Finding Your Inner Olympian on the Mat

If you're anything like me (and thousands of others across the world), you're preparing to push "pause" on on your usual day-to-day routine in order to turn your attention towards the Olympics. Conceptually, it is such a beautiful display of global unity, as —athletes from every corner of the earth come together on the same stage to test their limits, honor their years of training and sacrifice, and celebrate what the human body, mind, and spirit can accomplish. We eagerly await and enthusiastically applaud the gold medals, the record-breaking finishes, the heart-warming stories that connect us to the athletes, and of course, the country medal counts. But underneath all the hype and spectacle of this two-week event lies something quieter and more familiar—something even we recognized as we practice on our mats every day.

Long before they make the journey to the host city, before they get on that starting line, or step up onto that podium, there are years of immeasurable devotion. Early mornings, practices upon practices, repeated movements, vigilant diets, discipline, rest, and recommitment. No athlete arrives at the Olympics by accident. They arrive through consistency, patience, and an ongoing relationship with their own limits - knowing when to challenge them, and when to respect them. That, in many ways, is yoga.

In yoga, we may not be competing to be the best or chasing medals, but we are showing up. We practice not to come in first, but to understand ourselves more deeply. We learn, and continue learning, when to push and when to pause. We listen for the difference between discomfort and harm. Just like Olympic athletes, we discover that progress isn’t linear—and that setbacks are part of the journey, not a sign of failure. We find small unexpected victories to celebrate that encourage us to stay on the path.

One of the most heart-warming aspects of watching the Olympics athletes is understanding that they do not compete alone. They have coaches, teammates, crew, families, and even entire communities and countries standing behind them. Yoga is often thought of as an individual practice, but anyone who has stepped into our studio knows the power of collective energy. Palmetto Yoga & Wellness nurtures an inclusive, welcoming, and incredibly supportive community that allows students to breathe together, move together, and rest together. Even in stillness and silence, we are supported by the presence of others.

The Olympics also remind us that excellence and success doesn’t look the same for everyone. Each athlete’s body, background, training, and story are different. Each sport is different. In yoga, there is no one perfect or “right” expression of a pose. Or rather, there are many "right" ways to practice a pose, and very few "wrong" ways. Your warrior or child's pose may look different than the person next to you, and that is how it should be. Everyone should be practicing according to their body's individual needs. Yoga honors effort over appearance, awareness over achievement. It's rarely about what a pose looks like, but what it feels like in our bodies. That's why at Palmetto Yoga, we say "Fit the pose to the body, not the body to the pose."

At the end of an Olympic event, the athletes come together, whether they finished first or last, embrace their fellow competitors, and acknowledge the moment. Regardless of the results, there is that sense of accomplishment, humility, and gratitude, for being on that stage in the first place. There is a recognition that regardless of the destination, the journey itself mattered. That, too, is yoga.

As you step onto your mat this week, discover the Olympic spirit within your own practice—not as competition, but as dedication. Not as perfection, but as presence. Not as

achievement, but as awareness. Every time you choose to breathe and move with intention, to rest when needed, you are participating in something extraordinary.

No need for medals. Just heart, dedication, and the courage to begin again. See you on the mat...