What’s Your Yoga Telling You? How to Listen to Your Body on the Mat
Shhhh… listen.
What is your yoga trying to tell you?
Let me tell you a story.
I was in class one day in New York City with one of my most beloved teachers, Dana. We were moving through a juicy, playful flow. The energy was high, and I was totally in it—sweaty, focused, grounded. Dana kept saying, “Pay attention to your hands.” And I was! I was spreading my fingers wide, rooting down, making sure my palms were firm and present.
After holding Warrior II for a few breaths, we flowed down, hands coming to frame the front foot. And that’s when I saw them—my hands. And they were glowing.
Not in a fluorescent-80s-neon-sign kind of way, but there was this vibrancy, this presence in them that caught me off guard. They looked alive. Alive in a way I hadn’t noticed before. I paused, mesmerized.
Now, listen—I don’t have what you’d call “delicate” hands. Once, someone I worked with actually told me I had “man hands” (charming, right?). I’m not a manicure-every-two-weeks kind of girl either. My hands are practical, strong, and usually only get special treatment when they’re dry and cracking in the winter.
But that day… that day they were magnificent.
And in that moment, I felt an overwhelming wave of love—not just for my hands, but for my entire body. For my life. For every fall, every stumble, every time I stood up again. For every dance move, yoga pose, and breath my body had carried me through.
It wasn’t about perfection. It wasn’t even about “fitness.” It was about presence. Gratitude. And yes—a deep, sacred kind of love.
That’s the thing yoga can do—it brings us face-to-face with ourselves. Through the vehicle of the body, we get to explore our inner terrain.
And sure, there are teachings that say to “go beyond the body,” that your body is not who you truly are. And that may be true. But also?
Your body is your temple.
It holds the map to your experiences. Your joy, your grief, your resilience, your wisdom.
When we pay attention—really pay attention—we start to listen. We start to hear what’s beneath the surface.
Your Practice as a Mirror
Your yoga practice isn’t just about stretching muscles or building strength—it’s a dialogue. Every shape you take on the mat has something to tell you.
That stiffness in your hips?
That flutter in your chest during backbends?
That moment in Savasana where a memory floats up out of nowhere?
It’s all information. It’s all part of your inner landscape.
Yoga is the mirror—and if you’re willing to look, it can show you who you really are.
So how do you start listening more closely?
Here are a few simple ways to turn your practice into a powerful tool for inner awareness:
1. Start With Intention
Before you even move, ask yourself:
What do I need today?
Where do I feel resistance—physically, mentally, or emotionally?
How can I meet myself with compassion today?
This simple check-in creates space for honesty. It’s the first step to tuning in.
Try this pose:
🧘♀️ Child’s Pose (Balasana)
Let your forehead rest, take a few grounding breaths, and listen inward. Ask:
What’s rising for me today?
What am I holding that I no longer need to carry?
2. Notice What Comes Up—Without Judging
As you move through poses, observe. Some shapes might feel amazing. Others might make you irritable, distracted, or emotional. That’s okay.
The key is curiosity over criticism.
Try this pose:
🧘♂️ Warrior II (Virabhadrasana II)
It’s strong. Steady. Demanding.
Ask yourself:
Where am I finding strength?
Where am I resisting?
Can I hold steady while staying soft inside?
3. Pause. Feel. Reflect.
Build in moments of stillness—between flows, after challenging poses, or at the end of class. Don’t rush to the next thing.
Stillness is where insight bubbles up.
Try this pose:
🧘♀️ Seated Forward Fold (Paschimottanasana)
Soften the effort. Let gravity do the work.
Ask:
What am I willing to let go of today?
Where am I gripping—physically or emotionally?
Can I soften just 10% more?
4. End With Gratitude
Before you roll up your mat, place one hand on your heart and one on your belly. Close your eyes and say thank you—to your body, to your breath, to the moment.
Try this pose:
🧘♂️ Savasana
No effort. Just being.
Ask:
What do I want to carry with me from this practice?
What did I learn about myself today?
Optional Journaling Prompts
When the practice ends, the reflection doesn’t have to.
Keep a notebook nearby, and explore one or two of these questions after class:
What did I notice in my body today that surprised me?
What emotions showed up on the mat? Did I push them away or let them be?
How did my energy feel before, during, and after practice?
What part of me feels like it needs more attention or love?
What is my body teaching me about resilience, softness, or truth?
One More Thing
Your yoga practice is more than poses—it’s a relationship.
Some days, it’ll feel magical. Other days, it might feel hard, or even frustrating. But each time you show up, you’re creating a space to connect. To listen. To remember who you are beneath the noise.
So next time you step on your mat, take a breath.
And ask: What is my yoga trying to tell me today?
Then… listen.
You just might be amazed by what you hear.