i was led through a practice by these people tonight. and i got just what i needed. a much-needed reminder.

their energy, their love, their passion and dedication to sharing what they do with the world is contagious. and maybe there was something to that, but my expectation for this class was high. i needed a sweaty, juicy practice and this was going to be it. my practice tonight with ben and tori was everything unexpected.

ben's acoustic guitar and beat-boxing supporting our breath. standing nearly nose-to-nose with the teacher, tori, as we stood in tree pose, supporting each other and hugging it out. a surprise practice next to my new friend lauren, a new teacher-training friend with whom i found immediate connection. stepping outside of the journey into power sequencing and, by tori's own definition, leading students through what's needed in the present moment. a light shone onto approaching my training in a totally different way.

and, strangely, a homesickness i haven't felt in a very long time. it's been two full years since i've been back to the place i'll forever call home. two years too long since i've walked the streets of my beloved hometown; spent sunday dinner in my parents' house full of siblings, cousins, nieces, nephews, really anyone who would join us; opened the coat closet full of my mom's things and breathed in her distinct smell; walked in to see my dad reading at the kitchen counter with his store-bought reading glasses.

two years ago yesterday. and for whatever reason, tonight while i stood on my mat, moving to the beats ben created and the sound of tori's voice, i felt a little piece of my heart was missing. a little piece of my world that i haven't really shared with my mister or our little one. a pretty big piece, actually, that's so important, so crucial to my vitality.

as i left the studio tonight, i told ben about the unexpected thing that showed up on my mat. his words really hit home:

'it was so nice to meet you...and...

GO HOME!' he said.