5 gentle ways to stay true to yourself during yoga
You don’t need to be enlightened to allow yourself to shine.
A yoga studio often feels like a safe space. And yet, even in a room filled with warmth and good intentions, it can also bring up some discomfort. You might notice yourself adjusting how you move. You might hold back or compare. Even in familiar spaces, being fully yourself isn’t always easy.
June is Pride Month. A reminder that self-expression matters, and that feeling safe to show up as you are isn't something to take for granted.
Here are five common experiences that many people have but rarely say out loud, and how to meet them with softness and care.
1. When you feel judged
You walk into the room and feel like someone might be watching. Or maybe you just think they are. You wonder if your body stands out. If your clothes are too much. If your breath is too loud. Even in a yoga class, it’s easy to worry about what others might think.
What might help:
Choose a teacher or class that helps you feel at ease. Trust your sense of safety.
Close your eyes now and then. Let your attention turn inward.
Move the way your body wants to move. That’s yoga too.
2. When you compare yourself to others
You glance around the room and notice someone in a deep expression of a pose. Someone flowing with ease. Someone who seems more peaceful, more graceful, more advanced. You hadn’t meant to compare, but here you are.
What might help:
Remember: everyone carries something you can’t see.
Begin class with the intention to stay close to yourself. Return to it when needed.
A single conscious breath can be enough to bring you back to your own space.
3. When you hold back
Sometimes you hold back without realising it. You pick a safe spot in the room. You silence a question. You change how you move to blend in. You try not to take up too much space.
What might help:
Wear what feels right for you, even if it stands out.
Ask questions when something doesn’t feel clear. Your voice belongs.
Give yourself time. You don’t need to feel at home right away. Let it grow.
4. When the room feels open, but not for you
The vibe might be warm, but something still feels off. Sometimes it’s in the language used. Or the imagery. Or small assumptions that don’t match your reality. You might feel like you’re the only one who doesn’t quite fit the frame.
What might help:
Let us know when something doesn’t feel right. We’re here to listen.
Find a teacher who sees you. It makes a difference.
Inclusion takes ongoing care. Your experience matters.
5. When you feel unsure in your body
Some bodies are shown more than others. Some stories are told more often. If yours isn’t one of them, it can be hard to feel at ease. You might feel the urge to hide. You worry how you move. You feel like your body doesn’t belong here.
What might help:
Choose practices that focus on feeling – Yin, Restorative, Somatics, Hatha & Meditation.
Breathe deep into your belly and feel your body as a place you belong.
You’re not alone. When you show up as you are, you help make space for others too.
At Yoga Moves, we believe yoga should feel like a place where you can come home to yourself – however you show up.
Pride Month is a reminder to honour your experience, and to make room for others doing the same.