July 2, 2024

"When perfectionism is driving us, shame is riding shotgun and fear is that annoying backseat driver!"
Brené Brown

The fear and worry of “Am I enough?” can push us to constantly do and be more. Try as we may, we never seem to feel like we are enough. Whatever that “enough” is we set for ourselves. Strong enough. Patient enough. Thin enough. Fun enough. Relaxed enough. Involved enough. Smart enough. The list goes on and on.

We doubt who we are. We doubt what others think of us. So we put extra pressure on ourselves. There is the pressure to be the perfect spouse, perfect parent, perfect friend, perfect student, perfect leader, perfect teacher, perfect believer, perfect yogi, perfect, perfect, perfect.

There seems to be no escape from the worries and doubts. So how can you counter it without creating more stress or worries? How can the practices of yoga support you in daily living?

It begins with your mindset. Accept that it is not an overnight transformation, but trust that transformation will happen. And baby steps.

There are many practices and philosophies of yoga that support your overall wellbeing, including your thoughts. You don’t need to adopt them all at once! Begin with one or two and practice with consistency, compassion and curiosity.

Yoga teaches you to be aware of your breath. When you are feeling tense or anxious, you can bring your attention to your breath and by slowly drawing out the exhales to be longer than your inhales, you will naturally bring more calm into the moment.

Choose an affirmation or verse that resonates with you and you want to embrace. It may be helpful to reframe it into an “I am” statement. When you start to doubt who you are, take a deep breath in and then slowly exhale. Remind yourself that “I am fearfully and wonderfully made,” “I am enough,” or the words of your choice. It may take a few rounds of breath and repetition of your affirmation or verse, but it is there for you. Repeat it until you feel it.

Yes, yoga is more than movements, but the movements are still part of it! And you don’t need 60 minutes straight to practice. Mini movements are beneficial and can be woven in throughout the day. When you are starting to feel overwhelmed, take a five minute mindful walk. When you are feeling stressed, release the tension with a seated or standing forward fold. When you want to boost your confidence, stand in a strong warrior shape and remind yourself of the power and strength that is within you.

Yoga emphasizes compassion, for others AND self. It’s learning to set boundaries to honor your values and priorities. When you are able to identify what’s most important to you, you can then set boundaries to honor them.

Yoga also includes gratitude, mindfulness, self-awareness, and seeing yourself in the full beauty and wholeness that is you. The practices don’t have to be anything complicated. Spend a few minutes each night journaling a gratitude list and notice how it helps you feel - and even the quality of your sleep!

The practices of yoga can help you in the moment of feeling stressed, anxious or overwhelmed, but it also provides you with the tools to minimize those moments. Do you want to learn more about how yoga can support you in being more at ease, calm and confident? Do you want a mindset that supports you and your relationships? You are invited to fill out the Contact Form and ask about a free discovery call. 1:1 Therapy sessions meet you where you are at and support you in feeling your best.