Lay A Solid Foundation For Your Yoga Practice
If you have been practicing yoga for quite some time now, then chances are you have probably heard the common teaching in yoga classes to leave the ego at the door.
But what does this really mean to you? One of the benefits of yoga practice is building self-esteem, right?
So how is ego and self-esteem different? Or are we contradicting ourselves?
More importantly, how does this apply to your yoga practice and your life?
This is probably one of the unvoiced questions many yoga beginners find it difficult to fully grasp and something that warrants a more thorough discussion.
The Ego
The ego is often referred to as the false self. This is the self that basically represents how we view ourselves and how we define ourselves as a reflection of other people’s perception – good or bad.
In the world of psychotherapy, the ego is a component of the human psyche that is conscious and controls our behavior and thoughts. The ego is also the one that is fully in touch with the external reality. The problem with the ego is that more often than not it does not go well with reality. We often view ourselves based on other people’s reflection of us instead of choosing to see our authentic inner selves, as discussed in Yoga Practice, A Journey To Your Inner Self.
As you already know, too much ego can be detrimental in a sense that we carry this exaggerated sense of how we fully perceive ourselves. For instance, if you are attending yoga classes for beginners, you may be overly concerned about looking great and perfecting the poses instead of fully understanding the real purpose of yoga and failing to stay in tune with the body.
Self-Esteem
On the other hand, self-esteem is the view through which we recognize what we are truly capable of. It calls for trusting our capabilities, knowledge and experience at a given time to respond to challenges. Self-esteem encourages us to look from within and draw forth that inner calm, allowing us to seek peace instead reacting to negativity. By choosing to strengthen our self-esteem, we are better guided on how to interact with others and nurture relationships.
Your Yoga Practice
So where are you in your yoga practice right now? Have you ever thought of the psychological benefits of yoga? Yoga can bring so much more than just performing asanas or poses. But it is a very personal journey of self-discovery that you should embrace to fully enjoy and reap its wondrous rewards.
So think about it. Instead of focusing too much on taking on more complex poses, take time to really learn more how you can lay a solid foundation of your yoga practice – by focusing beyond the physical self.
Complement your poses with yoga meditation. Allocate time to find a quiet corner and silence your thoughts. As you start to look inward, you will be able to recognize and reveal to the rest of the world your authentic self.
