Monica Esquivel

One step of faith at a time - Faith doesn’t require perfection- just presence and even the slips become stepping stones when God is guiding my path.

Every step I take… I take with Faith. God lights one step at a time .. not the whole road. And just like I know there will be slips… I also know, God turns even those slips into stepping stones. I breathe, reset and return with compassion. I don’t need perfection- just consistency. One faithful step at a time!

I dedicate this Yoga Therapy certification to my mother who was diagnosed with cancer as I began the program. When she passed, I was shattered… ready to quit! But I remembered how yoga brought her relief. To my Gordita who carried me through the darkest moments of grief and losing her at the end of the program broke my heart once again. My last mentor who passed during my last practicum- his teaching live through my work. , .fishman, Dr Walling - thank you for your mentorship and guidance. To all those who helped me through my practicums and case studies. This certification cost me a lot of tears… but those tears only reaffirm why I choose to teach yoga through a therapeutic lens. This work is meaningful & needed!

One of my greatest lessons this year so far has been learning to look beyond the package 😳. As I pause to breathe, meditate 🧘 and pray 🙏, I am able to see with my spiritual heart instead of my ego. I am learning to recognize the blessings hidden inside - especially those that don’t look like blessings at first: they carry truth, they keep me humble, they carry me back to my true self! And only then: I see the beauty everywhere, I see the hand oh my Lord everywhere. 🙏

Come! Step into Mother Nature and let her remind you that you are held, seen and deeply connected. Let the soft freeze whisper that you are never alone! Let the sun pour golden light into your heart. Let the water refresh, nourish the emotions tucked inside, let go what has been held too tightly. Remember my beautiful ladies! God gifted all this for our benefit, so you may rise, expand and become part of nature’s living beauty. 🙏

I climb trees because joy lives up there- even when the bruises remind me I have fallen before. My passion has thought me that nothing can stop a woman who keeps returning to what lights her up. At the top, I feel strong and victorious and somehow still like a little girl held in my dad’s arms. My ladies never stop doing what brings your soul alive. The more I show up for what I love, the more resilient I become and the stronger I stand in the moments that aren’t so joyful. 🙏

People see the butterfly- but they don’t see the process to become her. The pressure, the darkness, the Pain- the transformation that happens unseen. My ladies, every dream has a price! Every transformation asks for courage- it asks for letting go- it asks for faith. Just like a butterfly, I am committed to evolve, trusting God in every situation. Remember: evolving isn’t a moment- it’s a lifelong journey and always with God beside me. 🙏

My leap of faith—exactly as I was jumping into this cenote, I decided to retire. Suspended between the safety of a steady paycheck and the truth that my season as a senior financial analyst was complete. I had stability, great coworkers, financial security, and to make it harder, I had “my favorite boss,” but my passion wasn’t there anymore. I needed to take this jump of faith to the unknown and trust my Lord for myself and my children and grandchildren - so they know never to stay where joy, purpose, and passion have left. I did it out of love, not fear! My ladies leap from your heart, not your ego! 🙏

One month into early retirement at 60, and my heart is overflowing with gratitude- to my dear God and to everyone who supported this dream. I celebrated in La Isla del Encanto/PR, welcomed my third precious grandchild and stepped into teaching yoga… living the life once I only imagined. Ladies, dreams DO come true-but we have to move forward them with intention, everyday, every breath, every small action step matters. Keep choosing yourself, keep choosing your dreams. retirement