This morning, I finally had the chance to take Marvin’s class again, and it had been far too long! Between pregnancy, having a baby, and juggling childcare, my time for taking yoga classes outside of the ones I teach has become incredibly limited. But recently, Marvin started teaching the 9 AM Wednesday class—a class I used to teach regularly—so I was beyond excited for the opportunity to step back in as a student.
And wow, what an amazing class it was! Marvin’s voice, his dialogue, his kindness, his encouragement, and his thoughtful corrections guided me through those 75 minutes with such ease and presence. Beyond the physical practice, he sprinkled in profound wisdom and little insights that truly resonated with me. I love when yoga teachers take the time to deeply think about how they can uplift and support their students—not just physically, but mentally and emotionally as well. It was clear that Marvin maintains such a healthy and positive mindset, and his energy was inspiring.
By the time class ended, I felt so moved that I had to sit down and write about the lessons I took away. Here are five profound things I learned from Marvin this morning:
- Yogis Are Ageless
Marvin shared a story about a group of football players who had come to class with their grandfather the night before. While the young, athletic football players struggled through the practice, they were in awe of their grandfather’s effortless grace in the postures. The lesson? Yoga keeps you youthful. When you practice regularly, your body remains strong, flexible, and resilient—even into old age. It’s almost like reversing the aging process!
- Forgiveness is Freedom
“Forgiveness is for you, not for them.” Holding onto anger is like setting fire to your own vessel—it only hurts you. Whether or not someone deserves your forgiveness, choosing to release resentment frees your mind and heart from unnecessary suffering. It allows you to live in peace, unburdened by negativity.
- Pressure Creates Diamonds
Marvin compared the heat in the yoga room to the process of turning coal into a diamond. Just as extreme heat and pressure transform coal into something beautiful and strong, our yoga practice shapes and refines us over time. With consistent effort, we become more radiant—physically, mentally, and spiritually.
- The Hot Yoga Room is the Great Equalizer
The moment you step into the heated yoga room, all comparisons disappear. It doesn’t matter who you are, what you do, or how strong you think you are—everyone is equal in the face of the heat and the practice. Hot yoga has a way of humbling even the greatest athletes and lifting up those who feel defeated. In that space, we’re all just human, moving through the same struggles and breakthroughs together.
- “Everyone Has to Dance with Their Shadows”
At one point in class, Marvin said this phrase, and even though I can’t recall exactly why he said it, I loved it. It’s so true. We all have moments where we must face ourselves—our doubts, fears, and insecurities—and learn to move through them. Yoga gives us the space to meet our shadows, to acknowledge them, dance with them, and release them.
Post-Class Reflection
After class, as I drove home, I couldn’t stop thinking about how healing and therapeutic that experience was. The kindness Marvin showed, the love he extended to his students, the time he took to offer individual corrections, and the wisdom woven into his teaching—it all made for an unforgettable class.
In fact, it inspired me to take action in my own life. I called my partner—who I had argued with the day before—and we both apologized to each other. We told each other how much we love and appreciate our life together. That moment of healing, of connection, felt like the true power of yoga in action.
Mahalo, Marvin, for such an incredible class.