25/01/2025
Do You Often Feel Undisciplined and Insecure When Practicing Yoga?
Read this post to learn how a self-proclaimed lazy person like me overcame these challenges!
While most people come to yoga to become healthier and more beautiful, I turned to yoga to care for my mental health. Since childhood, I had never engaged in sports or had a mindset for exercise. As a result, I had poor health—frequent minor illnesses, neck and shoulder pain, chronic migraines, susceptibility to colds, and even fainting spells due to abdominal pain. I always blamed my weak constitution and never considered the idea of exercising for better health.
In my early days of practicing yoga, I focused solely on the mental benefits I received, paying little attention to physical health. Over time, I began to notice my body's shortcomings, which made practicing yoga difficult. My body and skeletal structure were extremely stiff, partly due to an accident at the age of four and partly due to 20 years of avoiding physical activity. I couldn’t bend deeply, struggled to keep my back straight in poses, and had tight and short hamstrings, making yoga particularly challenging. To give you an idea, my hamstrings were stiffer than many men’s. I couldn’t naturally fold forward like my peers from a young age.
I often felt disappointed and embarrassed, thinking I’d never be able to master yoga poses. I was also self-conscious seeing my students, new to yoga, achieve greater flexibility in poses like seated forward folds or standing bends. Because of this, I hesitated to challenge myself or guide others in advanced poses.
But guess what? I’m no longer insecure about that, and my body has become more flexible—though still imperfect. Through yoga, I’ve learned to accept and love my body as it is. Yoga teaches us to listen to and observe our bodies, to look inward, and to face ourselves. Yoga is for everyone, and anyone can practice it. It doesn’t demand perfection or mastery of every difficult pose. Everyone’s body is different, and not every pose is meant for every person. Respecting your joints and your body’s limits is an act of self-love.
I’ve long abandoned the belief that my stiffness makes yoga impossible. Now, I practice poses suited to my body, and little by little, I build resilience in my mind and body by holding poses longer, focusing on my breathing, and gradually increasing my range of motion. Patience and acceptance are the two greatest lessons I’ve learned from yoga, and I apply them to my daily life.
Body vs. Mind: Which Is the Greater Challenge?
For me, conquering the mind is the hardest. Maintaining discipline and overcoming my own doubts and fears about what others think used to be extremely difficult. I wanted to give up whenever I held a tiring pose for too long. I used to think spending an hour studying for university exams was more productive than spending an hour on the mat. Because of this mindset, I missed out on the many benefits yoga could bring to my academic performance.
One hour of yoga daily improves blood circulation, supplies oxygen to the brain, reduces cortisol (the stress hormone), and produces neurotransmitters like dopamine and serotonin, which enhance focus and memory and reduce anxiety.
Ironically, my motivation to stick with yoga came from pain—specifically, lower back pain from too much studying. *No pain, no gain!* Sometimes pain pushes us to take action 🙂 Once I found my mental balance, I shifted my yoga practice toward alleviating back pain. To maintain a daily habit, I set aside a specific time and created a cozy space for myself—free from phones and distractions. This hour became my sacred time. I followed videos from my old instructor, lit scented candles, dimmed the lights, and played soft music in the background. This became a therapeutic practice, allowing my body and mind to relax completely in a safe space. You’d be amazed by the benefits you gain afterward.
Overcoming inner fears requires a psychological battle within yourself, but you don’t have to force yourself into unfamiliar routines immediately. Take it slow—start with 10–15 minutes a day and gradually increase your practice time. I believe you’ll conquer yourself.
So, act now! Don’t let insecurity or the “lazy monster” hold you back. Start by listening to your body with 10 minutes of practice each day!
What challenges have you faced with yoga? Share your story in the comments below—I’d love to hear it!
