In the world of yoga, there often seems to be an unspoken goal: the perfect pose, the perfect alignment, the perfect photo. As a long-time yoga teacher, I pursued this alignment-based practice for many years. There were times when I tirelessly worked on achieving perfect alignment for myself and my students. But at some point, I asked myself: Does this actually feel good? For my body, my mind, my soul?
This question fundamentally changed both my practice and my teaching. Today, I embrace somatic yoga – a practice focused on body awareness, sensation, and well-being. In this article, I want to share why I moved away from perfectionist alignment and how somatic yoga has enriched my life.
The Downside of Perfectionism in Yoga
Perfectionism can lead us to lose touch with ourselves. We become so focused on how a pose "should" look that we forget to pay attention to how it feels. This constant drive for improvement and the pursuit of an ideal form create pressure – pressure that alienates us from the true essence of yoga.
I noticed that many of my students felt disappointed or frustrated when they couldn’t execute a pose "perfectly." I realized that this fixation on perfect alignment was doing more harm than good.
What is Somatic Yoga?
Somatic yoga is about experiencing the body from the inside out. It prioritizes feeling over appearance, intuition over perfection, and encourages you to feel good in your own body. Instead of trying to fit into a predefined shape, it’s about exploring your range of motion and honoring your body’s signals.
This practice is gentle, individual, and healing. It invites you to practice with mindfulness and self-care, free from external expectations. Every body is unique – and somatic yoga celebrates that uniqueness.
My Personal Transformation
My journey towards somatic yoga began during a period of exhaustion. My perfectionism had pushed me to my limits, not only in yoga but in other areas of my life. I realized I needed a new approach to rediscover joy and ease.
Through somatic yoga, I learned to listen to my body’s signals. Suddenly, it no longer mattered how deep I could go into a forward fold or whether my Warrior pose was perfectly aligned. What mattered was how the pose felt for me on that day, in that moment. This mindset of letting go – of expectations and perfectionism – was incredibly liberating.
The Benefits of Somatic Yoga
Stress Reduction: Without the pressure to "get it right," the mind can relax, and the body can rejuvenate.
Self-Acceptance: You learn to embrace your body as it is and appreciate its capabilities.
Individual Practice: Instead of imitating predefined forms, you discover what works for you and your body.
Deeper Connection: Somatic yoga helps you perceive the subtle nuances of your body and mind, fostering a deeper connection with yourself.
An Invitation to Somatic Practice
If you resonate with this story and feel that perfectionist tendencies have distanced you from the essence of yoga, I invite you to try somatic yoga. In my classes, it’s not about appearances but about feeling, letting go, and well-being.
Discover how yoga can truly feel for your body and mind. Let’s release the pressure together and embark on a journey toward greater ease and self-acceptance. I look forward to guiding you on this path!
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