How to Overcome Your Fears in Yoga

With these 10 simple steps

BKS Iyengar:

Change is not something that we should fear. Rather, it is something that we should welcome. For without change, nothing in this world would ever grow or blossom, and no one in this world would ever move forward to become the person they're meant to be.

You want to start practicing an inversion pose like bakasana or crow pose, but the thought about the lifting of the ground has got you shook.

You fear that if you try this pose you may fall in mess up that pretty face of yours. Worse have to explain it to family and friends why you have a knot or rug burn on your forehead.

So you talk your self out of practicing that pose or one similar and move on to something you feel is safer.

Does this sound familiar?

If you this sounds like you, then you are not alone.

A lot of us who practice yoga have been here before and still run into this issue once in a while when working on a new or challenging posture.

The reason you are feeling this way has to do with some underlying fears of experience something painful like you did in your past. Or you developed a habit of negative self-talk.

But good news, you don't have to hide behind your fears anymore and limit yourself or practice.

Here are some more common fears and limiting beliefs:

1. "I'm not Flexible!"

2. "I will look silly."

3. "I am not built to practice yoga."

4. "This is too Hard."

5. "I am going to fall and hurt myself try those poses."

Here are 10 steps to help you overcome your fear in your yoga practice:

1. Breathe:

When you practice breathing exercises such as pranayama. You learn how to focus on breath control.

2. Meditate:

Meditation is the art of stillness, sometimes when you sit in meditation the first 5-10 mins your mind is creating all kinds of thoughts. The beauty of practicing this is allowing this time to bring your fears to the forefront. When you bring up what if something negative happens to switch your thought process to what if something positive happens.

3. Create new thought patterns.

For every negative thought, come up with 3 positive outcomes. Example: When you are thinking about trying a new pose, and the first thought that comes to mind is "what if I fail" Follow up with another thought "what if I succeed. Then come up with two more positives. Over time this will allow your first thoughts to be more supportive.

4. Repetition:

There is a saying "fall 9 times and get up 10." What this means, to keep trying. In order for you to become good at something, you have to keep practicing.

5. Take it slow and steady

6. Use extra props or wall support

Example if you want to practice handstands but you are afraid you will fall. Surround yourself with pillows, and practice by a wall.

7. Build up your confidence:

Celebrate small victories

8. Practice De-attachment:

Do get attached to practicing a pose one way only. You make set yourself up for your negative thought to arise. Instead, keep an opening mind and try different techniques.

9. Use Visualization and Mantra Techniques.

Try this from a seated position. Use steady breathing, (Slow and deep inhales and exhales). Close your eyes, and imagine a bright light shining over you. and say to yourself I AM FEARLESS...Repeat this for 8 breaths or more if you want.

10. Journal exercise.

Think back to when you were a child to one of your most traumatic experience when you fell. In your journal, write down how you felt. What happened? Did you get in serious trouble? Did people laugh at you?

The reason for doing this is to come to terms with your past experience and accept that at that particular time you were hurt and embarrassed. But understand that you healed and you got back up. Remind your self You are strong that you think.

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Listen to this week's Podcast where we cover this topic in more depth.

Please share with in the comments below how Yoga helps you to confront your fears.