Strengthen the Body, Quiet the Mind: My Experience with Power Yoga
Empowerment + Motivational Speech + Yoga = Power Yoga
Imagine attending an empowering, motivational seminar while doing yoga at the same time. That’s Power Yoga!
Power Yoga (excerpt from Yoga Barn’s website):
“Power Yoga is about freedom and discovery. This style of yoga was born from a traditional ashtanga-style practice resulting in sun salutation and vinyasa (a smooth way that asana/poses flow together) sequencing throughout the practice. Intended as a moving meditation, it focuses the mind to override self-imposed limitations through the flow of vinyasa, opening the body into deep poses and strengthening it for more advanced holds.”
A lot of people queued up for this class—I had a feeling it would be busy, so I went early this time to make sure I didn’t miss out. Most of the people there seemed super fit, confident, outgoing, chatting away, and just really positive.
It felt very “American” to me, in the best way. As a North European, I’m more used to environments that are quieter and more reserved, where people tend to keep to themselves a bit more. It’s just a cultural difference, and honestly, I find it fascinating.
There’s something so admirable about the way they carry themselves—so sure, confident, and at ease in their own skin. I wonder what it must feel like to be that relaxed and unapologetically yourself. To not second-guess or hold back, or feel like you need to tone yourself down to be likable.
First Impressions
Paul, the teacher, was wearing a headset and welcoming everyone in this super positive and excited way. I felt a bit like an outcast, as I usually do—that’s my pattern.
Then this super grumpy-looking guy wearing a hoodie showed up and slapped his mat onto the floor right next to me. He snapped it open and looked like he’d just woken up and really didn’t want to be there. To be honest, I was relieved. Someone else who wasn’t all pumped-up positivity like the rest of the room!
A Surprising Start
I’d come in expecting a super intense, fast-paced, strength-building class—it is called Power Yoga, after all. And looking at how fit everyone else was, it just made sense to assume that.
Paul started the class by addressing that exact assumption. He said:
“Most of you probably think this is going to be a super powered-up, sweat-your-ass-off kind of class. And yes, that’s part of it, but there’s so much more.”
He explained how the practice is not just about strengthening your body, but also about learning to quiet your mind so you can focus on what you’re passionate about and create beautiful things in the world.
“Strengthen the body and quiet the mind so you can focus on the things you are passionate about and create beautiful things for this world.”
The Power of Yoga
It’s why I love yoga so much. I feel like yoga addresses human body optimization as a whole. It can get you really fit—I mean, just look at the yogis who attend classes regularly—they’re fit AF (I love a beautiful yoga bod!).
But it’s not just about that. Yoga also focuses on quieting the mind—meditation and mindfulness. Plus, flexibility, breath, calming the nervous system, massaging the organs, balance, focus, to name a few.
Once again, I experienced the power of encouragement. I first felt it in my very first Kundalini class a few weeks ago—it moved me so deeply, it made me cry. I felt it again on New Year’s Eve when I was having such resistance to going out and socializing, and my friend said the most powerful, beautiful, encouraging words to me. It completely changed my state.
And now, I felt it again in Paul’s class. I was so impressed by the way he carried the entire session and how he encouraged us. He said:
“Remember that this is an all-levels class, so just do as much as you can and do what feels right for you.”
He followed that with:
“My job is to challenge you, but also to make sure everyone stays safe.”
Those words struck me. I felt so cared for, supported, and yet lovingly encouraged.
It gave me that tough love kind of feeling—that mix of belief and support that pushes you to do more than you think you’re capable of. It made me feel powerful, like, Hey, even if I feel tired and think I can’t, I actually can—because I’m strong.
The Power of Encouragement
It got me thinking about how much of a difference it makes to have that kind of encouragement and support in your life every day, especially from your closest loved ones. How strong, confident, and capable must someone feel when they grow up surrounded by that? And imagine all the things they’re able to set out to achieve in life compared to someone who’s had little to no emotional support or encouragement at all.
This is why I try not to compare my journey to anyone else’s success. We don’t know their backstory—what their childhood was like, the environment they grew up in, or how much love, support, encouragement, and resources they had that helped them get to where they are.
We just don’t know the depths of another person’s story.
The Power of Community
In that class, I also started to feel so much love and respect for everyone in there with me, going through the same tough class. I felt proud of them—of us. That we showed up, that we take care of ourselves, that we’re all doing the hard thing so our bodies can be strong and happy.
I felt so much compassion and respect for all of us there.
There is so much power in community. Intellectually, I already know that—I’ve known it for a long time—but I still almost experience it as something new every time I’m part of something like this.
It’s healing for us, physically and mentally, to be in a healthy, supportive, uplifting, positive environment and community. We’re not meant to live alone; it’s making us ill.
The Power of Our Environment
I’m realizing more and more that if I want to become fitter, healthier, more confident, and create my own digital brand and business, I have to put myself in environments surrounded by people like that—people who are already embodying the skills and qualities I dream of and work toward. Even though it might feel super uncomfortable at first.
We become our environment, whether we like it or not. Humans conform and adapt to their surroundings—it’s a survival thing, something innate that we can’t escape.
Developing Confidence
Self-esteem comes from doing challenging things, persevering, and staying committed even when it gets tough. By facing those hard moments head-on—“eating death cookies” as Erick Godsey would say—we build self-respect and confidence.
“My self-esteem is high because I honor who I am.”
You know that feeling when you meet someone who’s done something incredible, even when it was hard? You think, Wow, you did that. Respect! Well, you can give that same respect to yourself.
Think of all the hard things you’ve done and overcome. Praise yourself for them. And next time you face a tough challenge and get through it, remember this and say it to yourself: Respect!
Conclusion
The class was actually really well-paced. It wasn’t as pumping as I’d imagined it would be. The movements and flow were all about being present, balanced, and focused. I loved it so much I put it in my calendar every Sunday!
It felt like a mix between a yoga class and a motivational seminar. By the end, I felt so uplifted and confident, yet totally calm and at peace—my favorite combo to embody! That perfect balance of calm confidence and enthusiasm for the day ahead.
The music playlist was super chill—I loved it. I wish I could’ve Shazam’d the whole thing! And then, during savasana, Paul played this beautiful melody on his guitar for us. At first, with my eyes shut, I thought it was just part of the playlist. But then I realized it was him playing live. I kind of started to have a little crush on him by the end of it, I’m not going to lie 😇
“Strengthen the body, soften the heart, quiet the mind and surround yourself with a positive, uplifting, supportive community.”
If you haven’t tried Power Yoga yet, I highly recommend getting to a class ASAP and experiencing it for yourself! I feel like I’ve found my favorite style of yoga—it powers you up physically and mentally all at once.
Here’s to YOUR INNER POWER! ✨
Sending love,
Keiu
Resources:
https://poweryoga.com/ USA, founder Bryan Kest
https://www.elementsofpoweryoga.com/ Power Yoga Studio in Bali
https://www.instagram.com/teodoyogaguitar Paul Teodo’s Instagram
https://theyogabarn.com/ The Yoga Barn in Bali, Ubud