Forgiving, Letting Go of Grudges, Pausing, Problem Solving
“Life is a balance of holding on and letting go.” – Rumi
This week I found myself on the phone with Delta trying to resolve a flight issue. I latched onto being right. My forehead and fists tightened, and my tone grew sharp. In the middle of the call, I realized I was miserable—what yoga calls Dukha, the state of discomfort and suffering.
The opposite of Dukha is Sukha—a sense of ease and peace. Once I noticed that I was holding on to control and the need to be right, I softened. I relaxed my body, took a breath, and quietly told myself, let go. Instead of creating suffering, I allowed peace to enter.
On the mat, we practice this by making micro-shifts in a pose. A small adjustment of a limb, a gentle resettling of the body, or a softening of the mind can transform discomfort into steadiness and ease.
✨ What small shifts can you make in your thoughts, words, or actions today to invite more peace into your day?
Join me for a 30-minute Yin Yoga Class and create a gentle shift toward ease.
With love,
Julie Frizzi
Powerful You Youth Lessons on Letting Go (Problems Solving)
Grades K-1 PRIMARY: Forgiving Floyd (LESSON F) It’s important to remember that holding a grudge often hurts us more than anyone else. Grudges can weigh heavy on the heart, creating stress, unhappiness, and even distance in our relationships. When we hold on tightly to anger or resentment, it can take over our thoughts and make it difficult to notice and enjoy the positive moments of life.
That’s why forgiveness is such a powerful practice. Forgiving doesn’t mean forgetting or excusing what happened—it means choosing to release the burden so you can move forward with more lightness and peace.
Grades 2-6: Pausing Pablo (Lesson P). Teach kids to pause when they’re angry by giving them a simple tool they can remember. Show them how to stop, place a hand on their belly, and take a slow breath before reacting. You can call it “pressing the pause button.” This quick pause helps their body calm down, gives their brain time to think, and helps them choose kinder words or actions.
TEENS: Move-On Max (Lesson M) Help kids move on from resentment by teaching them that holding a grudge feels heavy, like carrying a backpack full of rocks. Encourage them to talk about their feelings, take a calming breath, and choose forgiveness—not for the other person, but to feel lighter and free themselves.
Mindful Movement Game for Finding Ease through Discomfort
The 90 Second Pause Challenge: Chair Pose Against the Wall (Utkatasana) is like sitting in an invisible chair with the wall holding your back. When kids practice it, they’re using some of the biggest muscles in their body — their legs! Can you help them find ease somewhere in their face as they practice this uncomfortable pose? How does this compare to real life?
Because the wall supports their back, kids can focus on pressing their feet into the ground and feeling their legs working like superheroes. The longer they can “sit” in their wall chair, the stronger and more stable their legs become — and it can even turn into a fun challenge (“How long can you hold your invisible chair?”).
The “90-second rule” comes from Dr. Jill Bolte Taylor, a neuroscientist who explained that when a strong emotion (like anger, fear, or sadness) is triggered, the chemical reaction in the body—the rush of stress hormones like adrenaline—lasts about 90 seconds. How can you use this fact while students practice chair pose?