Call me a skeptic, but I find it a bit silly to be slithering around like a snake on the gym floor reciting "ahhhhh, sexy spine" out loud.

It was my first Nia class and I had trouble keeping a straight face. I couldn't make eye contact with my fellow lululemon Ala Moana educators for fear of cracking up as we danced barefoot, twisting our spines and awkwardly flailing our arms in the air.

Nia, which stands for Neuromuscular Integrative Actions, is described as a body-mind fitness and lifestyle program. Students kick off their shoes as they incorporate movement and philosophies from dance, yoga, pilates, martial arts, and more – moving their way to a healthier and more empowered mind, body and soul.

During the class, as I willed myself to keep an open mind and allow my body to relax, I watched the teacher let loose and encourage her students to do the same. People around me were spontaneously spinning, singing, clapping, and even releasing shouts of "yes!" I also noticed that no one could stop smiling as we danced around the room. That freedom made me shun my self-consciousness and I started to shake and shimmy to the music.

I think my change of heart came after noticing I was surrounded by women of all ages who were fully aware of their bodies, with no hesitation to express their grace and power. It was a place that gave me a sense of freedom, pushing me to become more energized, strong, and confident.

I'm convinced that Nia is a fun stress-buster, as well as a joyful way to get in shape, become more in tune with your body, and even find happiness while sweating it out. To find a Nia class near you, visit a lululemon store and ask them to point you in the right direction, or check out the Nia website at www.nianow.com.

How are you letting go today?

Be the change. - Gandhi

When I decided to take my yoga teacher training I tried to put my expectations on a leash. I tried not to imagine all the wonderful changes that would occur; I tried not to focus on what a present, calm, ideal yogi I would become. I tried.

Expectations are the fastest way to set yourself up for disappointment. The path of yoga is not about what you were or what you will become; it's about being present in each moment. There's no easy path to become the person you aspire to be, but with a conscious mind and open heart you can learn to accept yourself as you are and let that love and acceptance help you grow.

I recently went for some spiritual counseling from a yogini. What struck me the most was learning that I don't need to "figure it all out". My dharma or duty was to simply bring gratitude and contentment into my daily life. It doesn't matter if I hit the mat every day (especially if I stress myself to get there). What matters most is taking the lessons I learn from yoga and applying them to my every day life off of the mat - to respect the earth, to remember that we are all one, to believe in my divinity and that of those around me, to be truthful, and to follow the Yamas (guidelines on how to treat others and interact with society) and Niyamas (guidelines on how to treat yourself).

Since that visit I have told myself daily what I am grateful for, even if all I can think of in that moment is remembering to be grateful in the first place. This small change has caused a ripple affect in my life. The veil of expectation has been lifted and I accept that I am exactly where I need to be in life in this very moment. I also accept that though I may forget from time to time - I am divine. We all are. It is simply our duty to remember.

Read about the great gratitude for yoga teachers like Jessika in our blog post My Love Affair with the Yoga Teachers of the World.