Sweat, Tears, and Forearm Stands

I still can't believe it. I’ve just completed my very first yoga workshop, and let me tell you, it was nothing short of an eye-opener. It’s one of those moments in life that makes you stop and say, “Wow, I did that.” This workshop had me working on things I never thought I could even attempt—things like inversion and backbends. And guess what? It turns out I’m way stronger than I gave myself credit for.

The entire experience was like a dream. I’ve always been a fan of yoga, but I’ve also had my fair share of doubts about pushing my limits. Inversions and backbends have always been a little scary for me, especially when I saw people gliding into these poses so effortlessly. But after just one workshop, I’m starting to realize that maybe I’ve been underestimating myself all along.

The forearm stand with the help of wall in wonder

Let’s talk about the journey. I mean, here I was, still struggling with a handstand (yes, the one pose I’ve been chasing for what feels like forever), but then—boom! Out of nowhere, I found myself doing a forearm stand. Me! Doing a forearm stand! Talk about progress. I seriously never thought I’d get this far this quickly. It was like a switch flipped, and suddenly, my body was like, “Okay, let’s do this.”

I owe a huge part of this breakthrough to my amazing teacher, Melvin. If you’ve never experienced his classes, let me tell you: he’s a force to be reckoned with. This man is intense—but in the best possible way. That hour-long warm-up? Oh, trust me, it’s not for the faint of heart. It’s hardcore. I was sweating buckets, my muscles were screaming at me, but guess what? It worked. It worked in ways I never expected. All that intense warm-up laid the foundation for my body to open up, and before I knew it, I was confidently exploring poses I thought were years away.

It wasn’t just about the poses, though. This workshop was about pushing my mental barriers. Yoga isn’t just about strength and flexibility—it’s about trust. Trust in your body, trust in your teacher, and most importantly, trust in the process. There were moments when I wanted to give up, moments when I questioned if I could really do this. But each time I felt that resistance, I remembered why I started yoga in the first place—to grow, to learn, and to embrace my body’s potential.

The energy in the room was infectious. I wasn’t the only one struggling to balance or holding my breath in a backbend. We were all in it together. Everyone had their own challenges, their own victories. That’s the beauty of yoga: it’s a personal journey, yet there’s something so powerful about sharing that space with others. The support from the other participants made me realize that we’re all on our own paths, but we can still help each other reach new heights. I can’t explain the feeling of accomplishment when you look around and see others doing their best too, even when things get tough. It’s a reminder that we’re all human, and we’re all learning, growing, and evolving at our own pace.

And let’s not forget the aftermath—the soreness. Oh, I definitely felt it. But you know what? It was a good kind of soreness. The kind that makes you feel like you’re on the brink of something big. Like, “I did something today that my body didn’t know it was capable of.” And as sore as I was, I knew that with time and consistency, I’d only keep getting stronger. It was like the beginning of a new chapter in my yoga practice, one where I trust myself more and embrace the challenges with an open heart.

One of the things that stood out the most was how important it is to have the right mentor in your yoga journey. @fitmelvin isn’t just a teacher—he’s a guide. He sees potential in his students even when they don’t see it in themselves. His guidance, the way he pushes me, and the way he encourages me to keep going, even when it feels impossible, has made all the difference. It’s not just about learning poses; it’s about learning to trust, learning to let go of fear, and learning to trust your body’s wisdom.

Looking back, it’s wild to think how far I’ve come. Just a little while ago, I couldn’t imagine doing an inversion without feeling nervous. And now, I’m tackling forearm stands like it’s no big deal. It’s progress. It’s small victories. But more than anything, it’s a reminder that the yoga journey isn’t about rushing to the end goal. It’s about the moments in between—the moments of doubt, the moments of triumph, and the moments where you just surrender to the practice.

So, here I am, still working on that handstand, still pushing my boundaries, but knowing that every little step forward counts. Whether it’s the smallest shift in my backbend or finally nailing a forearm stand, it’s progress—and it’s progress I can be proud of. And to Melvin, thank you for being the person who believed in me, even when I couldn’t believe in myself. You’re a big reason why I’m where I am today, and I’m excited for the journey ahead.

To anyone who’s thinking of trying a workshop, whether it’s for yoga or any other form of growth, I say go for it. You never know what you’re capable of until you try. Don’t let fear hold you back, and don’t let self-doubt stop you from taking that next step. Who knows? You might surprise yourself.

And who knows, maybe next time I’ll be writing a post about finally nailing that handstand! 😊