30/07/2026
Finding the balance between effort and ease – knowing when to push through, and when to release and soften – is a skill.
I recently wrote a post about the energy we bring to the mat, using this as a mirror to the energy we are bringing to our lives. Whether we grit our teeth, tense up and force onwards, or whether we can show up with grace, compassion, and moderation. This is a valuable lesson - knowing when to slow down, and give 60% instead of 100%. But there are two sides to this coin, and whilst many of us are learning to find more ease – of little and often – we must also learn when to push ourselves, gently, out of our comfort zone.
As our brains are wired for safety, they want to keep us within familiar parameters – doing what we know, what feels comfortable, what feels within our control. So naturally, when we start to nudge beyond this comfort zone and try new things – whether that’s a new yoga class, meeting new people, or a new pose – it can feel daunting. We may experience fear, self-doubt or procrastination – nervous system strategies developed to keep us safe, but also small. Whilst avoidance may temporarily ease anxieties, it ultimately does us a disservice, as these self-imposed limitations start to feel real, and our behaviours reinforce the belief that “I can’t do that.”
I’ve experienced this often within my own yoga practice and teaching. A pose has felt beyond me, so I’ve avoided it. Or a practice I personally love has felt too complex to teach others, so I’d skip it. The fear of failing – and again, of not being perfect straight away – has prevented me from trying, and in turn from growing, personally and professionally.
So recently I’ve started to challenge these fears, most particularly the fear of failing and of imperfection. I’ve been putting more effort in – working on my handstands and forearm stands once again, adding more creative and functional movement patterns into my classes, recording and posting more online. I’m pushing beyond my comfort zone and stepping into my growth zone. It’s not about doing it perfectly or all at once, but rather about taking small steps, little and often, to go beyond where I’ve been before. And each time, my confidence grows, fear morphs into excitement, and new possibilities come my way.
So, ask yourself: where am I playing small, and avoiding something out of fear? And how can I start to take small steps towards this next thing? Maybe it’s speaking to a stranger, saying Yes to a trip, or attending a new fitness class. Whatever it is, be brave – there is often so much magic on the otherside of facing your fears.
