“Comparison is the theft of joy.” ~ Theodore Roosevelt.

 Real yogi and yoginis aren’t judgmental, right?

I assure you this isn’t an easy share but it is one of those reflective moments of insight and I hope to connect with even a few.

I can be judgmental and jealous. Truthfully, I also feel (sometimes) inferior when personal triggers are set off. I compare myself as social media seems to have turned yoga into a platform for gymnastics meets yoga.

Can you do this?

Or,

Look at me while I rock some incredible pose—on a subway platform—in red-hot stilettos!

I go further into my anxious rabbit-hole and I feel inadequate, old and discouraged. Self-doubt and self-shame are absolutely, positively debilitating. Digging a little deeper, I stay with my triggers. I trip over a vacant chamber filled with vintage, negative recordings. It’s where I feel exceptionally small and inept. My dormant-adolescent-insecure self has been revealed.

I’m not good enough.

Followed by a deafening critical voice screaming:

 Why can’t you be better?!  

It’s time to apply some basic 101 heart wisdom: 

You are okay and absolutely, 100 percent fine.

Just the way you are.

Let go of comparing.

It doesn’t matter what everyone else is doing in a yoga class or posting pics on social media. Each person will walk (or kick-up) into their journey differently.

Currently, I’m leaning against the wall, just to stay connected to my breath.

My yoga journey is a mat’s distance away from yours. It’s very simple, internal and individualized. Who am I to say what is right or wrong? Maybe those yoga selfies are helping someone to stay engaged in their journey. Maybe it helps them to grow.

Yoga is a practice of saying to myself:

My downward dog and warrior, love me for what I can do and not what I can’t do.

I surrender.

Yoga is loving my inner-self and letting go of comparing.

All aspects of yoga, including the asanas are advanced—when done from within.

I smile from my heart to yours. You have unleashed my inner-flying-monkeys and have assisted me to do a little more soul searching. Thank you for being your beautiful self in all of your amazing poses.

We are all amazing.

Namaste.

Love elephant and want to go steady?

Sign up for our (curated) daily and weekly newsletters!

Editor: Catherine Monkman

Photo: Lauren Nelson