OVERCOMING MENTAL BARRIERS
hERE ARE SOME SUGGESTIONS ON OVERCOMING THE COMMON MENTAL AND EMOTIONAL PRACTICE BARRIERS
Mental and Emotional Blockages That May Hinder Your Yoga Practice
Students on our courses often ask how they might overcome various mental or emotional states that they find are interfering with or disrupting their practice. What I want to cover in this post are not physical barriers. Yoga is, of course, more than just physical postures. Instead, I want to address the common mental misperceptions that can block your journey towards greater self-awareness, balance, and inner peace.
Here are 7 common barriers that might be holding you back and how you can overcome them.
1. Self-Doubt and Perfectionism
Many people hesitate to practice yoga because they feel they aren’t "good enough" or flexible enough. The truth is, yoga is about progress, not perfection. Let go of the idea that you need to master say, meditation and focus on enjoying the journey.
Solution: Embrace a beginner’s mindset. Celebrate small improvements rather than striving for a perfection.
2. Fear of Failure or Judgment
Whether you're in a class setting or practicing alone, fear of looking "wrong" or making mistakes can be a major obstacle. This fear can prevent you from fully immersing yourself in the practice.
Solution: Remind yourself that yoga is a personal experience, and everyone progresses at their own pace. If you're in a class, remember that most people are focused on their own practice—not judging yours.
3. Impatience
Expecting immediate results—whether in flexibility, strength, or inner peace—can lead to frustration. Yoga is a lifelong practice, and its benefits unfold gradually.
Solution: Shift your focus from outcomes to the present moment. Enjoy the process rather than fixating on how far you have to go.
4. Emotional Suppression
Yoga has a way of bringing deeply buried emotions to the surface. Sometimes, we resist certain poses or practices because they trigger unresolved emotions like grief, anger, or anxiety.
Solution: Approach these moments with curiosity and self-compassion. Allow yourself to feel and release emotions without judgment. Yoga nidra and meditation can help process these feelings.
5. Lack of Self-Discipline
A busy schedule, distractions, or a lack of motivation can make it hard to commit to a regular yoga practice.
Solution: Establish a routine that fits your lifestyle. Even five minutes a day is beneficial. Set small, realistic goals and make yoga a non-negotiable part of your self-care.
6. Negative Self-Talk
If you constantly tell yourself you’re not strong enough, flexible enough, or disciplined enough, these thoughts will create resistance in your practice.
Solution: Cultivate self-compassion. Replace negative thoughts with affirmations like “I am exactly where I need to be” or “I accept myself with love and compassion.”
7. Attachment to Ego
The desire to push beyond your limits to achieve difficult poses can lead to frustration or even injury. Yoga is purely about your personal experience, not showing off to others.
Solution: Focus on how poses feel, not how they look. Listen to your body and honour its needs instead of forcing movements.
By recognizing and working through these mental and emotional blockages, you can deepen your yoga practice and experience its true benefits—both on and off the mat. Remember, yoga is not just about flexibility of the body, but also the flexibility of the mind and heart.
