"It’s Never Too Late, It’s Never Too Bad, and You’re Never Too Old or Too Sick to Start From Scratch Once Again."
If you’ve ever taken a Bikram class, you’ve probably heard this mantra. It’s something Bikram says in almost every class, reminding us that no matter where we are in life, it’s never too late to start fresh.
Whether you’re struggling with a pose, recovering from an injury, or facing a personal challenge, this powerful message reminds us that we can always begin again—stronger and wiser.
This mantra has resonated deeply with me over the years, both as a teacher and as a student. It became especially meaningful when I faced one of my own biggest challenges in yoga. Let me tell you the story of how I had to start from scratch—and how this mantra helped me find my way back.
There was a time when I thought I might never return to the practice that had always grounded me—yoga.
When I first opened my Bikram yoga studio in 2000, I was committed to my personal practice, showing up daily on my mat. But once the studio opened, things quickly changed. Suddenly, I found myself teaching five classes a day, each 90 minutes long, with no music. I was guiding students through the heat, holding space for their practice, but I wasn’t doing much to sustain my own. Between the teaching schedule, managing the studio, and the pressure to keep everything running smoothly, I became overwhelmed. My hot yoga practice fell away.
At first, I told myself it was just temporary. But then I strained my hamstring, and that, combined with the exhaustion, led to a complete break from hot yoga. I kept up my meditation practice to stay centered and sane, but the physical aspect of my practice was missing. During those nine months, I gained 25 pounds, and the longer I stayed away from my mat, the more disconnected I felt from the person I had been when I was practicing regularly.
When I finally made the decision to return to the mat, I felt like a different person. All I could think was, "How am I ever going to get back to where I was before?" My body felt foreign to me, the weight I had gained added to my discomfort, and I wasn’t sure I’d ever find my rhythm again.
That’s when Bikram’s mantra became a lifeline for me: "It’s never too late, it’s never too bad, and you’re never too old or too sick to start from scratch once again." I repeated this over and over, almost like a meditation, each time I showed up for class. It wasn’t just about getting back to the physical practice—it was about rebuilding myself mentally and emotionally.
Each class became a mission, not to return to the old me, but to rediscover the essence of my practice. Slowly, as I focused on the mantra and stayed committed, I started to feel the shifts. My body, which had felt heavy and disconnected, began to open up again. The weight started to come off, and after four months, I was back into my hot yoga routine, feeling stronger and more grounded than ever.
What I learned from this experience is that starting from scratch isn’t something to fear. It’s something to embrace. Every setback, every break, every detour is just an opportunity to begin again. And when you do, you come back not as you were before, but stronger, wiser, and more connected to yourself.
So, if you’re in a place where you feel stuck, overwhelmed, or out of balance, remember this: it’s never too late to start again. Your journey is still unfolding, and every moment is a chance to return to your practice, to your center, and to yourself.
Have you ever had to start over in yoga or in life? How did it shape you? I’d love to hear your story.
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