The Practical Life Mantra I Got From Yoga Teacher Training

March 10, 2025

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By Holly Trantham

As some of you reading this know, I started a yoga teacher training program back in January, which goes until June, meaning I’m currently right in the middle of it. So far, it has been a great way to meet and bond with new people with whom I share a love of this practice, but it’s also been an overwhelming amount of information. Between learning about anatomy and safe practices, to the actual breakdown of specific asanas, to the philosophy and various tools of yoga and yogic systems, I am only now starting to really think about how I’ll be able to incorporate all of this into actually leading a practice. 

This past weekend, we started diving into The Yoga Sutras of Patanjali; they have been translated from their original Sanskrit countless times, and are still very much up for interpretation, but essentially they are fluid guidelines (not religious doctrine) for practicing yoga. That they hold such different meanings across different schools and translations is kind of beautiful to me. And there is one in particular (sutra 1.2, if you’re interested) that has been sticking with me ever since my class discussion:

“The restraint of the modifications of the mind-stuff is Yoga.”

(I know this is getting into woo-woo territory for a TFD newsletter, but bear with me!)

In our discussion, my classmates and I were tasked with dissecting this. We determined that “mind-stuff” could refer to any kind of thoughts, while “modifications” could refer to trying to control or direct our thoughts. “Restraint” when in reference to “modifications of the mind-stuff” would not mean trying to stop or clear our thoughts, but rather to allow them to just be — thoughts, and nothing more. 

In other words: If you are allowing your thoughts to pass without controlling them or letting them control you, you are practicing yoga. If you are continuing to put in effort despite your negative thoughts or limiting beliefs, you are practicing yoga.

I recognize that a yoga practice is not for everyone, nor is it by any means at the base of the hierarchy of needs pyramid. Mindfulness practice is a big ask of anyone in this day and age, let alone those struggling to find work or make ends meet. But I started this training because when I am dedicating more time to practicing yoga (yes, the mindfulness aspect, but also the physical practice!), I feel more connected to myself, and more able to handle the inevitable stress of life. Philosophical teachings like sutra 1.2 don’t just apply to a yoga practice, in my opinion: they can be guidelines for dealing with what life throws at you, from overwhelmingly busy periods to financial stress.

For me, this practice currently looks like leaving my [redacted] investment accounts alone and continuing on with my savings goals despite the major dips the market is currently going through. It means accepting that some major life changes on my horizon (which I’ll talk about more with you all soon, I promise) are going to disrupt the years-long habits I’ve built for myself, and adjusting those habits in the face of this, rather than abandoning them altogether. It means still putting in effort towards my fitness goals despite the intrusive thoughts telling me there’s no point, since I’ll never look like a fitness model. It means committing, over and over, to local political movements and mutual aid efforts in spite of the voice in the back of my head telling me the world is hopeless. 

I do not think yoga specifically is the answer for everyone, but putting words to this practice has been helpful for me recently, so I wanted to share it. Effort may not guarantee an outcome, but it guarantees a shot at it, and that is reason enough to try. 

I’m a huge fan of a Period Piece and just discovered The Empress on Netflix. It’s spicy, has a strong female lead, and is visually stunning. If you like Bridgerton but are cool with a little less romance and a bit more historical context, this is a great show!

I just got this new rug from Target to go under my dining table and I love it so much! We’ve lived in our current apartment for 5 years and the previous rug was a very millennial grayish farmhouse look which (1) does not match the evolving style of our home and (2) went through the baby stage with my son, so it had seen better days. I am a big supporter of high-low mixes, so while our dining table and chairs were investment pieces, something like a rug is an easy item to switch out, and makes a big difference in the feel of a room.

Makeup and skincare are very personal choices, but I can’t let my recs week go by without a k-beauty recommendation. Depending on the time of year, I change up my moisturizer, and in the winter, I definitely need more hydration. I also hate feeling greasy, though, and discovered belif aqua bomb when I was given a sample while walking through a department store sometime last year. I love it because it feels lightweight — almost like a mix of cream and gel, and keeps my skin super hydrated. I also have acne-prone skin and have never had an issue.

✨Join us for our next Society workshop, Your Money Under Trump, on March 31st, hosted by friend of TFD and investing expert, Amanda Holden! This event will cover investing strategy, “ethical” investing, understanding investment markets, as well as social security and financial planning, specifically in these chaotic times. Amanda will answer all of your biggest questions including: Should you invest right now?, How should your portfolio be positioned?, What else can you do to protect yourself financially?, What is going on with Social Security?, How can we use personal privilege and power to build something better for all? and more! Join The Society Premium to register!

🎙️We’re excited to share our latest podcast capsule series, LOVE IS BLIND, BUT MONEY TALKS. This 5-part series is co-hosted by Holly & TFD’s Content & Production Manager (and overall amazing person), Alexa. The first 3 episodes are now available for Society Premium members! In this series they’re deep diving into Love Is Blind season 8 as well as previous seasons, who we adored, who we may need to warm up to, why money and political conversations should be featured more in (and out of!) the pods, and how the show has proven that love really isn’t blind. The next episode drops this Friday!

🎥 ICYMI: Make sure to check out our latest video essay, It's Not Left Or Right, It's Up Or Down. This video is a deep dive into why Americans are obsessed with rich people including how its taking over our government and impacting our day-to-day lives. It’s another banger! And a reminder that $4.99 and up members of the ​Society at TFD​ get an ad-free extended version!

🎬And in company news, we’re thrilled to share a new YouTube series we’re ~producing~ with our friends at Edelman Financial Engines. The series, Ask The Planners, is exciting for us because it’s the first time we’re in producer-mode for a brand other than ourselves, and we’re thrilled to be working with them on it! With the new year in full swing, we know financial goals are top of mind. But are you setting yourself up properly? This series is packed with expert insights from their financial planners to help you build a solid financial future. New episodes drop every Thursday! We’d love if you would check it out.

🎥And don’t forget to check out our latest YouTube capsule series, Asked & Answered, cohosted by Chelsea & Erin Lowry of Broke Millennial. This series is dedicated to answering your personal money questions, from budgeting and investing basics, to navigating the financial headlines of our current political climate.

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