Transference
Life has a way of bringing us to our callings – but not always on a path we understand or in a way we hope.
Some time ago I had shared that I’d felt teaching was my calling. This was in my early 20’s. In my head at the time this meant becoming a school teacher like many of my aunts and uncles. I had the desire to support people in a way that educated them and ultimately empowered them to move towards their dreams and desires. I went down that path briefly only to find a dead end and couldn’t figure out why. If I felt this passion, why were my actions to enabling me to receive the support I needed to make it happen? It just didn’t make sense! Of course, 20 years later, after great transferable education and experience, I landed where I am today with the confidence to move through my career with passion despite the challenges. I have never questioned this is where I am meant to be.
As this conversation surfaced over the weekend, it gave me time to consider how much of our present life quietly transforms and transfers to future events that we have zero knowledge will even occur. A time of heartbreak becomes the crack of light we needed to bring in something new. Or what we felt was our “big break”, to our dismay, fizzled before we could revel in its opportunity.
I’ve always struggled with staying present in the moment and not making every step of the day be about tomorrow’s version of life. It’s a been a hard balance to strike; all you fellow January Capricorns – you get me!
On the one hand, I would love to find the freedom in caring less about how today impacts tomorrow. To live fully in each moment and not worry about tomorrow. But on the other hand, I want to move through today in a way that supports tomorrow. To make choices my future self will feel supported by.
Here’s the real question: is there a difference?
Maybe the two are not as separate as they seem. Maybe moving through today with presence is what supports tomorrow. When we move with awareness, kindness, and integrity now, we’re already shaping the path ahead. Not with control, but through our internal alignment. This got me thinking, freedom isn’t about ignoring or not caring about the future; it’s about trusting that being fully present creates the right kind of “transfer” forward.
Now, if only I could trust this daily so many worries would dissolve! As always, it’s a work in progress, it’s a practice. In fact, this would lend us to the practice of Karma Yoga. There’s no mistake that just this morning I was listening to information on this very topic – it’s all coming into alignment! – where we have non-attachment to the outcomes that our present actions are creating. This is where the freedom truly lives. The freedom comes not from caring less, but from caring differently. Caring about our intention, not the outcome. If we care about the energy we offer now and trust it will transfer as it meant to be, we worry less.
So, Karma Yoga becomes a practice of alignment, not within the body, not about today and tomorrow, but between our action and consciousness. When they meet, our life unfolds with both freedom and freedom of direction.
Let’s take this into our yoga practice this week:
Provide yourself a 10-15min warm-up prior to beginning any of the below suggested practice for your week.
Asana Practice: In our physical practice we will not lose all alignment, but we will link aspects of our physical alignment to transfer the energy and the breath. This might be felt better in a flow style of practice. Repeat as desired.
Mountain > Upward Salute > Warrior II > High Lunge > Standing Wind > Warrior II > Upward Salute > Standing Forward Fold > Tree > Star > Wide Legged Forward Fold > Yoga Squat
Close out your practice using your warm-up as your cool-down and offer yourself a 10mins Savasana for rest.
Remember to always practice within your own limits and take care of physical and emotional well-being.
Journaling Suggestion: Can you take 2-3 times in a day, just to jot down what you are doing in that moment. At the end of the week look to see perhaps what action transferred to an outcome in your week!
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Join us on the floor.
The AYC presents its first-ever 25HR Chair Yoga Course. The addition of a chair to our practice is very underrated. Perhaps you want to learn more about this for yourself, a loved one, or add it to your teaching methods. Either way, join us this upcoming weekend and explore the chair yoga practice with us!
If exploring the practice of yoga has been on your mind our 200HR Yoga Teacher Training is an in-depth way to dive in, explore the practice, explore yourself, and have the certification to teach others to do the same. Reserve Your Spot for the next 200HR Yoga Teacher Training beginning January 2026 and become a Certified Yoga Teacher.
Questions? Email stephaniepower.ayc@gmail.com.
Let’s grow collectively,
-Stephanie
PS: Have you heard the exciting news? Our Yoga Inspiration is now bigger and better. Join the Yoga Inspiration Collective! A collective that encourages curiosity and education about yoga. This community we will explore principles that help you move from uncertainty and self-doubt to confidence and clarity. You will be part of a community that helps you become more confident and clearer, grounded and consistent in practice, present on and off your mat, connected in community.