Yoga is more than just a series of poses and stretches; it’s a journey into the self that echoes the wisdom of centuries. Every yoga class holds the potential for profound insights, not just about our bodies, but about life itself. Yoga teachers, with their depth of experience and understanding, often share pearls of wisdom that resonate deeply, guiding us through life’s ups and downs.
In this post, I want to share some of the most life-changing things my yoga teachers have ever said to me. These lessons have not only deepened my practice but have also offered comfort and guidance in everyday life.
Table of Contents
1. The mat is like a canvas – when you want to change your life, it’s easier to first change your attitude on the mat; this will eventually influence your life.
At the beginning of my fire element yoga challenge with Çetin ÇetintaÅŸ, his words struck me immediately and stayed with me. He made me realize that while I was practicing yoga, my attitude and self-talk were often negative and fearful. Some poses were unfamiliar to me, and I was hesitant to continue or even give the pose a chance. In my life, I’m generally hesitant and afraid to embark on the unknown (which is exactly why I needed the fire element yoga challenge).
When he said this, it resonated with me deeply and accurately reflected my experience. I then began to observe my self-talk and tried to change my attitude on the mat. I became open to new sensations in my body, moving carefully in poses and enjoying them after realizing I wouldn’t hurt myself. I highly recommend this yoga series; I have experienced eye-opening changes not only in my body and flexibility but also mentally.
Over time, I realized the shift in my attitude and the changes in my life were interconnected. Normally, changing my attitude towards anything would take much more time, but as I pushed myself out of my comfort zone with yoga poses, this definitely accelerated the immersive effects of change in my life.
2. The first thing we do is to leave yesterday’s experiences in yesterday and continue our existence with the energy it brings to our body.
During the COVID pandemic, I was struggling with depression and anxiety. This period was particularly challenging for me, especially right after my graduation from college. As a philosophy graduate, I was confused about what I wanted to do next in life. Should I find a corporate job and strive to become financially independent, or should I pursue a master’s degree and an academic career?
My mental health struggles and the global confusion were overwhelming, and I started to feel like I had no control over my life or career. I doubted my ability to succeed in anything I started. Then, my brother introduced me to the “Be the Hero of Your Story” yoga series with Çetin ÇetintaÅŸ. The morning yoga routine in this series rescued me, so to say, offering me a fresh outlook on life.
At the beginning of the morning routine, as we opened into pigeon pose, Çetin ÇetintaÅŸ uttered these beautiful words, reminding me to let go of my anxiety, imposter syndrome, and self-loathing negative beliefs, and to make space for the new day’s energy.
3. Our attitude on the mat towards yoga and its poses reflects our attitude towards life.
This one correlates with the first quote but has a different effect on me. During my 21-day fire element yoga series, every word hit me at different times and resonated with me differently. I suddenly realized my self-talk and approach varied from pose to pose.
Some poses were easy to adapt to, while others were not. Within this limited timeframe (this time the yoga practice is 53 minutes), each move and moment of self-awareness felt like experiencing a month’s worth of experiences. This showed me my attitude towards varying degrees of difficulty in life. I have a variety of approaches, and it’s entirely up to me to change or be content with them.
4. You are where you belong.
Right after the end of the 21-day fire element yoga series, I started the next element: earth. It carried a totally different energy compared to the fire element. During the shavasana pose, Çetin ÇetintaÅŸ said, “you are where you belong,” and it felt like the right time for me to hear that. My career development had been fluctuating, but I kept coming back to my good, old friend, yoga. It was the first time I seriously considered practicing yoga professionally.
In this unknown yet full of surprises time period, I needed to hear those words because I was questioning whether pursuing a career in yoga was a wrong idea. But I was tired of doubting myself, and for the first time, I was ready to take the risk and develop a career in something I deeply enjoy and benefit from, so that others could be inspired and start to improve their lives with a low-budget and as a form of self-help, just like I did.
5. Leave everything in its place, at its time, in its form, and be respectful and grateful for the way they are.
“Leave the weights on your mat. You don’t need to carry these weights now; most of the time, you don’t need to bear these burdens. Leave everything in its place, at its time, in its form, and be respectful and grateful for things just as they are.”
At the end of the fire element yoga series, during shavasana, these words resonated with me, and something within me remembered that I don’t have any control over the past, how things happened, and I need to show respect to those events. Everything happens for a reason; neither I nor you have to understand them all. Let’s promise ourselves to stop fighting against our own selves and to be respectful and grateful for things just as they are. It has such a fresh and liberating vibe that we must appreciate everything and stop resisting.
6. Find comfort in the discomfort
“Growth happens in discomfort,” in one of my morning yoga series by Yoga with Kassandra stated as we held a pigeon pose. It’s a powerful reminder that discomfort often precedes change, whether it’s the stretching of muscles or stepping out of our comfort zones in life. Learning to breathe through and embrace discomfort has empowered me to face challenges with resilience.
7. Listen to your body, it knows the best
At the beginning of my yoga journey, I was at college, Bilkent University and taking yoga course as extra curricular activity. One of my first yoga teachers was said the importance of listening to our bodies and gives examples of how it knows the best for us. Our bodies communicate with us constantly, but often, we don’t listen. “Tune into your body’s wisdom,” was advice that taught me to honor my limits and recognize my needs, both physically and emotionally. This has been invaluable in preventing burnout and fostering self-care.
8. Your breath is your power
“Let your breath guide you and remind you of your strength,” another sage advised during a vinyasa flow. The breath, often overlooked in our daily hustle, is powerful. It centers, soothes, and energizes. Learning to control and harness my breath has been a game-changer, not just in mastering poses, but in managing stress and anxiety outside the yoga studio.
The journey through yoga is much more than physical. It’s a spiritual, emotional, and mental trek that offers invaluable lessons applicable both on and off the mat. The wisdom shared by yoga teachers has the power to transform, heal, and enlighten, guiding us toward a more balanced, mindful, and fulfilling life. Each quote, each lesson shared in this post, serves as a beacon of light, illuminating the path toward self-discovery, resilience, and peace. These teachings remind us that through presence, breath, balance, and self-love, we can navigate life’s challenges with grace and courage.
It’s Your Turn to Share What Your Yoga Teachers Said!
Now, I turn to you, dear readers. What are the most life-changing lessons you’ve learned from your yoga practice? How have these teachings transformed your approach to life’s ups and downs? Share your stories and insights in the comments below. Let’s create a community of support and inspiration, reminding each other of the profound impact yoga can have on our lives.
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Remember, the journey of yoga is one of continuous growth and discovery. Let’s embrace it together, one breath, one pose, and one day at a time.
Your journey is unique, and your insights are valuable. Let’s inspire and uplift each other with the transformative power of yoga. Share your journey, and let’s continue to learn and grow together. Let’s be friends on Instagram and share your valuable & unique journey with me! <3
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