How Yoga Can Free You From Comparison To Be Your Best Self

It can be all too easy to fall into the trap of comparing yourself to others, particularly in the digital era when we can scroll through every move of our friends and family, or even people we don’t know. Almost everyone has a moment of doubt when they might compare their appearance, achievements or status with others.

However, if comparison becomes a regular habit, it can be highly corrosive, distracting us from our true path in life and eroding our self-esteem and sense of self worth. Even comparing ourselves favourably to others can be a negative trait, because it means we are not truly at a state of inner peace, but are seeking external validation.

Here’s a look at how yoga can help us to view ourselves and others with more compassion, leading to greater personal growth and development. If you would like some more tailored and detailed advice on this topic, you may like to consider working with ahttps://www.meet-your-soul-yoga.com/services-4-1https://www.meet-your-soul-yoga.com/services-4-1.

Yoga teaches you to be non-judgemental of yourself and others

The ancient philosophy of yoga teaches us how to be accepting and peaceful of ourselves and of others. This frees up blockages in our minds and spirit that may have been hindering our personal growth, so the energy can be redirected to a more positive purpose. 

A yoga teacher may start with some simple grounding techniques such as deep breathing and becoming more aware of your posture. 

Yoga can help us let go of external validation

As you advance on your yoga journey, you will be introduced to the concept of ‘Aparigraha’, which translates to ‘non-attachment’. This encourages you to let go of the external sources you look to for validation, such as a need to look a certain way, have a perfectly decorated home or go to particular locations on holiday. 

Yoga is not just about developing the strength of the body, but also the strength of the mind and spirit. It can help you to redirect you away from draining your energy on social media or toxic friendships, and point you in the direction of more healthy behaviours and relationships. For example, you might decide to do a digital detox or stop seeing certain people.

Yoga can encourage self awareness and gratitude

Mindfulness and self-awareness are central to the practice of yoga. As you become more accomplished, you will recognise the sense of freedom that comes from harmonising your breath, body and mind. This can help you become more focused on your own path in life and less prone to distractions, because you will be better at anchoring yourself in the present.

Yoga also cultivates a sense of gratitude for what we have, making the urge to compare less frequent and compelling.