As the Yoga Sutras of Patanjali teach us, maintaining a calm mind (Sutra 1.33) through compassion and acceptance toward ourselves and others enhances our practice and helps us embrace imperfections.
In the journey of yoga, as in life, perfection is a myth. Every practitioner, from the novice stretching out on their mat for the first time to the seasoned instructor leading a crowded class, encounters moments of imbalance and inaccuracy. However, it’s crucial to recognize that making mistakes in yoga is not only common but also an integral part of the learning process.
From the way a lot of yoga studios look, it can feel like we need to be perfect to practice yoga! But this is the farthest from the truth. The true essence of yoga isn’t in achieving the perfect pose but in the journey towards it, which invariably includes some falls and stumbles. The pursuit of perfection often brings a culture of anxiety and fear into yoga spaces, where competition, specialization, and a focus on qualifications overshadow the deeper values of yoga. This can manifest as never feeling good enough, battling imposter syndrome, or experiencing jealousy and insecurity.
In these environments, perfectionism often emphasizes physical practice and the static achievement of asanas. Phrases like “fullest extension of the pose” or future-focused aspirations such as “one day you’ll get to put your leg behind your head” can diminish the importance of the present moment and the personal journey. This approach undervalues indigenous knowledge and the intuitive, emergent aspects of practicing yoga, contributing further to feelings of inadequacy and isolation.
To combat these challenges, we must cultivate patience, practice collaboration, and foster a mindset that values progress over perfection. Embracing imperfection helps cultivate a culture of care, compassion, and love, encouraging us to fill our cups so we can overflow with abundance and support for ourselves and others. The focus should shift from individual perfection to collective connection and from static achievements to the value of being a work in progress.
It’s also SO important to see examples of real practicing real yoga! Check out a bunch of real people practicing and teaching, building a yoga community around just being everyday people practicing, at YokeYoga.com.
Yoga teaches us to be present and mindful, focusing on the now rather than worrying about what could have been done better. By unpacking perfectionism and emphasizing remedies like valuing indigenous knowledge, attuning to change, and celebrating ritual and rites of passage, we can transform our practice into one that prioritizes personal growth and inner peace.
The Bhagavad Gita (Chapter 2, Verse 47) reminds us that we should focus on our efforts rather than the outcomes, encouraging us to value the process of our yoga practice over any physical achievements. This perspective is crucial for cultivating a mindset that values progress over perfection.
Moreover, the Upanishads emphasizes the importance of community and collective well-being, guiding us to practice yoga in a way that is inclusive and supportive, countering the negative impacts of perfectionism.
For those feeling daunted by the pursuit of perfection, remember that yoga is a personal journey that honors individual pace and capacity. Embrace each misalignment and wobble as milestones in your yoga journey, and let the wisdom of the yogic texts guide you toward a more fulfilling practice. Remember, in the realm of yoga, every slip is not a fall but a step forward, and as we practice, we learn not just about yoga, but about life.
It is a practice of exploration, where each mistake is a guidepost to deeper understanding and resilience. Check out the real journey of so many people just like you on the Yoke Yoga app. So, pull up the app, roll out your mat, embrace each misalignment and wobble, and celebrate these as milestones in your yoga journey. Let us change the narrative around mistakes in yoga. Instead of fearing them, let’s acknowledge them as essential to our growth and development. By doing so, we make yoga a more inclusive and supportive experience for everyone involved. Remember, in the realm of yoga, every slip is not a fall but a step forward.
Satchidananda, Swami. The Yoga Sutras of Patanjali. Yogaville, VA: Integral Yoga Publications
This book offers a translation and commentary on the Yoga Sutras, a classical text that forms the theoretical and philosophical basis of Raja Yoga. It explains how embracing imperfection aligns with the sutras’ teachings on developing a calm, steady mind and compassion towards oneself and others.
Easwaran, Eknath. The Bhagavad Gita. Tomales, CA: Nilgiri Press
The Bhagavad Gita is a 700-verse Hindu scripture that is part of the Indian epic Mahabharata. It addresses the moral and philosophical dilemmas faced by the prince Arjuna. The text is foundational for understanding the concept of duty, action without attachment, and the spiritual ethos that underpins yoga practice.
Easwaran, Eknath, trans. The Principal Upanishads. Tomales, CA: Nilgiri Press
The Upanishads are a collection of ancient Sanskrit texts that form the philosophical backbone of Hinduism. They explore the concepts of the ultimate reality (Brahman) and the soul (Atman), providing profound insights into the nature of existence and the path to spiritual liberation. Eknath Easwaran’s translation offers an accessible interpretation of these complex texts, making them more understandable to a contemporary audience. This work is particularly valuable for those interested in the philosophical underpinnings of yoga and meditation, as it discusses the inner workings of the mind and the means to achieve peace and enlightenment.