We all have that friend who seems naturally confident and fearless about being exactly who they are, regardless of the situation. Or, perhaps you are the confident one and have learned to tap into your true self and exhibit your personal power.
A healthy amount of ego can be a good thing—a strong sense of self-confidence drives success and helps us live an authentic life. True confidence comes from within and self-assurance is a quality that can be cultivated, practiced, and strengthened. It's not just something that comes naturally to some people, and not to others, with nothing we can do to improve our sense of self-confidence. Utilizing yogic techniques of asana, pranayama, and meditation, we can uncover and address the layers of insecurity obscuring our inner strength and practice improving our own self-confidence.
Sound good? How can yoga work to help you feel more self-assured in public or be able to speak your truth in a difficult relationship?
Yoga can help balance your Manipura chakra, which is associated with the ego, self-confidence, willpower, self-discipline, and fire. The Manipura or navel chakra is the third of seven main chakras or energy centers in your subtle body. By stoking your inner fire and burning off layers of inertia or insecurity, you release your personal power and meet life with a positive, proactive approach. You also learn to quiet your mind and learn to trust your gut instincts, which confident people do more easily.
Often, our own self-sabotaging behaviors and habits prevent us from being our most authentic self. We all have old patterns or beliefs known as vikalpas, which weaken our self-confidence. Learning to identify our own vikalpas and creating practices to release self-doubt can change negative patterns and enable us to reach our fullest potential. Who doesn’t want to operate with one hundred percent of our personal power, confidence, and vitality?
At the end of the day, yoga is a practice of uncovering our best self and committing to live our lives with energy, determination, and authenticity.
Shift your focus inside and strive to minimize your negative patterns, strengthen your muscles and bones, and walk taller as you navigate life. Your breath, your movement, and your intentions, can help you enhance your self-confidence and be true to yourself.
This week we bring you four practices, to tap into your own unique confidence. Enjoy being confident!
1. Pradeep Teotia - Be Bold
2. Kristen Boyle: Moksha - In Freedom we Fly
3. Erin Wimert - The Moment of Arrival
4. Eric Paskel - 20 is Money