About Us

So often, when people tell me they’re curious about yoga but still hesitating to give it a try, there’s a common thread in their words: “I’m not flexible enough.” They might be dealing with back pain, stiffness, or stress, even though they already exercise regularly. They feel their body asking for something more, for relief, for fluidity in their movements, for space.

That’s usually where the conversation begins and it’s where my approach steps in.

In this blog post, I want to open the door and show you how I guide a yoga class, what you can truly expect when you join one of my sessions, whether it’s a private practice, a corporate flow, or a retreat in nature. What you’ll gain goes far beyond flexibility or visual aesthetics. We tend to be influenced by curated poses you see on Instagram and elsewhere, yoga, in its essence, is a practice of presence, breath, and reconnection to our mind and body, a union between the two for which breathworks play an important role in it. Yes, we stretch but more than that, we create space. Space for mobility, yes, but also for your breath to circulate more freely, for your body to release held tensions, and for your mind to soften its grip. Depending on the style of yoga you choose whether it’s Hatha, Vinyasa, or Yin, the practice can also help you build strength, improve stability, or cultivate deep relaxation. I give a short introduction to these different approaches in my article Yoga: Meaning, Ancient Wisdom & Modern Practice Tips!, and I’d be happy to share more with you anytime.

My role as a teacher is to create a space that feels safe, inclusive, and truly accessible, a space where there’s no pressure to perform, no fear of being judged. Just an open, welcoming environment where you can meet yourself exactly as you are, one breath, one movement at a time. There’s no competition here, not with others, not even with yourself. Only exploration, presence, and progress at your own rhythm.

Because the truth is: yoga met me exactly where I was, and trust me, I was far from where you see me today. It has been a gradual, unfolding journey, and I’m deeply grateful to be sharing it with you now.

My Approach: Function Over Aesthetic 

When I teach, I don’t focus on the aesthetic of the pose, I don't impose you to perform a particular pose. I’m not interested in how your Downward Dog looks on the outside but I will still guide you how to do it. I care about how it feels in your body, your breath. All my cues are suggestions and I offer you alternatives to do otherwise. My style is rooted in functional movement, mobility, and mindfulness for our mind and body.

Whether I’m teaching Yin, Hatha or Vinyasa-inspired flow, or a simple breath-led practice, I always start with the same intention: that yoga should serve the body you have today, not the one you had yesterday, or the one you think you should have. Remember.

This means:

• ➡️ I offer variations for every posture, alternatives that allow you to adapt the practice to your own physicality. There are always suggestions, but ultimately, you know best what your body needs in that moment;
• ➡️ I normalize using props, cushions, walls, and supports;
• ➡️ I speak with inclusive language, steering away from “good/bad” or “right/wrong” postures. I try to be fair for everyone so that nobody feels she or he is not enough;
• ➡️ I encourage curiosity and self-exploration rather than seeking perfection. What matters most is how you feel as you explore each posture, allowing space to notice, adjust, and grow gradually in your practice.
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💡Remember, yoga is not about achieving a particular pose. You don’t need to perform anything perfectly. What matters is how you show up for yourself, not how deep you go into a stretch or how closely you mirror someone else’s shape.

We all have different bodies, different stories, different paths. Some of us carry old injuries, others live with chronic conditions, and many simply have unique physical structures that affect our range of motion. That’s not a limitation, that’s being human.

You truly can’t compare your body to anyone else’s, and you’re not supposed to. In fact, there are postures I know I’ll never be able to perform the way they’re traditionally taught, and you know what? That’s OKAY. I’ve made peace with that and I continue to evolve by practicing in a way that truly supports me.

Dancer's Pose - Evolving at my own pace

Yoga is not about fitting into a shape, it’s about making the shape fit you best. It’s about listening to your needs, not where you think you “should” be or look like.

Your practice will shape you and in the direction you want to go at your own pace.

What Happens Before We Even Begin

Before any class, whether we’re in a studio, a park, a corporate boardroom, or on Zoom, I always begin by creating a moment of grounding. I gently guide my students back to their breath, inviting them to leave behind whatever came before and reconnect with themselves. Through soft breathwork and mindful cues, I help quiet the mental noise, allowing each person to land fully in the present moment.

From there, I hold space for intention. I often ask an open question: How would you like to feel when you leave this class? More centered? More calm? More open in your body? This simple check-in becomes a personal compass for the practice, a way to honor where they are, and where they want to go, one breath at a time.

If it’s a corporate class, I read the room carefully: Are people stressed? Tired? Energized? Do they need to be uplifted or softened?

If it’s an outdoor practice, I anchor the class in nature: the rhythm of the wind, the light on the trees, the grounding energy of the earth.

Sometimes, I begin the class by introducing a theme, a focus point for the day’s practice. I share a few reflections, perhaps a mantra or an affirmation, to set the tone and guide our attention throughout the session.

The Arc of a Class: How I Build the Flow

I design each class as a journey, with a beginning, a middle, and an end. A wave of movement and stillness, of grounding and expansion.

Yoga on the mat - Class design

Office (Chair) Yoga  - Class design

Here’s how it usually unfolds:

1. Landing (5–10 min)

We begin seated or in a Child pose. I guide students into their breath, their body, their senses. I often include a short body scan, some soft mobility for the spine or hips, and an invitation to feel rather than do.

This is where we start unplugging from the noise and we create space inside.

2. Mobility Warm-Up (10–15 min)

I incorporate movements that gently awaken the joints, fascia, and deep stabilizing muscles, not through big dramatic stretches, but through small, mindful, intentional articulations. It can be as simple as rolling the wrists, softening the neck with the breath, or freeing the pelvis through intuitive movement. This type of mobility work is especially important for those who sit for long hours or carry stored tension from past trauma. Because when we invite mobility, we invite presence.

3. The Heart of the Practice (20–30 min)

Depending on the style of class, this could be:

• ▪️A Yin sequence (with long-held postures and introspective stillness);
• ▪️A gentle Hatha-inspired flow;
• ▪️A sequence that blends strength and softness, always modifiable.
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Throughout, I give cues to breathe, to observe our body and mind, to soften or adjust if necessary. I remind my students that shaking is OKAY. That needing a pause is wise.

My intention is never for anyone to feel like they have to perform, I want them to feel that they’re exploring, showing up for themselves, and gently progressing at their own pace.

4. Reintegration (10 min)

As we slow down, I guide them back into the floor. This is where the nervous system begins to shift, to recalibrate. I offer twists, supported folds, or heart-opening postures depending on the theme.

It’s a transition into rest and integration.

5. Savasana (5–10 min)

Ah, the sacred pause, one of my favorite ones. I create this moment with care: soft music, gentle words, or sometimes, silence.

This moment isn’t just about lying down, it’s where the magic integrates, where the practice gently settles into the body, like a slow digestion of everything that’s been felt and moved. Then, when the time feels right, I invite everyone to return slowly, as if waking from a deep, nourishing rest. We close with one final, shared breath, a moment of presence, together.

Final Savasana resting pose

My Tools: Props, Playlists, and Presence

🧘 Props are not cheats, they’re bridges. I often use blocks, straps, bolsters, and walls to help people feel supported, especially in Yin. The idea is to find comfort with it.

🎵 Playlists are crafted with intention. For Yin, I love slow ambient textures. For flows, something rhythmic but subtle. Music should deepen the experience, not distract from it.

💛 Presence is everything. I don’t just teach. I see people, I adapt and check in. I stay until everyone has packed up. I love when people ask me questions after class, or share how they feel. I learn every time.

Who My Classes Are For

Everyone is welcome. I always adapt my classes based on who’s in the room, and I make sure to inform participants about the style and level of the session in advance. That said, if you’re an advanced practitioner looking for a dynamic Vinyasa flow with complex postures, you might find a slow-paced Hatha or beginner-friendly corporate class less aligned with your expectations. I encourage you to check the class description beforehand, so you can choose the style that best supports your current needs and energy.

When it comes to one-on-one sessions, everything is tailored to you. Whether we meet online or in person, we begin by taking the time to connect, I listen, ask questions, and get a clear sense of what you’re looking for, whether it’s mobility, relaxation, strength, or emotional balance. From there, I design personalized sessions that meet your specific needs, intentions, and lifestyle. It’s a co-creative process, where your goals and well-being guide the practice every step of the way.

One-on-one Yoga session

I’ve taught corporate employees, seniors, beginners, high-performers, moms, men with tight hips, people recovering from injury or burnout. My classes are trauma-informed and welcoming to all body types and genders.

If you’ve ever felt out of place in a yoga class, too stiff, too tired, too “not enough”, I’m here to tell you: there’s a place for you here, simply go at your own pace.

After a serious hip surgery, I couldn’t do many of the “traditional” poses. I had to re-learn how to move until I could progressively integrate new poses. That became the heart of my teaching.

Cultivating mobility while honoring your body’s unique structure is essential to building a sustainable and evolving practice.

Final Thoughts: Teaching as a Living Practice

I don’t see teaching yoga as a job. It’s a living practice. A relationship. A co-creation with every person who steps onto the mat with me.

I evolve as my students evolve. I listen. I adapt. I learn as much from them as they learn from me.

And at the end of the day, if someone leaves my class feeling more connected, more rooted, or simply more human, then I’ve done my job and feel fulfilled.

"Progress in yoga isn’t measured in poses, but in presence. When you show up for yourself, transformation begins."

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Want to practice with me?

Feel free to explore my offerings on Instagram @innerzestwithsab and visit my website at www.innerzestwithsab.com to learn more.

You’re also welcome to reach out for a chat, I’d be happy to connect and see how I can support you with a personalized program, whether online or in person. 

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