Yoga and Surrender

Learning to surrender to what I feel within, while surrendering to something larger than myself, has been one of the most challenging lessons so far. How freeing it must feel to no longer ask, “Am I a good person? Am I lovable?”

Practice Without Denying Our Humanity

I’ve come to realise that it’s not about denying our humanity, but embracing it — with our feet firmly on the ground while remaining open to new discoveries. Lessons are learned from the inside out. This, I believe, is one of the most essential aspects of the inner journey toward compassion and awareness.

My Inner Perfectionist

When I first started teaching Yoga, I was overwhelmed by guilt, believing I had to reach perfection. Being extremely sensitive, I often suppressed what I was feeling. But denial leads to turmoil, because what we don’t process stays in our bodies.

Practices that encourage us to suppress human emotions, pretending to be perfect, shining beings, can lead us down the dangerous path of self-denial and unconscious patterns that affect those around us.

My inner perfectionist was rarely my friend. I often felt unworthy of love and incapable of achieving my goals, always thinking, “I’m not ready yet.” However, like most things we learn on the job, it was essential to take the leap through fear into the unknown — not avoiding challenges, but embracing them.

Letting Feelings Flow Through Asana

I have reached a place where I can surrender to feelings in a way that doesn’t overwhelm me but guides me toward openness and understanding. Every human emotion is beautiful, and we must not deny ourselves. Instead, we can learn through experience, from ourselves and from others, in order to grow.

When I practice Yoga Asana, Pranayama, and Meditation, I let feelings flow while asking my body and higher self questions — not expecting all the answers straight away, but practising with patience and authenticity.

Overcoming Suppression

As adults, we often suppress our intuition, whether in survival mode or to conform to society’s demands. This can leave us hollow and unfulfilled, never feeling good enough. Self-acceptance is key to growth.

Our emotional and physical bodies are connected from our roots to our crown. Through Yoga, we can become more in touch with and aware of our bodies. Focusing on the breath during Asana practice helps us surrender to the present moment, scanning for sensations and becoming more at ease with our feelings. Whether considered “good” or “bad,” they are all part of us, guiding us toward wholeness, acceptance, and fulfilment — a state of flow.

Questions for the Body

We may have physical restrictions we want to work through first, enabling deeper exploration. Ask yourself: Where do I feel love? Where do I hold stress? If your shoulders feel tight or ache, it may indicate tension you are holding emotionally.

Listening to your body allows you to develop a Yoga practice that serves you in the most nurturing way possible. Mindful movement and awareness in Asana help us honour the emotional and physical connection within ourselves.

Conclusion

Learning to surrender is not about perfection or control. It’s about honouring your emotions, listening to your body, and practising Yoga with patience and authenticity. Each breath, every pose, and every moment of self-reflection is part of the journey. By embracing our humanity and moving with awareness, Yoga can guide us toward flow, acceptance, and a deeper sense of self.