It’s impressive what your body is capable of. In a results-driven environment, it is easy to overlook the foundations of physical movement and focus all your efforts on a textbook routine. In my own fitness and health journey, I hit a plateau; I was lifting the “right” amount of weight and walking the “right” amount of time, so the lack of visual progress confused me. Something was missing, but I didn’t know what it was.
Yoga opened so many doors for me. It’s more than holding poses; it’s a personal practice that tests the limits of your own mind and body. When I first started, I was only aware of the obvious benefits, like flexibility and mobility. But as I’ve continued, I’ve realized it gives so much more.
No matter the style, yoga grounds you. It allows you to feel each muscle contract, each joint stretch, and each breath uplift. Fun fact: the little twitches and wobbles are neurotransmitters firing and communicating with the brain. They work together to learn and master the movement. I’ve learned to trust those wobbles.
Yoga teaches you as much through the shaky moments as it does through the strong ones. It proves what you can do while emphasizing what you think you can’t. Simply trying makes all the difference.
Goals will never be met if you convince yourself that you’re incapable. Results require consistency, yes, but the first obstacle is doubt. I am always in awe of the yogis holding complex inversions and arm balances. As a beginner, though, I thought I could never get there; even attempting an advanced pose scared me. But one night, I decided to try a crow pose anyway. I had watched videos and picked up a few tips, so I felt somewhat prepared. I got into position, lifted each foot off the ground slowly… and fell on my face. I tried again. The first couple of falls were awkward and painful, but each attempt lasted a little longer.
Now, I can flow through crow pose confidently, and I’ve unlocked many other poses I never thought I’d reach.
Yoga has changed the way I approach habits and decisions in my everyday life. In strength training, I now progress exercises by increasing complexity, unlocking results I didn’t even realize were possible. I’m more aware of how my core supports my gait, which shapes everything from my back to my hips to my knees. I put genuine effort into things that seem difficult because they usually don’t stay difficult for long.
I’m not an expert yogi, and I definitely still have a lot to learn, but I’ve stopped letting fear decide what I’m capable of. I don’t know what pose I’ll master next or how long it will take, but I finally feel secure in the process instead of the outcome.
Try, even if you think you might fail. you’re ready.
Want to keep up with HCBU? Make sure to like us on Facebook, follow us on Instagram, check out our Pinterest board, watch us on TikTok, and read our latest Tweets!