"I'm Not Good at Yoga."
It's something I hear all the time.
"I'm not flexible enough."
"I tried yoga once and couldn't keep up."
"I can't get up and down from the floor."
"I'm just not good at yoga."
If you've ever thought one of those things, I'd like to offer another perspective.
Over the years, I've realized that many people aren't saying no to yoga—they're saying no to a version of yoga that doesn't feel supportive.
Maybe it moved too quickly.
Maybe it focused on poses that didn't fit your body.
Maybe it left you feeling like you were behind before you even began.
If that's been your experience, I don't think yoga failed you.
I think you were introduced to a version that wasn't what your body needed at the time.
The Problem Isn't Yoga
For many people, yoga has become almost synonymous with poses.
Images of people balancing on one leg.
Twisting into complicated shapes.
Moving through fast-paced flows.
Touching their toes.
It's no wonder so many people conclude, "I can't do yoga."
But poses are just one way we can practice awareness.
They're not the destination. They're simply one path that can help us notice what's happening in our bodies and minds.
When I say my work is rooted in yoga, I'm not talking about flexibility or mastering poses.
I'm talking about awareness.
What Yoga Teaches Us to Notice
When people ask me what yoga really is, I usually don't start by talking about poses.
I talk about awareness.
At its heart, yoga teaches us to notice what's happening without immediately trying to change it.
It invites us to notice our breath.
To notice where we're holding tension.
To notice how one side of the body feels compared to the other.
To notice how much effort we're using.
To notice when we need more support.
To notice how our thoughts influence the way we move.
That kind of awareness isn't something we practice only on a yoga mat.
It's something we carry into everyday life.
Why This Matters More As We Age
As our bodies change, awareness becomes even more valuable.
What felt supportive ten years ago may not feel supportive today.
Some days you'll have more energy.
Other days you'll need more rest.
Some days balance feels easy.
Other days it doesn't.
None of those experiences mean that your body is working against you.
They're simply information.
And the more we notice, the better we're able to support ourselves.
Listening Instead of Overriding
Many of us have spent years pushing through discomfort.
We've ignored stiffness, worked through fatigue, and believed that if something felt difficult, we simply needed to try harder.
Awareness offers another approach.
Instead of asking,
"How can I push through this?"
it asks,
"What is my body telling me today?"
Sometimes the answer is movement.
Sometimes it's slowing down.
Sometimes it's adding support.
The goal isn't to avoid challenge.
The goal is to respond rather than override.
This Is Why My Classes Look Different
When I first started teaching, I thought my job was to guide people through yoga.
Over the years, I've realized what I'm really teaching is awareness.
Yoga is the lens I teach through.
Whether we're building strength, practicing balance, using a chair, working on getting down to the floor, or taking a few intentional breaths, my hope is always the same: that you leave knowing your body a little better than when you arrived.
That's why my classes don't always look like what people expect when they hear the word yoga.
We might be practicing balance.
We might be building strength.
We might be using a chair.
We might simply be noticing our breath.
To me, it's all part of the same practice because it all begins with awareness.
I also want to acknowledge that I didn't grow up practicing yoga, and I don't come from the culture where it originated. I've learned through years of study, teaching, and lived experience, and I hold deep respect for its roots. The principles of yoga have shaped how I approach movement, and I do my best to share them with both gratitude and humility.
A Different Way to Think About Yoga
Maybe yoga isn't about the poses after all.
Maybe it's about learning to pay attention.
To notice how you're breathing.
To notice where you're holding tension.
To notice when something feels supportive—and when it doesn't.
That's what I hope people experience in my classes and inside the Confident + Clear Collective.
Yes, my work is rooted in yoga, but I'm not trying to help everyone become "a yoga person."
I'm using the principles of yoga—awareness, breath, compassion, and paying attention—to help women better understand and support their bodies.
Because once we notice what's happening, we can respond with the support our body is asking for.
The goal isn't to master a pose.
It's to become more aware of your body, your breath, and what helps you feel your best.
Awareness doesn't end when class is over.
It shapes how we move through our day, how we respond to challenges, and how we care for ourselves as life changes.
To me, that's the real practice.
Experience It for Yourself
If you're curious what awareness-based movement feels like, I'd love to invite you to experience it.
I've created a free collection called Support Your Brain + Body with three short practices designed to help you reconnect with your breath, your body, and what feels supportive right now.
There's no pressure to keep up or perform. Just an opportunity to notice, explore, and move in a way that meets you where you are.
You can explore it here:
unearthyourbalance.com/brainbodysupport
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