“Yoga is not a workout; it’s a work-in. And this is the point of spiritual practice; to make us teachable.” – Rolf Gates 

In the current yoga culture, there is a prevailing trend that places excessive emphasis on the physical aspects of the practice, often reducing yoga to a means of achieving a thinner and more socially accepted body.  

People often see yoga as just a workout to help them sweat and stretch, forgetting that it’s about a whole lot more. When yoga becomes all about having a “perfect” body, it can make some folks feel left out or uncomfortable, especially if they don’t fit the typical yoga body image. This way of thinking can make it hard for people to try yoga, even though it could be super beneficial for them!  

 It’s like turning something beautiful into just another way we judge ourselves. But, you know what? Yoga teachers can change this! They have the power to create a safe space where everyone feels welcome, no matter their shape or size. That’s what yoga is really about—feeling good about yourself, inside and out! 

It’s kind of sad, but even yoga teachers sometimes get caught up in society’s obsession with how people look. They end up feeling the pressure to fit into this idea of being super fit, glowing, and, yes, thin—like those models in yoga magazines. It’s like they believe losing a bit of weight will magically make them smarter, sexier, and more successful.  

Emma Joy, shared how she and other teachers go through ups and downs in how they feel about themselves. When she gains weight, being around other yoga teachers can be tough, especially at big events. She feels self-conscious about not looking like the typical yoga teacher, and those trendy yoga outfits just make it worse. It’s like they’re sending a message that says, “If you want to succeed at yoga, you have to look just like us—thin, fit, and flexible.” It’s a bit like saying you can only be good at yoga if you look a certain way, which is definitely not what yoga is all about. 

It’s not about shrinking our hips; it’s about being friends with our bodies, not enemies. 

Yoga is about transforming how we feel about ourselves. Instead of thinking of it as a quick way to get thin, we can embrace the whole practice, including poses, breathing exercises, and meditation, to go deeper. It teaches us that we are already everything we need to be, it’s like getting to know ourselves better.  

We learn to appreciate our bodies as a whole, not just focusing on the parts we don’t like. Yoga is about strength, flexibility, balance, and breath. It helps us stop holding onto things that don’t serve us—like judgments and old hurts.  

Yoga is like a mirror, showing us who we really are & helping break down emotional walls. 

Yoga also helps balance hormones in our body, making us feel better physically. For women, especially as they get older, yoga can be a big help in dealing with hormonal changes. Practicing [yin yoga -hyperlink to course] allows us to release tension and emotions in a safe way.  

Meditation and breath connect our body and mind. It’s like pressing pause on all those judgments and worries, giving us a break from the constant spin cycle in our heads. Taking a moment to focus on our breath helps us let go and relax.  

Yoga isn’t about forcing ourselves to be a certain way; it’s about learning to be still and listen to our hearts. It’s a journey of self-discovery, embracing who we are and being kind to ourselves along the way.