Author: Susie Nelson | Owner of The Cycling Yogi
Ah, the wonderful world of yoga—where we contort our bodies into pretzels and our minds into states of blissful serenity .But beyond the physical prowess and zen vibes lies a secret weapon: personal growth. And guess what? It’s not as serious as it sounds!
“You are worth the quiet moment. You are worth the deeper breath. You are worth the time it takes to slow down, be still, and rest. You are worth the extra push, the growth and effort.” – Morgan Harper Nichols
Translation: Treat yourself like the precious gem you are, even if you occasionally feel more like a cubic zirconia. ( I know…WHERE do I come up with these things?!)
So, how can we use yoga to level up our mindset and tackle life’s challenges? Here are a few tips:
- Embrace Challenges as Opportunities: In yoga, just as in life, challenges are inevitable. Rather than shying away from them, view challenges as opportunities for growth. By embracing challenges on the mat, we learn to embrace challenges in our daily lives, fostering resilience and adaptability.
- Slow and Steady Wins the Race (Or at Least Finishes the Class): Prioritize growth over speed: In our fast-paced world, it’s tempting to measure success by how quickly we achieve our goals. However, true growth often takes time. Instead of fixating on speed, prioritize growth. Understand that learning and progress may unfold at their own pace, and that’s perfectly okay. in the world of yoga, there’s no need to rush. Just keep breathing and eventually, you’ll get there (or not, and that’s perfectly okay too!).
- Cultivate a Growth Mindset (maybe with a little humor!): One powerful technique for cultivating a growth mindset is to shift our language. Instead of saying “I can’t,” add the word “yet.” For example, “I can’t do a handstand, yet.” This subtle shift acknowledges our current limitations while leaving room for growth and possibility. If you’re struggling with a pose and your inner critic starts spewing negativity? Instead of succumbing to self-doubt, channel your inner comedian. Throw in a little self-deprecating humor and suddenly, that failed attempt at a tree pose becomes the highlight of the class. After all, laughter is the best medicine, especially when you’re in my class and watching me try to balance on my left leg.
If you want to dive deeper into the principles of growth mindset, here are some resources to explore:
- Article: 25 Ways to Develop a Growth Mindset
- What’s the Difference between Growth and Fixed Mindsets? (hint: one requires less aspirin)
- TED Talk: The Power of Believing You Can Improve
- Video: Developing a Growth Mindset: A Comedy Special
- TED Talk: Change Your Mindset, Change the Game!
So, let’s approach our yoga practice—and life in general—with a healthy dose of humor, a spirit of openness and a willingness to embrace the hilarity of our own imperfections. Let’s love challenges, be intrigued by mistakes, enjoy the effort, and above all, keep on learning and growing. Because in the journey of personal growth, every step, every breath, and every moment of mindful presence along with the occasional face plant matters.
Namaste, my fellow imperfect yogis!
LOVE CHALLENGES, BE INTRIGUED BY MISTAKES, ENJOY EFFORT AND KEEP ON LEARNING!
