It’s my birthday! And it has me reflecting—on the past, lessons learned (some forgotten), and the person I want to become.
Last weekend I read a wonderful novella written by my friend Veronica. It’s called The Incomplete Artist (you can grab it here!) I loved it, recognized many characters and related to so much. One chapter, in particular, stood out to me—it’s about harnessing power, having the courage to leap, and choosing the less predictable path.
I used to love taking leaps—big ones, like moving across the country, and smaller ones, like learning to kayak without worrying about falling in (I did fall in!)
Somewhere along my journey, I’ve become more of a cautious stepper, testing the ground before I move, hesitating before I jump.
But deep down, I know I don’t want to live with regrets because I am afraid to take chances. This year, I want to embrace courage. Not just in big, life-changing decisions but in small, everyday ways.
The Warrior Mindset & Yoga as a Training Ground
My teacher, Leslie Pearlman, always says that the yoga mat is a laboratory for life. It is a space where you can explore and build qualities that you want to embody off the mat.
So how do we cultivate courage in our yoga practice? Here are a few ideas I came up with.
- Let go of appearances. Courage in yoga starts with letting go of appearances. It’s not about how a yoga pose looks or who is looking at you. It’s about how it feels and what it teaches you.
- Try things that feel hard. It’s easy to stick with what feels comfortable. But what’s one pose—or one area of life—that challenges you? Are you willing to lean into it, even just a little? Courage grows in the space between hesitation and action.
- Feel the fear and do it anyway. Notice any hesitation, acknowledge it, and then go for it anyway. Always be safe, of course, but don’t let habit or fear dictate your practice.
- Forgive yourself and be kind. Self-compassion is intertwined with courage—allow yourself grace in the process. Don’t beat yourself up for “failing.” Instead, celebrate that you showed up and tried.
- Practice Warrior poses with intent. Strong, steady, and grounded, these poses remind us of our inner power—even in moments when we feel anything but strong. Step into them with purpose. Breathe into the strength already inside you.
Beyond the Mat: Letting Go of What Others Think
The fear of what other people think can be paralyzing. What if I make a mistake while teaching a yoga class? What if I look like a dork trying a new technique in karate? What if I eff up my presentation or people hate my video? (True stories from my brain.)
That fear—of looking foolish, of failing, of being judged—can hold us back. But what if we let it go? What if we lived in a way that honored our inner knowing instead of worrying about external opinions?
That takes courage.
Recently, two different friends recommended The Let Them Theory by Mel Robbins. Clearly, the universe is trying to tell me something. I haven’t read it yet (it’s now on my list!) But from what I understand, the book explores how to let go of the fear of what others think and focus on doing what’s right for you.
A Courageous Invitation
This week, I invite you to take one small step toward courage—on or off the mat. Try a pose that intimidates you. Speak up when you’d normally stay quiet. Say yes to something that excites you but maybe scares you a little.
I’d love to hear—where in your life do you want to be more courageous? Hit reply and let me know.
Let’s inspire each other to take that leap.