Day 73: Yoga, Intention, and the Power of Belief
The Winding Down Days of Goa
After a day of settling into our new hotel in Goa, the group energy has shifted into something soft and expansive. The air is thick with the scent of sea salt and frangipani, the rhythmic lull of the ocean washing over us like a mantra. The women have embraced the slower pace of life here - each morning, we gather for yoga and a sharing circle, moving through asanas as the sun rises over the ocean, the light painting everything in warm golds and pinks.
Throughout the day, the women wander barefoot through the soft sand, exploring the local markets where colourful dresses for sale billow in the breeze and the scent of fresh Indian food drifts through the stalls. Some indulge in Ayurvedic massages at the nearby spa, while others float in the pool, deep in conversation about the shifts they’re feeling inside.
Evenings are spent together again—another yoga practice, another philosophy discussion. Under the warm glow of sunset, we share our stories, peeling back layers of our pasts, stepping into our futures. The circles on retreats are powerful - stories of resilience and of healing. There’s something about Goa that invites transformation. Maybe it’s the ocean, vast and endless, reminding us that life is meant to flow. Maybe it’s the sense of possibility in the air, whispering that anything can change.
Tonight, as I sat with this incredible group of women, listening to the waves and the soft hum of distant music, I felt overwhelmingly grateful. Five years ago, I dreamed of the opportunity to hold space for women on their healing journey in a retreat setting. And now, I am living it.
Today I finally had a chance to sit down, do a workout, and check some emails in a bit of free time. The first day in Goa was a total write off, and the second day in Goa I think I was processing and unwinding from all that. Today when I was checking my email, I decided to glance at my spam folder. I came across a message from an influencer I had once followed - one I must have marked as spam at some point. The subject line caught my eye immediately:
“Hi Alexandra, it's been five years, and I'm wondering if you're full-time in your own business now?”
The words felt almost divinely tailored to me. Curiosity piqued, I opened the email, and suddenly, a flood of memories from five years ago rushed in. Back in December 2019, I had applied to her entrepreneurship program because I longed to leave my job and fully step into my yoga business.
She wrote:
Hi Alexandra,
I know life can get busy, but that little voice in our hearts will sometimes speak up to remind us what we truly desire.
One of the things I loved about your application to my coaching program in 2019 was how clear you were on what you needed help with, and there was a theme to it - balance, babe.
This is what you said you were working towards:
"I want to walk out of this group shifted. I want to have established a better working balance where I'm practicing self-care better than I did at the end of 2019. I also want to feel ready to leave my job and go full-time into my business."
I’m wondering if, in the last five years, you’ve found the clarity you were seeking.
I also know that we can only make changes and put the train on the track when we are clear on what direction to take. I’d love to hear about your journey, what your inner voice is saying now, and if you need any support. Let’s book a call.
Reading those words, I was momentarily transported back in time. Five years ago, I had been a schoolteacher with a dream, unsure of how I would ever turn my passion for yoga into a full-time career. And yet, here I was, in India, leading a yoga retreat with a group of women, living in Bali full-time, running a yoga business, and celebrating the five-year anniversary of my company.
Despite this realization, I had received this email on a day when I was feeling anything but successful. The day before had been filled with chaos in Goa, leaving me rattled. But this email - this reminder - grounded me.
I replied:
Hi,
Thank you for this email. I am now full-time in my business, and at this very moment, I’m sitting in India with a group of women on a yoga retreat. I live in Bali full-time and have built a successful yoga business. Tomorrow marks the five-year anniversary of my company!
I don’t know if I’m interested in coaching right now, but I’ll think about booking a call. I just wanted to let you know that this email made my day—it helped me see how I have manifested the life I once only dreamed about.
Sincerely,
Alexandra
The Yoga of Manifestation
This experience reaffirmed something I have known for years: I made this happen through manifestation. I used to not believe in manifestation - but now I see what it really is is having a dream and taking aligned action. That’s what the practice of manifestation is.
Manifestation, in its purest sense, is Ishvara Pranidhana—the surrender to the universe while taking inspired action. In yoga philosophy, we are both the co-creators and witnesses of our own destiny. The Bhagavad Gita teaches us that we must act (karma), but we must also detach from the fruits of our actions. We align our desires with our dharma, move toward them with faith, and surrender the outcome.
Here’s how my manifestation practice has guided me:
Clarity – Know What You Want
Be specific. The clearer your vision, the more powerful the manifestation.
Visualize it as if it’s already happening.
Write it down in detail.
Back in 2019, I voiced my dream to many people—I wanted to leave my job and become a full-time yoga entrepreneur.
Align with Your Desire
Ask yourself: "Do I believe I can have this?"
Identify and release limiting beliefs.
Cultivate a mindset that supports your manifestation.
Meeting a psychic, Dan, was one of those moments where I was able to step into belief.
Feel the Emotion
Embody the feeling of already having what you desire.
Use visualization, meditation, or affirmations. I would close my eyes and picture myself teaching in Bali, in a yoga shala, and sensing the joy of my students.
Take Inspired Action
Manifestation isn’t passive—it requires steps that align with your goal.
Trust your intuition and act when opportunities arise.
I built my business through consistent effort, showing up for my students and staying committed.
Trust and Let Go
Release attachment to how it will happen.
Have faith that the universe is working in your favor.
Many times, things didn’t go my way. But I learned to trust the process.
Practice Gratitude
Be thankful for what you already have.
Gratitude raises your vibration and attracts more abundance.
Moments like receiving this email reminded me how much I had already accomplished.
Stay Open and Receptive
Pay attention to signs and synchronicities.
Be flexible if your manifestation unfolds differently than expected.
The Magic of Goa
Sitting here at the beach resort we’re at, I take a deep breath and look around at the women who have gathered for this retreat. The sand stretches endlessly, meeting the blue waves of the sea. The salty breeze carries the scent of fresh coconuts and masala chai.
Our days here have been filled with transformation - morning yoga flows with the sound of waves in the background, afternoon workshops where we unravel old stories and step into our power, and sober circles where we share our breakthroughs. We are peeling back layers, discovering new versions of ourselves, and holding space for one another to grow.
There’s something about Goa that makes anything feel possible. Maybe it’s the way the sun melts into the ocean each night in a fiery blaze, reminding us that endings and new beginnings are all part of the cycle. Or maybe it’s the magic of this retreat—the deep conversations, the laughter, the shared moments of silence watching the tide roll in.
Today, I feel nothing but gratitude. Five years ago, I dreamed of an opportunity to hold space for individuals and support them in their transformation on their journeys. And now, I am living it.
The practice continues - the manifestation never ends. We create, we surrender, we grow. And in that flow, life unfolds in ways more beautiful than we could have ever imagined.
Tomorrow, I’ll wake up and it will be five years of the Mindful Life Practice.
To everyone who’s been part of this community for the last five years - thank you. It’s because of you that all of this has been possible.
The Yoga Sutras & the Modern World
We live in a fast-paced world full of distractions, stress, and uncertainty—so how can an ancient text like the Yoga Sutras help us today? The truth is, these teachings were designed for the mind, providing timeless wisdom on how to navigate challenges, cultivate peace, and live with intention. Whether you’re a yoga teacher, a dedicated practitioner, or just someone seeking more clarity and balance, this course will help you apply the Sutras in ways that feel relevant to your daily life. Our next session begins March 23 & March 26—join us today!
Your Path to Becoming a Yoga Teacher Starts Here
If you’ve ever dreamed of becoming a yoga teacher—or simply deepening your practice—this is your chance. The Mindful Life Practice’s 200-hour Yoga Teacher Training is designed to meet you where you are, whether you prefer the flexibility of an 8-month online training, the immersive experience of a 3-week retreat in Bali, or a hybrid mix of both. This program goes beyond poses—we’ll explore yoga philosophy, meditation, breathwork, and the art of teaching. Doors are open—are you ready to take the leap?
Join the online 8 month program starting March 25 here
Join the in person 3 Week program in Bali starting July 7 here
Join the hybrid here and do three months online first
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