October: The Opportunity to #Reframe

A happy welcome to the -ber season! It took me a while to write this month's post because I contemplated on the many times this month's theme has been relevant to the studio, our team, and the brand. 10 years means I've reframed situations and circumstances many times, and so I've picked the ones that have a major impact to how we are today.

Featuring Keii, my lovely admin partner since 2016, who at times I see as my boss! This reframing has helped me a gabajillion times, especially when torn with decision-making. Thanks, Keii! Labyu!

When I first opened Treehouse, I had a clear picture in my head of what a yoga studio should be like. Serene, minimalist, scent of bamboo in the air, free of distractions, everyone moving in unison, everyone in a meditative state— like a perfect reflection of the calm I wanted to create. And for a while, I chased that ideal.

The team, albeit changing from time to time, experimented with many things over the years. We had tons of ideas that we all thought represented the "right" way to live and teach yoga.

Back in 2016, I remember our entire team tried to be vegan because we then felt that was what a real yogi should do. (Of course, I was the dakilang promotor; the teachers just followed my lead. (Sorry, guys!)) But soon, I realized it didn’t quite fit my body’s needs nor my family’s lifestyle. I wanted to live by ahimsa — the principle of non-harming — but I learned that ahimsa isn’t about perfection or deprivation; besides, how could it be "non-harming" when I can see people struggling to follow it? I now understand that it is about balance, compassion, and respect for one’s own truth and the truths of others.

In 2017,  I created a separate “yoga teacher” IG account (yes, the one I currently use that you might be following!) because I thought that’s what I was supposed to do — curate, keep it on-brand, only post yoga-related things. But over time, it made me feel disconnected from myself. I wanted to share me — my thoughts, my messy growth, all my hobbies and interests (short-lived or otherwise), my day job, the faces of the people I treasure, my life beyond the mat. So I turned it into a personal account, and in doing so, I found joy and authenticity again. Satya, the second of the Yamas, which roughly translates to "truthfulness," is what I always aspire to embrace, with all the helpful practice on restraints (I suppose bramacharya, tapas, and svadhyaya) in place. [And of course, no shade to those who have decided to create their own hobby/work-related IG accounts. I still have those, too, but now I know it's not a "should" but a "want."]

And lastly, at many points in the past 10 years, I've wanted Treehouse to be a mobile-free studio. It felt sacred to keep technology out of the practice space. But as we watched students take photos of themselves in post-practice joy or capture moments of connection with themselves as they video record their practice, I saw how yoga was also an expression of love, gratitude, and devotion. Sometimes, that devotion is shared through a single photo or a video that inspires someone else to show up on their mat. Yes, we have slowly evolved to allow people to record parts of their practice so long as it is not impeding in another person's space.

Through all of these moments, I’ve learned that yoga — to yoke, to unite — is about embracing the different shades of gray. It’s about seeing things from multiple perspectives, holding space for both discipline and softness, structure and spontaneity, tradition and evolution.

Treehouse has become a living, breathing reflection of that. The studio continues to grow and evolve with the people who come through its doors. Every student, every teacher, every practice shapes what Treehouse is — and what it will become.

The opportunity to reframe isn’t about giving up on ideals; it’s about allowing them to expand. To evolve with life’s rhythms. To remain rooted in ahimsa — in non-harming, in respect — while being open to the many ways yoga can unfold in each of us.

That, I believe, is what makes this practice and this community truly alive. ✨

How about you, how do you think you can reframe some of the little struggles you encounter in your daily life?

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Interested to write for Treehouse Yoga? We'd love to read your stories and musings!

Sharing your insights, both on and off the mat, is a wonderful way to foster connection and remind us that we are not alone in our thoughts. In fact, it helps anchor us in our asanas and enrich our practice.

We will feature up to 5 stories aligned with our monthly theme, due on the 10th and 20th day of the month. Featured articles will be on the Treehouse Insight page and will be available to the public. By-line is optional. Send us a message!

Authors of published posts will be granted two (2) Treehouse Yoga Gratitude Passes as our way of saying thanks for contributing to the community.