I recently started taking sewing classes, and aside from learning how to properly cut a piece of fabric and sew a seam, I'm learning to look at bodies in a whole new way. As my sewing teacher went around the room asking each of us pupils to show her the pattern we'd chosen for our first project, I was first. I proudly pulled my pattern out my bag and held it up for the class to see. It's a simple, summery blouse. But then something caught me off-guard.

"What size are you making?" my teacher implored.

I felt my cheeks flush. My heart pounded. I did NOT want to announce to the class my measurements. That's personal! Besides, for some reason I have to make four sizes bigger than I would buy in a store, and I had not come to terms with it.

"I think . . . a twelve," I said meekly.

A conversation about modifying pattern pieces to fit different areas of our imperfect bodies followed. I noticed my classmates have the same awkward reaction when they were asked to announce their measurements, and where they'd need to modify their patterns to accommodate for high waists, small chests, and, yes, big booties.

"They just don't make these patterns to fit real people," quipped my teacher.

It wasn't until after I had gone home for the night that I realize I had a similar experience the first time I took a yoga class, and a teacher announced that I needed to use a prop to accommodate for a less than perfect pose. There are actually a lot of similarities. I try to teach my students to approach all the poses in a way that is appropriate for their bodies. I stress that it doesn't matter if they can touch their toes or not because there's no room for judgment in yoga.

That's precisely the same concept I've come across in my sewing class. And even if I never learn how to construct a garment of clothing (or super-stylish yoga mat bag) I wont forget to be more discrete when I help my students modify their poses to suit their bodies.

And the next time I realize I've embarrassed a student by pointing out his or her imperfect pose. I know exactly what I'll say:

"They just don't make those poses to fit most people."