4 Lessons from ZEE game
You might be wondering, “What does the French Yoga Teacher know about American football?” Same.
After almost 20 years in the U.S., I still don’t understand the game. I’ve asked. I’ve tried. I still have no idea what's really going on and to be perfectly honest, I don't think most people actually do either. Not in my neck of the woods anyways. We talk way more about the commercials or the halftime show than the actual game.
[For my European readers: last night was the Super Ball, which is like the American Football version of the World Cup but with a lot more money and a lot less game.]
ANYWAYS!! I was around, and gazed away from my phone a few times to see what was going on on the TV. Here are a few things I noticed that might interest you, in no particular order.
First:
No one will ever turn down a chance to explain the rules. People care about this game and this event A LOT. They’re genuinely excited to help you get it. You don’t have to know the rules to feel how much people care.
That’s the thing with yoga, too. If you really love it, you keep inviting people to try. You want them to get it—not in a “here’s everything you need to know about chakras and koshas” kind of way, but in that “just come to class with me and I’ll show you where the blocks are” kind of way.
The teacher’s role is everything here. You have to tame the urge to teach it all at once. Just like with football: explain the teams, point out a key play or two, and then step back and let the thing unfold. Yoga is experiential. At some point, you stop talking and let the practice speak.
This is true whether you’re teaching someone who’s never stepped foot in a studio, or someone who’s eyeing teacher training but convinced they’re “not ready.” Different stages, same path. Curiosity is enough. The rest layers in.
Second:
What we see on the field is the tip of the iceberg. Just like yoga isn’t all poses, elite-level football isn’t just game day. It’s recovery. Drills. Mindset. Repetition. Early mornings. Basically: Sutra 1.14 with a helmet on.
The real work is mostly invisible. And yes, that’s a hard pill to swallow when you’ve had crow pose on your mood board for three years. But we show up anyway. Not every player gets to the Super Bowl, but they keep playing. Whatever your Super Ball Asana is, find what keeps you coming back for it. Chances are, it’s not the pose.
Third:
The halftime show was a masterclass in joy. I didn’t understand all the lyrics (I learned Spain-Spanish, not Puerto Rican flow), but I felt it. It was bold, full-body celebration. No notes. Pure Yolking in all the ways (IYKYK). Music is visceral. It travels deep. It doesn’t need a rulebook or translation. And you could feel that this man has said yes a thousand times before he ever knew the next step. How many times do you think Bad Bunny said “yes” before he knew how? How many doors opened because “I’ll do it when I’m ready” was never part of the plan?
If you want to teach yoga: start there. Start with yes. Then figure out the next step.
I still don’t know what a first down is. But I watched. I danced. I laughed. I kind of paid attention ( enough to know who won ) And that counts for something.
Just like in practice: you don’t have to master the whole lineage to start walking the path. You just have to care enough to show up.
PS: If this resonates my friend let me know in the comments! Or at the very least, bring a friend to class this week.
PPS: I am leading an in person Prenatal Yoga immersion at the end of the month. It's part of my 85hr Prenatal Training but can also stand alone as a continuing education weekend. Learn more here. I would love to have you!
PPPs: my Superbowl this year is my French Escape Yoga Retreat! Taking people home to France with me for a week is a BIG DEAL. I would love to tell you more about it! Hit reply ask me anything. Or head here for more info !
