An Nguyen - UX/Product Research & Training Manager
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Thank you for exploring my graceful beauty ; )

← Back to Wellness Practices

Almost 10 years complicated

with YOGA PRACTICE

Through persistence, I found love for my Body and innate Balance

Posted on Jan 29, 2025. Updated: Feb 05, 2025.

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There’s a harsh truth: Physical stagnation reflects mental stagnation. Consistent inactivity is a form of self-destruction. I knew how it felt.


Inspired by my father’s daily commitment to sports, I learned that staying active keeps your mind sharp and spirit engaged. Discovering your passion for movement can transform how you approach life’s challenges.

GOALS

What I wanted in 2015:

↳ Get healthier, less sick

↳ Lose weight (58-62kg)

↳ Anti-aging


CHANGELOG

  • 4 Stages of Competence
  • 1. Unconscious Incompetence
  • 2. Conscious Incompetence
  • 3. Conscious Competence
  • 4. Unconscious Competence


PRESENT OUTCOME

2025 and ongoing journey:

  • ↳ Flexible body I’m proud of
  • ↳ Pain-free with strong core
  • ↳ Strong ankles, better balance
  • ↳ Maintained at 50-53kg


Contact

  1. email@domain.com

  3. — Twitter
  4. — Instagram
  5. — Facebook


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1.

UNCONSCIOUS INCOMPETENCE

Stepping into the UNKNOWN

Late 2015: The over-enthusiastic beginner

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Context:

I used to hide behind baggy clothes, trying to disappear into the crowd. But deep down, I wanted as a human being – to look good and stay healthy. So why yoga? Well, I couldn’t help noticing how graceful those yogis looked!

10 years ago, cry inside

Actions:

↳ Signed up for 6AM Sivananda yoga classes

Location: Dalat, Vietnam

Temperature: Below 10°C (50°F)


Results:

↳ Quit after 4-5 sessions

Too cold, too sleepy, too exhausted. Zero visible results!


Key Learning:

↳ Short-term motivation doesn't last.

↳ Don't force yourself into unsustainable habits.

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2.

CONSCIOUS INCOMPETENCE

Learning through PAINS

and almost GIVE UP

2016 – 2018: Seemed pointless to continue

—

Context:

Back in Saigon with a full-time PM job.

↳ Fear of Tech side effects kicked in – you know back pain : /


Actions:

↳ Tried 4 yoga studios / centers in Ho Chi Minh City

Group classes (20-30 people)

Monthly membership


Results:

Frustrated with technique gaps, lost motivation due to overwhelming difficulty

↳ Quit each studio after 1-3 months, took breaks, then hopefully found the new one


Major setback:

Ankle injury and nearly gave up mid-2018.


Key Learning:

↳ "Suitable for all levels" doesn't mean suitable for everyone

↳ Silent injuries are more dangerous than sudden ones

↳ Big studios use Indian instructors as marketing tools, creating false trust while neglecting individual caring.

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3.

CONSCIOUS COMPETENCE

1-on-1 private sessions

with DEEPER ATTENTION

The pieces began to fit together

2020 – mid 2023: The perfect match

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Context:

Met Giang – my Yoga teacher – at my older friends' company. Inspired by her transformation from yoga beginner to certified teacher, I asked her for private sessions.


Actions:

Complete restart from zero – breathing and stretching basics

Patient guidance through ankle weakness

↳ Slow but steady progress despite my inconsistency


Results:

Like gentle waves reshaping the shore, changes came slowly but surely. Looking back now, I can see how far I've come, though I didn't notice the bit-by-bit change.

↳ One day, I simply realized I looked more beautiful in photos haha :))


Key Learning:

↳ Start with 1-on-1 instruction from day one. Every body is unique and needs full attention from the instructors

↳ Proper breathing is super crucial

↳ The dedication of your teachers / instructors is as important as their expertise.

🌸

Giang (my Yoga teacher) never gave up on me and her patience matched my struggles, my lazy days, my weak ankles, my hesitations. Her gentle guidance changed everything in my yoga journey, and I'm deeply grateful.


The investment in private sessions was costly, but it gave me something priceless – a solid foundation for my body.

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4.

UNCONSCIOUS COMPETENCE

FLOWING naturally

into DAILY living

Eager to return to Bali learning new yoga subjects every year ;) Also breathing, eating, working in solitude mode

Late 2023 – present: Finding my flow

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Context:

Ready for new challenges, I paused 1-1 sessions to explore different yoga styles: Sivananda, Yin Yang, Power Yoga, and more. Each style adds a new dimension to my practice.


On the travel:

Joining workshops or daily classes in local yoga studios

↳ Proud to keep up in 60-90 minute sessions with international practitioners

↳ Growing confidence in diverse yoga styles


Daily routines:

Breaking practice into micro-sessions to maintain consistency habits, making it impossible to skip any day.

↳ Minimum 30 minutes daily

10-minute chunk x 3 times (morning, noon, evening)


Breathworks:

Discovered Pranayama and breathworks

↳ Overcame dizziness through breath awareness, so amazing! A game-changer in my practice!


Floating through music

Practicing with soundbath and classic harmony

↳ Every session becomes joyful with music, strong core meets graceful movements

↳ Finding the rhythm between strength and flexibility


Health Check-ups:

Bone and spine check-ups every year

↳ Learning from past: silent injuries need careful attention.

🌼

Yoga taught me that persistence is finding joy in each breath, taking care of my body through each pose, getting better in each small steps, and trusting the process unfold.


It’s not about perfect shape for social validations.

It’s about discovering your grounding stillness within you.

It’s about full presence in your body with truly self-love.

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5.

IMPORTANT TIPS

MIRROR NEURONS:

Learning through Observation

Combining physical practice with observation may be one method that could bring about motor simulation during action observation because individuals have experiences which are expected to activate motor areas during observation.


— LARSSEN et al., 2023

My favourite channels

Visuomotor adaptation through combined practice:

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Context:

Instead of consumig dramatic TikTok, I dedicate my screen time to yoga and stretching tutorials on Instagram Reels.

↳ This intentional viewing habit connects to research showing significant benefits of combined observation and physical practice.


Scientific Evidence:

Larssen, B. C., Ho, D. K., Kraeutner, S. N., & Hodges, N. J. (2023). Combining observation and physical practice: Benefits of an interleaved schedule for visuomotor adaptation and motor memory consolidation. Frontiers in Human Neuroscience. PMC7890187.

Link →


Interleaving observation with physical practice enhances motor memory consolidation

↳ Observers develop stronger strategic awareness and movement understanding


My Approach:

Daily viewing of yoga tutorials and advanced poses

Study anatomical principles through visual learning


Key Learning:

↳ Mirror neurons activate during both observation and practice

↳ Regular observation speeds up learning complex poses.

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MEDITATION & BREATHWORK →

🦁

AN, NGUYEN THUY

— Relocating to Kuala Lumpur —

ngthuyan14@gmail.com