A Moment of Connection in the Dominican Republic: What is Yoga Really?
During my recent trip to the Dominican Republic, while staying at a beautiful resort, I found a quiet moment to roll out my mat and move through my yoga practice. As I flowed through postures, one of the staff members — curious and kind — stopped to watch. He asked if I could teach him a headstand.
After some careful instruction, alignment tips, and encouragement, he nailed it! The joy on his face was priceless. Then he asked me a question I’ll never forget:
What is yoga?
I could see he was seeking a deeper answer — one that made sense beyond the poses. Working at a resort, he witnessed countless western guests who, despite having material abundance, often seemed unhappy, stressed, or in conflict. It was clear he wanted to understand more.
I shared with him that many people believe their “home” is their house or their car — something external. But the only true home we ever have is our body.
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- A house can be lost and replaced.
- A car can be taken and bought again.
- But our body? It’s the only true home we are given.
Yoga is the practice of caring for this home — strengthening it, nurturing it — so we can elevate the mind, heal our emotions, and enhance the quality of our life.
I explained that many seek love, abundance, or happiness outside themselves, thinking they must earn it. But love isn’t a business transaction.
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- Love isn’t conditional.
- It’s not about earning.
- It’s who we are at our core.
In the western world especially, there’s often an unconscious grasping — a striving for more likes, more possessions, more approval — all in the belief that “more” will bring fulfillment. But the realization yoga brings is: You are love. You are already whole.
We don’t need to get more love.
We are here to give love away.
When we stop seeking and start giving, we begin to realize that love is unlimited, limitless, and regenerative.
Your energy alone can uplift the people, the plants, the spaces around you.
Just like a flower naturally shares its beauty without asking for applause, we are meant to radiate the unconditional love we were born with.
I shared the example from the movie Good Will Hunting, where Matt Damon’s character resists being hugged by his therapist — until he finally allows it and begins to heal his childhood wounds. It wasn’t intellectual understanding that healed him; it was connection, compassion, and unconditional love.
Similarly, if we don’t feel safe in our bodies and nervous systems, it’s hard to receive love, support, or even happiness. As the African proverb says:
“A child who is not embraced by the village will burn it down to feel its warmth.”
At the deepest level, when we fall in love with someone, we are really falling in love with unity disguised as separation. As Jimi Hendrix so wisely said:
“When the power of love overcomes the love of power, the world will know peace.”
Yoga is the practice of love.
Each day, each breath, we have the power to live with full hearts or closed hearts.
To choose love instead of fear.
Yoga is the practice of love.
Each day, each breath, we have the power to live with full hearts or closed hearts.
To choose love instead of fear.
To create safety and strength within our body — our true home — so we can live freely and give generously.
This is the heart of yoga — and it’s available to all of us, on and off the mat.
So today, go out and love somebody. Start with yourself.
You are the masterpiece — and you are the master. 🌿❤️
Sending you love & light,
Stacy
P.S. Keep your yoga practice going even when your on vacation with my online classes every tuesday and thursday plus extensive catalogue of on-demand classes! Check out the online program HERE (https://www.yoganamastacy.com/live-stream-classes/ ).
