“And when I finally looked inside, I found it” How Yoga Taught Me to Navigate Life Differently

When I started a yoga practice about a year and a half ago, I did it for a simple reason: to take care of my body through movement. What I didn’t expect was how much yoga would change the way I navigate the world.

On the mat this morning, I reflected on the biggest lessons I’ve learned in yoga—lessons that have spilled over into how I approach life itself.

Let me start by saying that working out has always carried a lot of complex baggage for me. If you had told me a year and a half ago that any form of exercise could profoundly impact my mindset and emotional well-being, I wouldn’t have believed you. So, if you feel skeptical reading this, that’s okay. Keep reading anyway—something here might light a spark for you.

And no, you don’t need to do yoga to reap these benefits. This is the practice that resonates with me, but your “yoga” might look completely different. 

1. Non-Judgment for Where You Are

In yoga, there are always poses or movements that challenge us. For me, it’s balance poses. I broke my foot in 2007, and it wasn’t correctly diagnosed for years. My body adapted around the injury, leaving me with lasting impacts on my strength and flexibility on one side.

Balance poses often mean wobbling or falling for me. But my teachers always remind us: it’s okay to fall out of a pose. The key is to accept where we are in that moment without judgment. Sometimes that means refocusing and getting back into the pose, and sometimes it means giving ourselves permission to rest.

This practice of non-judgment has helped me release a lot of anxiety and fear. Instead of comparing my journey to someone else’s or being frustrated by my progress, I’ve learned to accept where I am while still working toward where I want to be.

Where in your life could you practice non-judgment? 

How would your experience change if you gave yourself grace instead of criticism?

2. Listening to Your Body

We live in a culture that often tells us to seek validation outside of ourselves: the perfect job, the right relationship, the big paycheck. The idea is that once we achieve these things, we’ll finally feel whole. But often, we get what we’re chasing and still feel unfulfilled, prompting the search for the next thing.

In this pursuit, we lose touch with what our bodies are telling us. Our nervous systems are constantly giving us feedback—about our circumstances, choices, and needs—but we’ve been conditioned to ignore it.

Yoga has helped me tune back into my body. Whether it’s deciding to push through a pose or taking a moment to rest, I’ve learned to honor what my body needs in the moment. This practice of listening to myself has cultivated more compassion and understanding for where I am in my journey.

What is your body trying to tell you today? 

How often do you pause to check in with what you really need, physically or emotionally?

What if the things you’re chasing externally could only be found by looking inward first? 

How might your life change if you started trusting yourself more deeply?

3. Being Open to Receiving

At the end of most yoga practices, we go into Shavasana, or corpse pose. At first, I thought it was just a way to cool down after a workout. It also felt challenging to simply lay still—wasn’t I there to move and work out?

But Shavasana has become one of my favorite parts of the practice. It’s more than rest; it’s about being open to receiving. With hands facing upward, you allow blessings—whatever they may be—to come into your life.

This practice made me realize how often I resisted receiving. Compliments, help, even opportunities—I used to feel awkward or unworthy of them. But if you don’t believe you’re worthy of the good things you desire, how can you accept them when they come your way?

Shifting this mindset has been transformative. I’ve worked to tell myself that it’s okay to accept blessings, whether they’re compliments or bigger opportunities.

What do you believe you’re worthy of? 

Where do you feel resistance when it comes to receiving good things in your life? 

What would it take to shift that belief?

Conclusion: Stepping Into a New Mindset

What’s a practice in your life that could teach you more than you expect if you allowed it to?

Yoga has taught me more than poses and flexibility; it’s given me tools for life. It’s shown me how to practice non-judgment, tune into my body’s wisdom, and open myself up to the blessings I deserve.

Now it’s your turn to reflect. 

What lessons are waiting for you in your daily practices, hobbies, or routines? 

How can you listen more deeply to yourself and embrace your inherent worthiness?

Sometimes, these shifts are easier with support. If you’re ready to explore these ideas more deeply and want guidance on stepping into a more empowered version of yourself, I’d love to help. Coaching can be a powerful way to uncover your potential and align your actions with the life you deserve.

Let’s work together to create the space for growth, joy, and possibility. Reach out today to learn more about coaching and how we can start your journey.