Do you remember your first yoga class? Do you ever remember trying a new pose or a sequence and laughing to yourself about what-on-earth it was that you were doing?
I think we’ve all had these moments at one point or another. It’s that little thought of being silly or moving your body in a way you’ve never tried before.
Yoga is FULL of poses and practices that may, at first, make you feel a little strange. But the beauty of Just Doing It means that you feel so much more comfortable, exhilarated and confident in your own skin afterwards. Learning how to do yoga is not just learning a set of postures or becoming skilful with your balance. It’s about learning You, and learning how to feel wonderful and alive in your body.
Whatever you practice on the mat begins to translate to other parts of your life. If you noticed before yoga that you had a tendency to cross your arms during a conversation or hunch over in your seat, yoga teaches you how to be open in your chest and strong in your posture–to express your body confidently. After a few shoulder stretches and a few times breathing in downward dog, you just can’t help but develop an acute awareness of your body and how you can support your well-being.
So take note–the next time your teacher suggests a posture that seems just bizarre, or the next time you sense a nervous giggle in class, know that it’s an opportunity to take a risk and get a beautiful confidence boost.
