The Pose That Changed Everything: Why Practicing at Home Still Matters

I attended my first yoga class in Greenfield, Indiana back in the mid-nineties. Seems like forever ago, and while it’s true quite a bit of time has passed since then, I can still remember it vividly.

I was with my boyfriend at the time, visiting his mom—who turned out to be my first yoga teacher, Jeri Lee Lucas. Jeri Lee had a key to a door within me I didn’t know was locked. Little did I know, that class changed the trajectory of my life. She sent me home with several books and the desire to learn more.

Learning One Pose at a Time

I was in my early 20s and had just moved to Chicago. I was so motivated by that one class. I started reading about and practicing one yoga pose a day from B.K.S. Iyengar’s Light on Yoga.

I had no idea about sequencing the postures—or even if I was doing them “correctly.”

All I had to go on was how the postures felt in my body. And with each pose I added, I became familiar with the ones that brought me relief, challenged me, or were just fun to try.

Eventually, I made it to a led class (a story for another time). But even between those classes, I kept exploring. I’d add in the new poses I learned in class and return again and again to the ones I knew helped me feel better.

Why Time on Your Own Still Matters

We can learn so much from group classes—the language a teacher uses, the structure of the sequence, the energy of moving together. There’s something comforting about sharing space and breath with others.

But carving out even a few minutes for yourself—to move, to breathe, to listen—can strengthen the internal conversation between body, mind, and spirit.

It can keep your practice feeling inspired, evolving, personal.

I’ve found that the evening, right before sleep, is a time that works for many. The day has settled. The house is quieter. You’ve digested your last meal. It’s a natural time to disconnect from the outer world and tune inward.

Create Your Own Ritual

If you already have a few postures or practices you love—ones that bring you relief, or just feel really good in your body—try giving yourself space to revisit them regularly. It doesn’t have to be long. Five to ten minutes is a powerful start.

And it doesn’t always have to be postures. It could be a breathing technique, a visualization, or even just lying in stillness for a few moments to reset.

If you’re new to yoga and uncertain where to begin, let your led classes guide you. Ask your teacher. Or dust off that yoga book you love. You might be surprised how far one posture can take you.

Your Practice, Your Time

This week, consider setting aside just a few minutes for home practice.
No pressure, no perfect sequence—just time to reconnect with what feels good and true in your body.

📖 Revisit a posture you remember.
🧘‍♀️ Try one thing you learned in class.
🛏️ Settle into stillness before bed.

Yoga begins when we start listening. And sometimes, the quiet of our own space is exactly where we hear the most.