

The magic of a yoga practice comes then, when we intentionally engage with our lives and all that we digest in a way that promotes balance and wholeness inside and out.  Mahatma Gandhi is quoted as having said, “My life is my message.” Similarly, I often encourage my students to allow their life to become their practice, rather than the other way around. I offer the same advice to my fellow lawyers.  

Over time, this yogic balanced action approach to life will come to permeate all that you digest, literally and figuratively, and you will miraculously find the time to practice. Why? Because your mat will be where you go to regenerate, stoke or cool your inner flame, and be the one constant that brings you into harmony with all that you do.   

Beyond this philosophical approach, which is so foundational, I also want to offer you some practical advice on how to start or sustain a yoga practice as a busy modern-day householder: 

Tips on Starting & Sustaining a Yoga Practice as a busy Modern-day Householder:

Stop making excuses and just do it. Exercise. Seriously. Start with one yoga class a week – virtual or in person – and go every week – don’t think about it. As time passes, the benefits of just that one class will add up. Small Changes + Time = Lasting Change.   

Find a style of yoga fits your goals: Choices range from hatha, vinyasa, power, restorative, warm, hot, Ashtanga, Iyengar, or another forms. There is a style for everyone at every age and at every fitness level. 

Find a yoga teacher that resonates with you:  Every yoga teacher has his or her own style, voice and skill level – find one that you connect with personally.  

Invest in a good quality yoga mat and props: If you like power or vinyasa yoga, get a sticky mat. If you like restorative or yin yoga, get an extra cushiony mat. If eco-friendly is important, a cork mat is your best choice!  A yogi’s mat often becomes sacred space, so choose wisely! 

Use yoga props:  Props help you to experience the essence of the pose while respecting that your body may need time to open and strengthen. Props keep us honest with ourselves and remind us that it’s ok to ask for help when we need it.  

Practice with an open mind and an open heart.  

Lastly, believe that you are worth the time and effort of your yoga practice. There is nothing more important than your personal wellness and the benefits of a regular yoga practice will manifest both on and off your mat. Whether you put a tag on this perspective as self-care, self-compassion, or self-awareness doesn’t matter, what does matter is that you know your own self-worth. You are worth the investment!