Align with Your Soul - the strength in setting boundaries in your Yoga practice
Let go of judgement and comparison on your Yoga mat and embrace the current reality of where you are on your journey
The wellness/health/beauty industry relies on us feeling like something is missing - we're not good enough, we're not slim enough, we're not youthful enough - it needs us to believe these things so that we buy their products. But what if we were actually able to accept ourselves exactly as we are, with no comparison or judgement?
I know it sounds a bit cringey and uncomfortable to think of yourself as "perfect", but in this blog post we are going to look at all the ways Yoga can help you feel less uncomfortable about being yourself and move into a place of self-acceptance and confidence.
"Do what feels best for your own body"
How many times have you heard me say that during class - but do you actually do it?! Trying not to compare or judge yourself during a class is actually really hard to do, especially when you are surrounded by other Yogis, who may be at different places to you in their Yoga journey.
Think about a time in class when an alternative pose has been offered to you - for example a Child's Pose instead of a Downward Facing Dog - it can feel really uncomfy doing something different to everyone else. You need to find the trust and confidence in yourself that you are exactly where you need to be.
It's this feeling of inadequacy that stops you from accepting yourself exactly as you are. But you have to try to enjoy the path that Yoga is taking you on, because it's this path that helps you to appreciate all the abilities that you already have.
The strength in setting boundaries
We often feel pressured to push ourselves harder, or reach for the next level or strive for perfection, but Yoga is so much more than a series of poses - it's a way of life! It's a safe space for you to grow and develop self-awareness, away from judgement of yourself (and others in the room too!) It's a place where you can feel empowered to build on your unique strengths, maybe you're really good at balancing poses or perhaps long holds are more your thing, whilst at the same time honouring your boundaries.
Say "no" to overdoing it
Yoga is a highly personal experience, so the pose you are practicing might naturally look completely different to what is going on on your neighbour's mat and we know that what felt great yesterday, may not feel as good today. Chose a pose that feels right for you, not because it's the version of a pose that your neighbour is taking. We often think that "harder = better", but that isn't the case at all in Yoga - you need to let go of the "shoulds" and step into your confident power.
Listen to your body
Your body is your best friend on your Yoga journey. It knows your limits better than anyone else, so if a certain pose doesn't feel right try a different version or leave it out completely! Trust yourself, have confidence in yourself to go further in a pose or pull back if you need to. Align is good in Yoga, it helps you feel the pose, feel the stretch and the release but Yoga poses aren't a one-size-fits-all kind of thing. As a Yoga Teacher, I can offer you foundational/general cues about a pose, but it's your job to find the right expression of a pose and that includes finding some sort of self-awareness.
This self-awareness can be built up by asking yourself:
What feels right?
What does my body want to do right now?
What would be beneficial for me right now?
And adapting your movement and poses to what your body is asking for.
Savour every breath
Sometimes we rush through our practice, ticking off poses like items on a shopping list. Slow down. Breathe. Let your breath guide you and you'll discover new found strength in the stillness. A yoga practice is not just about the individual poses and what they look like, it's the practice itself, the intention behind it, the breathing, the movement and making space for yourself.
Use props
Feel empowered and confident to use props in your Yoga practice if you want or need to, rather than feeling like they are an "easier" option. Props such as blocks or a belt can help make more space for you in a pose and can actually help you move towards a more advanced version of the pose (if that is what you want to do). Props aren't just to be used when you think you can't do something! Respecting your ever-changing circumstances is essential when practicing in a way that honours where you are physically & mentally, so try and notice how you are doing today and move from a place that best serves your body and your mind, in that moment.
The strength in setting boundaries
We often feel pressured to push ourselves harder, or reach for the next level or strive for perfection, but Yoga is so much more than a series of poses - it's a way of life! It's a safe space for you to grow and develop self-awareness, away from judgement of yourself (and others in the room too!) It's a place where you can feel empowered to build on your unique strengths, maybe you're really good at balancing poses or perhaps long holds are more your thing, whilst at the same time honouring your boundaries.
Say "no" to overdoing it
Yoga is a highly personal experience, so the pose you are practicing might naturally look completely different to what is going on on your neighbour's mat and we know that what felt great yesterday, may not feel as good today. Chose a pose that feels right for you, not because it's the version of a pose that your neighbour is taking. We often think that "harder = better", but that isn't the case at all in Yoga - you need to let go of the "shoulds" and step into your confident power.
Listen to your body
Your body is your best friend on your Yoga journey. It knows your limits better than anyone else, so if a certain pose doesn't feel right try a different version or leave it out completely! Trust yourself, have confidence in yourself to go further in a pose or pull back if you need to. Align is good in Yoga, it helps you feel the pose, feel the stretch and the release but Yoga poses aren't a one-size-fits-all kind of thing. As a Yoga Teacher, I can offer you foundational/general cues about a pose, but it's your job to find the right expression of a pose and that includes finding some sort of self-awareness.
This self-awareness can be built up by asking yourself:
What feels right?
What does my body want to do right now?
What would be beneficial for me right now?
And adapting your movement and poses to what your body is asking for.
Savour every breath
Sometimes we rush through our practice, ticking off poses like items on a shopping list. Slow down. Breathe. Let your breath guide you and you'll discover new found strength in the stillness. A yoga practice is not just about the individual poses and what they look like, it's the practice itself, the intention behind it, the breathing, the movement and making space for yourself.
Use props
Feel empowered and confident to use props in your Yoga practice if you want or need to, rather than feeling like they are an "easier" option. Props such as blocks or a belt can help make more space for you in a pose and can actually help you move towards a more advanced version of the pose (if that is what you want to do). Props aren't just to be used when you think you can't do something! Respecting your ever-changing circumstances is essential when practicing in a way that honours where you are physically & mentally, so try and notice how you are doing today and move from a place that best serves your body and your mind, in that moment.
Confidence, one pose at a time
Remember, strength and confidence don't appear magically overnight, they grow as you do, both on and off the mat. So whether you practice once a week, or everyday, know that you are on a beautiful journey of self-discovery and growth. Yoga isn't just about touching your toes, it's about what you learn on the way down. So step onto your mat with confidence, set your boundaries, embrace self-acceptance and watch yourself grow into the strongest version of yourself that you can be.