If you’ve been to one of my yoga classes, I'm sure you've heard me share the importance of being kind to yourself—many times! 😊 In yoga, Ahimsa (non-harming/ kindness), is the first teaching in the yoga sutras. With the chaos of the world, I believe kindness towards ourselves is central, not just in our yoga practice, but in all aspects of life. If we are kind to ourselves we are kind and compassionate to all those we meet and they are kind to all the people they meet... and the effect continues...Indra's Web!
I love these words from the Dalai Lama:
“Be kind whenever possible. It is always possible. And be kinder than is necessary.”
And Sharon Salzberg reminds us:
“You yourself, as much as anybody in the entire universe, deserve your love and affection.”
One of the many questions I ponder is - Why is it often harder to be kind to ourselves than to others?
Many of us are our own worst critics - we dwell on mistakes, replay harsh inner dialogues, and struggle to offer ourselves the same compassion we give to others. But fortunately, with awareness, practice, and commitment we can change this!
Practical Ways to Cultivate Self-Kindness
Here are a few things you might like to try:
Start Your Day with Kindness
Avoid reaching for your phone the moment you wake up. Instead, give yourself a hug or set a positive tone with an affirmation like, “I am doing my best, and I will be kind to myself today.” This small act helps quiet the inner critic and lays the foundation for a self-compassionate day. And even if it feels silly at first, try it anyway!
Gentle Movement or Yoga
Move your body in a way that feels nourishing— gentle yoga, a short walk, or even dancing around your bedroom. Movement releases endorphins and reduces stress, it's a reminder that your body deserves care and respect. A great way to reconnect with yourself.
Speak to Yourself Like a Friend
Notice when negative self-talk creeps in and ask yourself, “Would I say this to someone I love?” If the answer is no, reframe this and say something kind to yourself without any judgment. “It’s ok, I know I’m hard on myself sometimes but I did manage to do……”
Celebrate Small Wins
Focus on what you have done rather than on what you haven’t. Take a moment to acknowledge even the smallest achievements, such as:
“I’m proud of myself for showing up to class today.”
“I made a healthy dinner for myself.”
Why Be Kind to Yourself?
Kindness isn’t just a feel-good practice—it’s transformative for your overall well-being. It has a real impact on the body, such as:
Reducing Stress: Self-kindness activates your parasympathetic nervous system, calming your mind and body.
Building Resilience: Being compassionate with yourself helps you recover more quickly from setbacks.
Strengthens Relationships: When you’re kind to yourself, it becomes easier to extend that same compassion to others.
What can you do that feels kind now?
Go on - Do a yoga posture, take a deep breath, step outside for fresh air, or give yourself a hug or a compliment. Notice how that felt, maybe awkward at first but you'll get used to it 😊
My intention for sharing yoga is always with kindness, you can find my offerings here: classes page and my upcoming restorative yoga workshops. I also offer therapeutic one-to-ones if you want a personalised practice.
I’m also delighted to announce the upcoming launch of the Kind Heart Yoga Community, where I will share practices and grow a community of kindness. Sign up here to stay updated and join this exciting journey.
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