Growing self-esteem through Yoga

'I love you.' 
Not so hard, is it? 

When you love and accept yourself, just as you are; life just gets better and better. 

Self-esteem is how you feel about yourself.

High self-esteem is having positive beliefs and expectations about self. 
Low self-esteem is having negative and low expectations about self. 

A student’s self-talk is a strong indicator of self-esteem. For instance, ‘I can’t do this posture,’ usually means; ‘I don’t have faith in myself’. And ‘This is too hard,’ usually means ‘Life is hard and I am afraid to try’.

Other indicators of self-esteem during yoga are pushing into postures because ‘I must achieve’. This means, ‘I will push myself into doing things I don’t want to do even if it hurts me’.

As you notice the struggle, use this as your guide for improvement. Say things like ‘There is no right or wrong; there is no need to push; just relax and allow the posture (and life) to come to you. Let go and trust that you (and the world) will support you’.

Self-esteem can be improved at any age by offering positive acknowledgment of virtues.

Acknowledge peaceful and self-accepting moments to show children that life is easier if you can accept where you are in this moment. Use affirmations like ‘accept yourself right here and now’ and ‘I am where I am, and it’s ok’.

By improving self-talk, self-esteem and communication improve.

Yoga improves self-esteem by mirroring desired virtues. Warrior Poses reflect assertiveness. Child’s Pose reflects acceptance and humility (being humble). 
Lion Pose improves the ability to ‘speak up’. Dancer’s Pose improves grace and confidence.

Virtues developed through the physical body become a part of the emotional body. All emotional experiences become part of the physical body and evolve its shape and posture. It is all interconnected.

When you are true of purpose, in mind, body and spirit, you move with confidence and joy. When you open your heart to love, you experience freedom and spontaneity.

Yoga improves emotional IQ by offering
 a space where body language reflects emotional language and by improving the body, the mind follows.

Using yoga as the tool for personal transformation is a loving, healthy, peaceful and honourable way to improve self-esteem in yourself, your family, your community and the world.

Loving the self leads to loving others


Monica Batiste
From my children's book Yoga for Little Bears