Yoga as a tool to building Trust with Self

For as many ways as yoga can be helpful and healing, under less thoughtful conditions it can be a hinderance and painful. Yoga offers one option for a safe way to be present in your brain and body, but is not the only way. At times yoga is framed as a way to seek out not only a certain aesthetic but also how one can attain the vague and inspirational marker of ‘wellness’. Which is just.not.very.helpful.

I encourage you to explore the parts of yoga that feel like an accessible entry point for you. Meaning, if the mindfulness-based parts don’t resonate with you right now and you prefer exploring the physical…go for it. Conversely, if you aren’t in a place where you want/or are able to try the physical poses but are interested in what breath work can offer you…all good! Seriously, you know yourself best so you do you. 

There is no image or aesthetic of what yoga is. It’s not complicated poses, forcing yourself to sit quietly with your eyes closed, or exploring existential questions. It can be parts of those things, sure. But it probably looks more like moments of thinking and acting with intention (emphasis on moments, not an unattainable, permanent state of being), noticing your breathing, or exploring how you feel in your body. And it definitely doesn’t only include people whose bodies, abilities, and/or identifies fit into what wellness culture dictates as the ideal. 

So let yourself experiment and approach yoga from a place of curiosity and gentleness. You can start with simple stretches on your living room floor, find a nearby Gentle yoga class, or peek through online videos. The most important thing is to pay attention if your body is telling you when something feels painful. If it’s painful, stop and ease back into a position that feels good to you. With patience and softness, you’ll begin to find ways of being in your body that feel good to you and support your individual intentions.