Donna Vu used to silently curse her yoga teachers for holding chair pose too long. She picked apart her body, her practice, the way she looked. Her mind felt like a war zone.
These days, her internal dialogue during practice is quieter. More compassionate. The shift didn't happen overnight—it took consistent practice, a 10-day silent meditation retreat, and the courage to witness her thoughts without judgment.
Below, California-based yoga teacher Donna shares her journey from student to teacher and how yoga became her sanctuary for reframing her inner voice.
How did you find yoga, and what was your path from student to teacher?
My scoliosis brought me to yoga about 15 years ago. Throughout my 20s, I practiced on and off, taking classes here and there. It wasn't until around 2020 that I began practicing consistently after finding a teacher I truly connected with. Around that time, I kept hearing people talk about their yoga teacher training experiences as "life-changing," even for those who never planned to teach. It stayed in the back of my mind.
After moving from LA to Orange County, I started searching for a new studio home. Not only did I find that, but I also found a teacher who helped me fall in love with yoga all over again (shout out to Elisei!). I was hooked. When he announced he'd be leading a teacher training just five minutes from my home, I jumped on the opportunity—the timing felt divine.
From there, my practice deepened in ways I never could have imagined. I overcame fears, learned so much about myself, and experienced what people meant when they called YTT "life-changing." That training opened the door to teaching; my studio happened to be hiring, so I gave it a shot—and never looked back.
How has the way you speak to yourself changed through your yoga practice?
The way I used to be so critical and judgmental of myself is honestly laughable now. I was truly my own worst critic. Once I began to understand the power of words and how what we tell ourselves can shape our reality, I made a conscious effort to change that.
I used to pick myself apart—my body, my practice, the way I looked. It wasn't a kind place in my head; it felt like a war zone at times. I didn't trust myself and felt uncomfortable in my own skin. I just want to hug that girl now. She was trying so hard, but she was so tough on herself.
What was the turning point in shifting your inner dialogue?
The 10-day Vipassana (a silent meditation retreat) I did on my 31st birthday—that was the real turning point. Sitting in silence with no distractions showed me how powerful my thoughts were and how deeply they shaped my emotions and actions. There was no one to blame, no escape—just me and my mind.
Through that stillness, I learned to witness my thoughts instead of getting lost in them.
Each time I return to my mat, I treat it as sacred time to be fully present with myself—to observe what's there with loving awareness, not judgment. I notice the sensations, the thoughts, and the subtle shifts in how I feel. Every practice feels different.
Some days my body craves stillness and support; other days I feel strong and open to explore.
The mat serves as a place to simply be. In a world constantly pulling at my attention, with so much to do and stress over, yoga remains the gift I give myself.
Do you have a self-talk habit or affirmation you return to regularly?
Affirmations have been such a powerful tool for me in shifting negative thought patterns. They help me balance out the critical voice. Some of my favorites are: I am enough. I am worthy. I trust myself. I love myself. I honor myself. I respect myself.
What advice would you give to someone trying to reframe negative self-talk but unsure where to begin?
I'd say start small—just becoming aware of your self-talk is a powerful place to begin.
Work on creating a home within yourself that feels good to be in, because you deserve to feel good—in your mind and in your body.
Something that helps me is asking, "Would I say this to my best friend? Or someone I love?"
If not, it's probably not something I should say to myself either.
Practice with Donna
This 35-minute restorative flow is designed to gently stretch and awaken your body while calming your mind. You can practice it first thing in the morning to set the tone for your day, after a workout to unwind, or before bed to reset your nervous system.
Each time you revisit this class, notice if you feel a little more flow, rhythm, and connection within yourself. Let your breath guide you, and give yourself permission to simply be.
Donna’s Self-Love Playlist
A soundtrack for slowing down, listening inward, and practicing with care.
About Donna
As a driven entrepreneur in a fast-paced world, Donna was drawn to yoga to help disconnect from the noise, slow down, and be fully present with herself. What began as a way to move her body evolved into a sacred spiritual practice for her mind, body, and soul. Her mat became her sanctuary—a place to breathe, heal, and reconnect.
Today, yoga remains an integral part of Donna's life, guiding her toward greater presence, balance, and equanimity both on and off the mat. She loves teaching vinyasa flows that connect breath with movement, encouraging students to cultivate deeper connection, strength, and loving awareness for their bodies.
As a teacher, Donna is honored to share the gifts of this ancient practice and guide students back home to themselves—one breath at a time.
Find Donna on Instagram @lovedonnav.
