Kindness & Humility

This week, I’ve been reflecting on the power of kindness and humility, something the yoga practice teaches us daily. While looking after a friend’s cat last week, I noticed a note on the fridge with a quote from the Dalai Lama: “My religion is simple. It’s kindness.” This resonated with me deeply, and I was reminded of it again during a call in preparation for an upcoming intensive with my teachers, Mary Taylor and Richard Freeman, in Lisbon. Despite their combined 100+ years of teaching experience, they surprised me with their humility. When I shared my background in assisting classes and bodywork, Mary responded with a simple yet beautiful comment: “You might know more than we do.”

Her words made me smile and left me in awe. To hear someone with such vast experience speak with such genuine humility was a powerful reminder of how grounded true mastery can be. No matter where we are in our journey, yoga has a way of humbling us daily. It holds up a mirror that reflects both our strengths and our weaknesses, inviting us to be honest with ourselves about what we excel at and where we still need to grow.

But humility goes beyond self-reflection—it extends outward. When we are humble and kind to ourselves, we naturally create space for others to be seen, to share, and to grow alongside us. In this way, humility is not just a personal practice; it’s a quiet, yet profound gift we offer to the world. Just like a butterfly’s wings can stir up a hurricane, small acts kindness and humility can ripple out in ways we might never expect, creating lasting impact.

So as you step onto your mat this week: Be kind to yourself in the process, and know that this kindness will reach far beyond your practice and consider offering any benefit that might come from this practice freely away to others.