Go to any yoga class and you’ll often see and hear how ‘going further’ and ‘going deeper’ is celebrated. Whether it’s the teacher offering a more advanced variation or students eagerly reaching for their toes, there’s often a visible drive to stretch limits—physically, mentally, sometimes even emotionally. I’ve even been in a class once where the entire room stopped and clapped for a woman who could literally bend herself in half! It was an impressive sight, and honestly, in that moment, the applause felt natural, even deserved.
I completely understand why we respond that way. As humans, we’re wired to admire progress, skill, and what seems exceptional. In my younger years, I definitely used to aspire to be that person; flexible, strong, seemingly limitless. Watching others perform advanced poses inspired me to push myself harder, to aim for those same milestones, often without stopping to question why.
But as I’ve gotten older, my relationship with yoga – and with my body – has changed in a meaningful way. Rather than always striving to go deeper into a stretch or hold a challenging balance for longer, I’ve started tuning in to what my body actually needs on any given day. And the answer isn’t always “more.” Sometimes, the greatest gift I can give myself is permission to stay right where I am, physically, mentally, emotionally.
Instead of chasing the outer shape of a pose, I now try to find comfort, steadiness, and connection within it. Some days, that might mean backing off and using a block or modifying a posture. Other days, it might mean holding a simple pose for longer and focusing on synchronising my breath with my movement. It’s fascinating how much the experience of a pose can change when you stop pushing and start listening. The subtle strength that comes from stillness, from truly being in your body without judgment or expectation, can be more profound than any deep backbend.
There’s also a mental shift that happens when you constantly try to go beyond your limits. You might start a pose feeling grounded, but once you push past your comfortable edge, suddenly your mind is no longer present. Thoughts start popping up everywhere: “How am I going to hold this pose?”, “Yikes, my legs are shaking!”, or “Why can’t I balance today—what’s wrong with me?” Instead of cultivating mindfulness, you end up trapped in a loop of self-criticism and frustration. And before you’ve even had a chance to settle into the pose, it’s time to move on to the next one.
That doesn’t mean we should never challenge ourselves. Growth in yoga, as in life, often requires a certain level of discomfort. Learning to stay with that discomfort, breathe through it, and meet our edge with curiosity rather than force, is part of the journey. But what I’ve come to realise is that pushing doesn’t have to be relentless. There’s immense wisdom in knowing when to ease back, when to soften, and when to give yourself grace.
Some days, it’s more nourishing to work at 60 or 70% instead of 100%. That little bit of space you create, physically and mentally, can make room for new discoveries. You might find your breath flowing more freely or your mind settling. You might realise that being in a pose with presence is far more transformative than forcing yourself into one with strain.
So next time you step onto your mat, consider this: What would it feel like to honour exactly where you are today? To listen closely, to move gently, to explore without judgment? Yoga isn’t a competition, and it certainly isn’t a race to the deepest pose. It’s an ongoing practice of returning to yourself, again and again, with awareness, patience, and kindness.
And sometimes, that begins not with going deeper, but with doing less. With allowing space. With simply being.
Enjoy your practice!
Michelle x
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