Hey there, fellow yogis! Today, I wanted to open up about a little experiment I’ve been implementing into my practice, and how taking a step back from a dedicated goal has been one of the most transformative parts of my practice. I’d love to hear if you’ve experienced anything similar, too.
For the longest time, I had my eyes set on handstands. I was showing up religiously, day in and day out, building strength, focusing on drills, aiming for that exhilarating feeling of balance in mid-air. But somewhere along the line, the joy started to slip away. My shoulders ached, my wrists felt the strain, and eventually, I found myself dreading the inversion section of my practice. That once-joyful goal felt like a chore, and my body was giving me some very loud cues. I ignored it at first, but then reality hit: I wasn’t enjoying the process anymore, and the goal had stopped serving me, and i was causing more harm to my body than good.
David Swenson’s words resonated in my mind: "If you want to know the benefits of practice, stop practicing." It’s such a simple thought, but it’s so true. So, I stopped. I put away the handstand drills, let go of the pressure to get into arm balances, and used that time to explore strength training instead. Working on different muscles and movements brought a sense of freedom and fun back to my routine.
Then, something wonderful happened. This week, I approached Pincha Mayurasana, a pose I hadn’t tried in weeks. With my fresh perspective, it felt...easier. Familiar. The fear was gone, and, without even realizing it, I balanced without the wall. It was so rewarding to feel progress happen naturally without forcing it.
This journey taught me a big lesson: sometimes, taking a step back is exactly what we need to move forward. Injury, frustration, burnout—these are signals that something has to change. And, honestly, not every pose is meant for every body at every time. There’s no shame in reshaping our goals or giving ourselves permission to rest and reset.
So, if you’re feeling stuck, sore, or maybe just dreading that one part of your practice, try a reset. Experiment with new movements, have a chat with your teacher, or even take a full break if your body is asking for it. Sometimes, letting go of one goal can make space for unexpected breakthroughs.
Have you ever taken a break from a goal only to find yourself moving closer to it? How have you felt found liberation or joy in switching up your practice? I’d love to hear your stories! Our yoga practice is here to lift us up, help us feel good about our capabilities, and embrace the challenges along the way. This philosophy inspired the design for the It’s Just Yoga Tee—a reminder to keep things light, fun, and not take it all too seriously.
I’d love for you to check out the collection and see if something resonates with your practice. Let me know your thoughts, share your favorite yoga moments, or drop a comment—I’m always excited to connect with this amazing community!
Explore the collection!