Breaking Free
In yoga philosophy, we often talk about samskaras—the grooves of thought and behavior that shape the stories we tell ourselves. These stories can become like well-worn yoga mats: familiar, comfortable, and maybe even sacred… but also limiting if we never roll them up and step beyond.
Many practitioners get caught here. They confuse comfort with enlightenment, and clarity with action. But the truth is this: the people who change their lives—and the world—are rarely the ones who wait until they feel “perfectly aligned.” They are the ones who are willing to move forward while still in the fog.
Commitment Over Clarity
In the yoga world, we sometimes get paralyzed by the desire for certainty. Should I teach Vinyasa or Yin? Should I host that retreat or wait until I have the perfect venue? Should I go deeper into philosophy before I lead my first workshop?
The yogis who make the biggest impact don’t wait for the answers. They lean into the unknown. They show up, consistently, even when they don’t feel ready. They embody tapas—the discipline, the fire, the willingness to sit in discomfort until transformation happens.
Think of yoga pioneers like B.K.S. Iyengar or Pattabhi Jois. Were they “enlightened masters” when they began? Hardly. They were committed practitioners who built systems, trained bodies, and cultivated resilience. They changed the global yoga landscape not through perfect clarity, but through unwavering practice and bold action.
The Custom “Hood” of Your Own Story
Too often, our own story becomes a custom-made hoodie—cozy, familiar, and hard to take off. “I’m too old.” “I don’t have the right training.” “I’ll start once I’m more flexible / have more money / feel more spiritual.”
But yoga teaches us that these narratives are just another layer of illusion (maya). They feel safe, but they are not truth. To move forward, we must be willing to shed these garments, to practice vairāgya (non-attachment), and to tolerate the chill of discomfort while we grow.
Courage Over Comfort
The yogis who move mountains are those who:
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Step into teaching their first class even when their hands are shaking.
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Launch their first retreat even if only five people sign up.
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Share their authentic voice, even when it doesn’t sound like everyone else’s.
They are not necessarily the “most enlightened.” They are the most courageous, the most consistent, and the most committed to a vision they can barely see—but feel deeply.
Tools to Get Unstuck
If you feel trapped in your story or paralyzed by perfectionism, try these tools:
1. Action Before Answers
Commit to one small step toward your vision without needing to know the “how.”
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Example: Schedule your first yoga workshop. The details will refine themselves in motion.
2. Practice Discomfort
Yoga postures themselves teach us this. Hold a lunge 10 breaths longer. Rest in stillness when your mind screams for distraction. Train your nervous system to tolerate the edges.
3. Shift the Story
Instead of repeating, “I can’t,” ask, “What if I could?”
Instead of, “I’m not ready,” try, “I’m ready enough for this moment.”
4. Anchor in Consistency
It’s not about big leaps, but about steady drops of water carving stone. A consistent daily practice—on the mat, in meditation, or in action toward your mission—is what transforms.
Journal Prompts
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What story am I telling myself that keeps me safe but stuck?
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What small, brave action can I take today without needing to know all the steps?
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Where am I waiting for “clarity” instead of building it through consistent practice?
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How can I embrace discomfort as part of my yoga, not something to avoid?
A Closing Reminder
The yoga path is not about waiting until you feel fully enlightened or perfectly ready. It’s about showing up—again and again—with courage, with discipline, and with heart. The world doesn’t need your perfection. The world needs your consistency, your bravery, your willingness to step forward while still learning.
So, roll up the story that’s keeping you safe. Step onto a bigger mat—the one called life. And begin.
“Abhyāsa (practice) and vairāgya (non-attachment) are the wings that carry us toward freedom.” ~ Yoga Sutras of Patanjali
in gratitude and love,
Tymi
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