Daily Devotion: Why Personal Practice Is the Heart of My Healing and Teaching

By Mandi Gardner, Founder of Holistic Evolution Shala

Do you ever wonder if you could really trust yourself to practice on your own?

Maybe you’ve leaned on YouTube videos, apps, or guided classes for support—and there’s nothing wrong with that. But deep down, you might crave something more personal. A practice that doesn’t depend on anyone else. A space where it’s just you, your body, and your breath moving together in rhythm. That’s where the true transformation begins.

How Personal Practice Changed My Life

For years, I was searching for healing after living with the long shadows of childhood trauma and complex PTSD. I tried everything, but the real shift didn’t happen until I committed to a daily personal practice.

When I stepped onto my mat alone, with only my breath as a guide, I began to reclaim ownership of my body and mind. It wasn’t always easy—discipline and devotion were required—but over time, something profound unfolded.

I found stillness in my body.
I found calm in my mind.
And, most importantly, I found myself again.

This daily devotion has been the single most important factor in healing my nervous system, calming my emotional reactivity, and creating peace after years of chaos. That’s why I teach others not just what to practice, but how to build a personal practice they can own, love, and sustain.

Why a Personal Practice Matters

There’s a unique power in learning to move at your own pace:

• Muscle Memory Creates Freedom
  When you repeat a specific sequence daily, your body begins to memorize the flow. This frees your mind from “what’s next?” and anchors you in the present moment.

• The Breath Leads the Way
  Moving with the rhythm of your breath connects you to a deeper awareness. It’s calming, healing, and profoundly centering.

• Discipline Becomes Devotion
  The practice itself becomes less about checking a box and more about honoring yourself. That shift—from obligation to devotion—is where the healing deepens.

As yoga philosophy teaches through Abhyasa (consistent practice) and Tapas (discipline), transformation comes not from doing something once but from returning again and again, with love and dedication.

3 Ways to Begin Owning Your Practice Today

1. Start Small, Stay Consistent
   Even 10 minutes of mindful movement or breathwork done daily is more transformative than 90 minutes once a week.

2. Notice the Breath Before the Shape
   Let your breath guide you into each movement. Over time, this rhythm will regulate your nervous system and quiet your mind.

3. Choose Presence Over Perfection
   Your practice doesn’t have to look like anyone else’s. It only needs to connect you more deeply with yourself.

Why I Teach This Way

I don’t teach to make my students dependent on me. I teach to empower women to take ownership of their practice—so that when they step off the mat in class, they can step onto the mat at home with confidence. Videos, workshops, or group classes can be wonderful motivators, but the goal is to trust yourself enough to show up without them.

Because the real healing happens when your practice becomes yours.

Ready to Begin Your Own Healing Practice?

If this resonates, I’d love to help you start building a personal practice that’s both structured and freeing.

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