Taking yoga classes at the hottest, hippest yoga studio in New York City can be daunting.

Everyone is so beautiful and so flexible and so intimidating!

This story is my experience at one of New York’s trendiest studios way back in 1997. It only got worse when the teacher asked us to do partner poses!

But one of New York’s most famous yogis saved the day, and taught me a big lesson on the real practice of yoga:
 
 

 

Lauren K. Walker runs the yoga program at Norwich University. Her article about teaching yoga there to military cadets was featured in The New York Times in April. You can find more of her work here.

 

 

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Ed: Kate Bartolotta