From Australia to the Mat

One of my most distinct childhood memories is of my mom reading Alexander and the Terrible, Horrible, No Good, Very Bad Day to me and my brother.

As the title suggests, the story follows a young boy named Alexander whose day isn't going as planned. From his mom forgetting to pack dessert in his lunch, to discovering he has a cavity, to the shoe store not having the sneakers he wants, everything seems off. Add in things like lima beans at dinner, a bath that’s too hot, and his favorite marble going down the drain, and Alexander reaches his breaking point.

His solution? He’s moving to Australia.

Just like Alexander, we all have a “go-to” when things get hard. A place we’d rather be, a person we long to see, or an escape we imagine will make everything better.

Yoga reminds us that we don't need to run away to Australia or anywhere else, but that we can stay present long enough to witness the shift Sometimes it’s tight muscles softening. Sometimes it’s a racing mind slowing down. Sometimes it’s emotions we didn’t even realize we were holding being released.

Around this time of year, stories passed down through generations are being told again, just like the ones my mom read to us as kids.  Passover reminds us of a journey from constraint to freedom through a long, uncertain path of discomfort toward something greater. Easter reflects on renewal, rebirth, and the promise that even after the hardest moments, something new can emerge. Both holidays, in their own way, honor the experience of times that feel heavy, uncomfortable, or uncertain, and the strength it takes to move forward.

What made that childhood story so magical wasn’t just the words, it was the way my mom read it. The funny voices, the dramatic pauses, the way she brought Alexander’s hard day to life. This simple story of relatable experiences filled me with laughter and comfort.

There’s a similar kind of magic in a consistent yoga practice.

Having a hard day? Come to your mat.

Feeling overwhelmed? Come to your mat.

Basking in joy? Come to your mat.

The mat meets you exactly where you are every single time.

That same sense of tradition and connection through this story is something I’ve carried into my own family. From the time my children were young and into young adulthood (when I'd request a family reading on my birthday), we read Alexander together. It grounds me and brings me joy. I hope it does the same for them.

Whether it’s a beloved story or a steady yoga practice, these rituals remind us that we can find exactly what we need wherever we are.

Even in Australia.