One Small Change Really Can Shift The Course of Your Life

The year was 2016. We had recently moved from Vermont to North Carolina, and I was working at lululemon Birkdale while teaching yoga at a few studios around Lake Norman.

I developed a strong home practice early in my teaching days because I always believed that was an important foundation for a teacher to stand upon. Most days, I practiced at home late morning or early afternoon after teaching. Otherwise, I would take a class at Melting Point, one of the studios where I taught.

Along with yoga, I attended a variety of fitness classes. One of the perks of working at lululemon was the amount of free classes we could take around the area, mainly as a way to build community and connect with others in the wellness space.

As for my diet after moving, being an athlete from a young age taught me the importance of eating well, which I had maintained for most of my life. While I wasn’t eating fast food or anything extreme, I was making more unhealthy choices, eating out frequently, and consuming more alcohol.

Although I was moving my body a lot, working at the store a few days a week, and teaching around 10 studio classes, I didn’t really have a routine and I wasn't feeling like my best self.

I found myself eating a large meal late at night with boxed wine in front of the television, then waking up with just enough time to chug a cup of coffee, eat a heavy breakfast, and rush out the door to teach class. Along with that, my sleep was poor, my digestion was terrible, and I felt exhausted all. the. damn. time. I was also feeling complacent in my yoga practice and wasn’t really getting what I was looking for in studio classes anymore.

I knew about an Ashtanga Yoga program in Charlotte and had been making excuses not to go. It would mean waking up at 4:30am, driving 30 minutes, committing to an extremely demanding and disciplined practice, and in order to do all of that…cleaning up my evenings, too.

But eventually, I craved feeling better for long enough that I decided it was time to go.

Everything about it was challenging, but I was immediately hooked.

And what I told people for so long was true: the life-changing benefits weren’t just found in the practice itself or in my teacher, but in how it cleaned up my entire life. I started eating lighter and earlier dinners. I consumed less alcohol. I went to bed earlier. I woke up at 4:30am and sipped, not chugged, my coffee on the way to practice.

Then when I went to teach classes afterward, I was more awake, more present, and had already worked on myself before asking others to do the same. That alone made me a better teacher and a better human being. I also found myself with more energy, clearer thinking, feeling stronger on every level, and discovering more joy in the small moments simply because I felt better.

I chose myself first.

But more importantly, I chose what I truly needed in order to feel better.

Which wasn’t:

alcohol,

television,

scrolling Instagram,

hot power yoga,

or constant stimulation.

It was:

having a routine that supported my sleep, energy, digestion, mindset, and relationships.

What worked was what required the most of me...

...and that is also what gave me a newfound sense of purpose.

Only about a month into building a consistent Ashtanga practice and Ayurvedic routine, I decided to lead my first yoga retreat. I spent a month gathering all the details, confirming logistics, and launching it. Then two months later, I hosted 17 of my yoga students for an incredible retreat weekend.

Now, 9 years and 33 retreats later, I can confidently say:

• What an amazing decision developing an Ashtanga practice was.

• How incredible it was to build a routine that has continued to grow and evolve alongside me.

• And that there is truly nothing more rewarding than ending your days with a sense of accomplishment, fulfillment, and purpose.

But while for me that shift came through Ashtanga yoga and the routine it created around my life, the answer is not the exact same for everyone. The real change came from finally being honest about what was and wasn’t supporting me. It came from choosing habits, routines, and environments that actually helped me feel better instead of continuing the cycle that was leaving me exhausted, disconnected, and depleted.

For someone else, that shift may look completely different. But I do believe most people already know deep down what they need more of — and what they need less of.

Who would have thought that one decision — simply wanting to feel better and figuring out what that looked like for me — would completely shift the course of my life? It gave me the courage, clarity, discipline, and willpower to make my desires a reality. I genuinely believe I am where I am today because years ago, I chose to build a routine that was in service of my highest good.

Today, my retreats, coaching sessions, mentorship, and even my Business of Yoga Training all include teachings around the importance of routine because I truly believe it is the foundation for everything in life: your health, relationships, career, energy, and personal goals.

If you’ve been saying for a long time that you just want to feel better, then I invite you to finally take the leap and do it. (You can also read my previous blog on my philosophy around “just do it” linked here.)

Supporting people through that process, whether through retreats, coaching, mentorship, or trainings, has become some of the most meaningful work of my life.

Here are a few ways you can join me:

True Nature Retreat, Smoky Mountains, TN | June 4–7, 2026: Daily yoga, meditation, and pranayama practices, Ayurveda workshops focused on creating more connection, love, and purpose within your everyday life through both ancient and modern teachings, time in nature to recharge, and meaningful connection with like-minded individuals — because let’s be honest, together is better.

Learn More Here

1:1 Personal Coaching: If you’re ready to take ownership of your life, my coaching sessions offer personalized guidance to support your health, habits, and daily rhythms through a blend of ancient wisdom and modern tools that meet you where you are.

Learn More Here

20-Hour Business of Yoga Training | Virtual | July 10–12, 2026: A practical training for yoga teachers who want clearer structure, stronger direction, and real tools to build a sustainable teaching business.

Learn More Here

Questions? Email me at carole@freespiritedwanderer.com — I’d love to connect!