As yoga professionals we have all had moments where we have felt like we should be more perfect.

Do we know enough?

Do we honor yoga enough?

Should we even be doing this job?

What we do when perfectionism hits and how do we shift through those feelings into something that nourishes and cares for us the way we deserve?

Ann Swanson, author of The Science of Yoga & Meditation For The Real World has some answers for us.

KEY TAKEAWAYS:

*When we have been the person in your family or community who smooths everything over for everyone else; or the person who gets high praise in early life environments like school for doing well–it is easy to think that this is the path we need to stick to as an adult.  Being good feels good, safe, and what you are supposed to do.  Instead, consider how messiness and even failure lead to wild creativity and joy over time.  I know it feels scary at first, but embrace the mess and see where it leads you.

*Sending loving kindness to yourself when you are a person with perfectionistic tendencies can feel like a joke at first.  I remember once when I was training to be a yoga therapist in 2010 one of the teachers leading the asana class before our learning day repeated the phrase “You are safe, you are whole, and you are just where you need to be”.  My brain’s very first thought at that: “babe, you don’t know me”.  

That is one of the things we often think as perfectionists.  Our experience of our failures should always outweigh the softness and kindness we receive from others.  If that is relatable to you, go ahead and re-listen to Ann’s guided loving-kindness meditation and really take on the idea that you are worthy and whole and deserving of love and kindness…especially from yourself, and just like everyone else.

*Finally, go flip a coin.  Ann suggested this on the podcast, and I have actively practiced a similar version of this meditation for years.  Ann tells us to find something that we are struggling to decide on, take a coin and flip it.  Heads is yes you do it, tails is no you don’t.  Once you get the result sit with it for a bit and see how that feels in your body.  In my experience it is the force of your nervous system to make a decision that creates a bit of that internal wisdom we are always wanting to tap into to help guide us through making that choice.  

RESOURCES

Working In Yoga Website

Working In Yoga Newsletter

Ann Swanson’s Website

Preorder Ann’s Book

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