Yoga Builds Confidence

“Are you kidding me lady! You want me to do that?”

Although these words aren’t (often) spoken out loud in yoga class, I can see the looks on my students’ faces when introducing a new pose. Something they think is unusual, undoable, or even impossible. Overcoming those reactions and thoughts are what makes us more confident both on and off the mat.

Yoga boasts a whole host of positive outcomes from increasing flexibility, improving balance, gaining strength, and reducing stress. The cumulative effect of these outcomes can lead to a sense of greater confidence, to be able to do that “impossible” pose. Or more over, accomplish that impossible task in life or make a dream come true.

Increasing flexibility gives a greater sense of range of motion and confidence to be able to reach, stretch and go in many different directions. From being able to pick up an item off the floor to recovering from a turned ankle, increased flexibility is a key outcome of a yoga practice.

Being able to stand on one foot or in a headstand requires good balance. Practicing balance in a safe place (yoga class) makes for better overall balance. As we age, balance becomes trickier and more important to maintain. Many falls result in injuries worse than “just” the fall.

About a year ago I visited the Grand Canyon. The view is stunning and distracting. As I was walking along a narrow pathway, my foot hit the uneven edge and I turned my ankle, careening off the path. Because of my yoga practice, I have flexible joints and good balance. I was able to catch myself without falling and without a twisted ankle.

Through a regular practice of yoga, muscles become stronger. As muscles tone and physical strength increases, ability and confidence to perform other poses increases. A shift from “I can’t do that” to “Oooo. That looks like fun. I can do that!” happens.

One of the differences in the beginning level classes and the intermediate level classes is not only students’ desire to take on the more challenging poses, but their ability level. They want to because they can.

The cumulative effect of a physical practice helps reduce stress. Part of our stress response comes from the mental chatter of “I can’t do that”. Putting yourself on the yoga mat, standing in ways you are not used to, challenged by personal difficulties, and then overcoming those difficulties, results in level of confidence that changes the mental chatter to “I can do this”.

And before you know it, there is a shift outside of the yoga class. The “I can do that” mentality leaves the yoga class with you and things in your life begin to change. Confidence gets you places you never thought you would go. From standing on your head to where ever it is you’d like to be in the world.

Two Januarys ago I took a trip to the equator. It was a lifelong dream of mine. Some people call it “a bucket list item”. For many years I thought going to the equator was just that; a dream, an item on a list. Instead, the confidence I’ve gained over many years of practicing yoga allowed me to take myself to the equator.

And those people in my yoga class who say “Are you kidding me lady! You want me to do that?” They go back to their mats and they, indeed, do that. Because they can. I know they can. And after they strike that pose, they know they can too.

Pam Lindberg is a Certified Iyengar Yoga teacher who teaches Tuesday and Thursday nights at The Yoga Space and travels the world when she can. Each week one of the teachers at the Yoga Space shares her thoughts and experiences in this blog. The Yoga Space is a studio just east of Dexter serving, in addition to Dexter, Saline, Chelsea, Manchester and Ann Arbor.  We have been helping people with their flexibility, strength, focus and stress management for over 14 years. Welcome Week with Free Classes and some Fundraising Classes for Alpha House September 3-7. Fall Classes begin September 9. We offer a free class the last Friday of each month from 6-7 pm. 180 Little Lake Dr #1 Ann Arbor, MI, 48103. www.yogaspaceannarbor.com 734-622-9600