I stood in front of a glass case holding Swami Kripalu's folded orange robe and worn sandals, under a quote about self-observation without judgment. The quote didn't square easily with what was written next to it about a man who practiced ten hours a day for almost thirty years.

The first time I heard a Kripalu teacher say BRFWA, I thought it sounded like a sneeze. Breathe, Relax, Feel, Watch, Allow is an awkward name for a useful skill, good for getting centered and negotiating sticky conversations. These five letters have helped me to ride the waves of life instead of checking out.