What if I told you that yoga can make you MORE stressed?

Sounds like an April Fools' joke, right?

Stick with me, because I'm about to reveal how yoga can both reduce and increase stress.

Let's start with the obvious: yoga can be an amazing stress-buster.

When you roll out your mat, start moving your body, and focus on your breath, it's like your worries and anxieties just melt away. The deep breathing, the gentle movements, and the quiet focus help to calm your mind and quickly make you feel better.

But here's the thing: yoga can also increase your stress if you approach it with the goal of always being perfect. (Trust me, I've been there! Given my perfectionist tendencies, becoming a yoga teacher and learning to let go of perfectionism has been an amazing learning journey for me.)

Have you ever felt pressured to perform a yoga pose perfectly, to keep up with the rest of the class, or to impress the instructor that you forget to just enjoy the moment? Or maybe you've been too hard on yourself for not being able to do certain poses and feel like a failure as a result?

In those moments, yoga can turn from stress-busting to stress-inducing.

That's why I want you to let go of perfectionism and approach yoga (and everything else in life) with a sense of humor and playfulness. Remember: how you show up on the yoga mat reflects how you show up in life.

Let's be real: perfectionism is overrated. Sure, it might sound impressive to say that you're always striving for excellence and never settle for less than the best.

But at what cost?

If I had a dollar for every time I've let my fear of failure or my need for control hold me back from trying something new or enjoying the little things, I'd be rich. The truth is, perfectionism is a joy-killer that keeps us from growing.

I invite you to use your time on the yoga mat to practice letting go of perfectionism and turning negative self-talk into positive self-affirmation. And then apply that practice to your work, home, and hobbies.

But don't just take my word for it. Read the Harvard Business Review's The Pros and Cons of Perfectionism. And if you want to dive deeper into the gift of imperfection, check out Brené Brown's The Gifts of Imperfection, a NY Times Bestseller.

“Understanding the difference between healthy striving and perfectionism is critical to laying down the shield and picking up your life. Research shows that perfectionism hampers success. In fact, it’s often the path to depression, anxiety, addiction, and life paralysis.” -- Brené Brown, The Gifts of Imperfection

So, if you struggle with perfectionist tendencies that keep you from fully enjoying life (and yoga), take a deep breath, let go of your need for perfection, and embrace the messy, imperfect, beautiful reality of life.

Best,

Christine

P.S. New or newish to yoga and don't know where to start? Grab your FREE Starter Guide to Yoga: