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The Art of Being in Relationship with Your Yoga Practice


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Photo by Laura Klauser, Costa Rica 2024



Yoga is often approached as a practice of doing—achieving a posture, deepening a stretch, or mastering a sequence. But what if we shifted our perspective? Rather than seeing yoga postures as something to obtain or conquer, what if we viewed them as something to be in relationship with?


Each posture has something to teach us. They are more than shapes we place our bodies into; they are mirrors reflecting who we are in the present moment. When we pause and truly listen, they reveal our tendencies—where we push too hard, where we hesitate, where we hold back. They highlight our strengths, our self-imposed limitations, and the thought patterns that shape our experiences both on and off the mat.


By shifting our approach from doing to being, our practice becomes less about external achievement and more about internal discovery. Instead of forcing our bodies into a posture, we begin to inquire: How does this pose feel today? Where am I resisting? What is this shape teaching me? In this way, every posture becomes an opportunity for self-awareness, deepening our relationship with ourselves through compassion and understanding.


And this relationship doesn’t stop at the edges of our mat. The way we engage with our yoga practice mirrors how we engage with life. As we cultivate patience, curiosity, and acceptance in our practice, we naturally extend these qualities to our relationships with others and the world around us. The more we understand ourselves, the more we can meet others with empathy, compassion, and connection.


So the next time you step onto your mat, resist the urge to “do” yoga. Instead, step into relationship with your practice. Let the postures speak to you, and in return, listen with an open heart. You might just find that the deeper you connect with your practice, the deeper you connect with yourself—and everything around you.



Reflection & Action Steps:

Here are a few ways to deepen your relationship with your yoga practice:


  • Pause & Observe – Before moving into a posture, take a breath and notice how you feel physically, mentally, and emotionally.

  • Practice Curiosity – Instead of striving for a perfect pose, ask yourself, “What is this posture revealing to me today?”

  • Release Judgment – Notice any critical thoughts that arise and gently replace them with self-compassion.

  • Take It Off the Mat – Observe how your tendencies in yoga mirror your habits in daily life. Where else can you practice patience or surrender?



Journal Prompts:

  • What posture do I struggle with the most, and what might it be teaching me?

  • How do I respond to challenges on the mat, and how does that reflect how I handle challenges in life?

  • In what ways can I bring more compassion into my yoga practice and daily life?

  • How does my breath change in different postures, and what does that tell me about my internal state?


Take a moment to reflect and explore—your practice is always speaking to you, if you choose to listen.


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