Last week, I stepped way out of my comfort zone. I took a class to learn how to make French macarons.

Now, let me tell you, I am not a fancy baker. I’m your average chocolate-chip-cookie maker. I’ll whip up brownies from a box mix for my husband and have one showstopper recipe: Texas Sheet Cake. (If you haven’t tried it, stop here, Google it, and bake one. You’re welcome!)

But French macarons? That’s a whole new level. Because I’m addicted to cooking shows—even though I hate cooking (baking is different)—I wanted to see if I could pull it off. Could I conquer the legendary macaron?

Embracing the Challenge

So, I signed up for the class, nervous but excited. To me, those nerves meant something good: I was about to learn, grow, and challenge myself. That’s exactly how I want to live—chasing opportunities to stretch beyond my limits.

And guess what? The class was a blast. I learned to make meringue, ganache, and cardamom buttercream (next-level delicious, by the way). I even banged cookie sheets on the table with pure joy because it’s an actual step in the process. Who knew baking could be so loud and fun?

I also met amazing people, bonded over our shared curiosity, and discovered that baking macarons isn’t about being perfect—it’s about showing up, experimenting, and learning along the way.

From Macarons to Yoga

That experience got me thinking about a conversation I had recently with a potential yoga student. They reached out to say my online studio was exactly what they needed—but then hesitated. They said they wanted to “master beginner yoga” before committing.

At the time, I responded politely, saying I’d be here when they were ready. But the exchange stuck with me. What does it even mean to “master” beginner yoga? And why do we feel the need to “master” anything before stepping into the next chapter of our lives?

The Myth of Mastery

Let’s be real: none of us will ever master beginner yoga—or any level of yoga, for that matter. And that’s a good thing.

Yoga isn’t about flawless poses or ticking off some imaginary checklist. It’s about growth. It’s about showing up, exploring, and opening yourself to new possibilities.

Last week, after almost 20 years of practice, I learned something new about foundational poses like Cat/Cow, Thread the Needle, and Warrior Lunge. These are "beginner" postures, but they continue to teach me because I’m open to learning.

When you think you’ve mastered something, your cup is full—you stop growing. But when you stay curious, there’s always more to discover.

Why You Don’t Need to Be “Ready”

If you’re waiting to feel “ready” for the next level, you’ll never get there. There will always be a posture that challenges you, a wobble in your balance, or a detail to refine. That’s the beauty of yoga—it mirrors life in its constant evolution.

You don’t need to master yoga before you start. You show up to learn, just like I did in my macaron class. No one expected me to know how to make meringue before I arrived. The whole point was to learn.

Master This Instead

If you’re feeling stuck, don’t aim to master beginner yoga. Instead, focus on mastering these three things:

1. Let Go of Distractions
   You don’t need to check your phone, grab water, or wipe your sweat every five minutes. Stay present. Let the practice pull you into the moment.

2. Stop Seeking Approval
   You don’t need to prove how hard you’re working with groans, dramatic expressions, or constant looks to your teacher for affirmation. Show up for you. Do the work. Trust that your best effort is enough.

3. Stay Open to Learning
   The more open you are, the more your practice (and life) will evolve. Let the idea of learning excite you rather than overwhelm you.

If you can embrace these three things, you’re ready for the next step in your yoga practice. Jump in and see what happens—you might surprise yourself.

Yoga as a Tool for Life

Yoga isn’t about perfect poses. It’s about mastering yourself. It’s a tool to help you breathe through discomfort, respond to life’s challenges, and build physical and mental resilience. It’s about becoming strong and flexible—both on and off the mat.

When you stop focusing on "getting it right" and start showing up, you open yourself to a life that inspires and challenges you in the best ways.

Your Comfort Zone Can Wait

So, what’s holding you back? You don’t need to wait until everything is perfect to start something new—whether it’s a yoga practice, a dream, or a macaron class. Just show up as you are.

This week, let yourself get out of your comfort zone. Show up messy, curious, and ready to grow. Life’s too short to wait for perfection.

If this resonated with you, share it with a friend or on your socials. Let’s remind each other that we’re already good enough to begin.

Big Hugs,
Tori G. ♡