Making Yoga a practice of Self-Compassion

I see yoga as a practice of curiosity. Of discovery. Because every time I practice I discover something about myself that I wasn’t aware of before. Every. Single. Day.

#internationalYogaDay is a great day to raise awareness of the benefits of yoga, such as building mental & physical strength. But more than that, it’s an opportunity to highlight how we can celebrate yoga in the every day. I don’t mean practicing handstands every morning. Although that is fun. I mean showing compassion to yourself. The yoga sutras ( an ancient collection of yogic texts ) teach that self-compassion helps us to make positive change in life, especially when times are hard. Recent scientific studies have gone on to show that having self-compassion helps you understand yourself, make conscious choices and take the right steps.

I am forever grateful to the practice of yoga for opening up my heart and mind to different perspectives & ways of thinking. In particular a deeper sense of understanding about myself and others. All of which really stemmed from the compassion that came from the first time I stepped onto my mat when I wasn’t so flexible. & when I fell from my handstand practice for the millionth time.

So if you use international yoga day to start your practice. To re-start your practice. Or to do an extra long practice :) it is YOURS. And it can look like whatever you want it to be. Either by hanging upside down or being a little kinder to yourself when those limiting thoughts creep in. Or both. All my love. X