Yoga, inclusivity and improved self esteem

Visualise your typical yoga lover, and what comes to mind? Do you conjure a white woman, wearing Lulemon leggings, hair expensively highlighted – possibly married to a man in finance? If so, you’re not alone. Yoga has been colonised. Ripped from its ancient Indian roots and repackaged, as the domain of slender blonde girls. But actually it’s for everyone, and yoga and improved self-esteem go together like stretching and breathing.

Qualified yoga practitioner, Donna Noble believes that yoga is for every body – regardless of shape, size, colour or ability. Speaking to Happiful magazine, she says:
“Why would you practice something if you don’t see someone like you doing it? This is the core issue. We’re finding students are being put off and in turn missing so many wonderful benefits of yoga.”

And the benefits Noble speaks of are bountiful. There’s not just improved co-ordination, lower blood pressure and a greater sense of wellbeing. But there’s even studies which suggest it boosts self-esteem.

Yoga and its impact on self-esteem

Research from Goldsmith’s University discovered that practicing yoga poses for just two minutes a day can result in a substantial increase in self-esteem. And a further study published earlier this year from the Indian Institute of Technology , also found a significant elevation in the self-esteem of stressed students who took part in a yoga programme.

Group of women doing yoga, doing a variation of the warrior pose in vest tops and leggings.

It’s believed that practicing yoga poses helps soothe the parasympathetic nervous system and enhance self-awareness, self-acceptance and emotional regulation. Thereby leading to a more resilient state and a boost in self-esteem.

So this summer holidays why not join me in reclaiming yoga? You can do it in your pyjamas, surrounded by plastic toys with barely enough room to roll out your mat. If you want to learn more about inclusive yoga practices then I can highly recommend Donna Noble’s Insta account as a starting point. And a wonderful book that takes a wider look is Yoga and Body Image by Naomi Klein and Anna Guest-Jelley. It’s an oldie but still a goodie and it’s available at World of Books.

I’d love to hear your experience of yoga and improved self-esteem. If you’re happy to share, please comment below.

4 thoughts on “Yoga, inclusivity and improved self esteem”

  1. Hi there. I found your article very informative and read it with great interest. I have only recently discovered this blog and I am glad I did. I like your approach and your writing style. I will definitely be reading more articles. Congratulations on the blog and I wish you all the best!

    Reply
    • Thanks Quarian, my blogs updated weekly with all types of content ob counselling and self-esteem, so hopefully you’ll find plenty more that interests you.

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  2. Thank you for this enlightening article! Your insights into the need for inclusivity in yoga resonate deeply. I appreciate how you highlighted Donna Noble’s perspective that yoga truly is for every body, regardless of shape or background. It’s disheartening to see how the practice has been narrowed down to certain stereotypes. The research you shared, especially about the positive impact of just two minutes of yoga on self-esteem, is fascinating. I love the idea of reclaiming yoga in our own spaces, even in pajamas! I look forward to exploring Donna Noble’s Instagram and the recommended book, Yoga and Body Image. Your call for shared experiences is a great way to foster community—thank you for sparking this important conversation!

    Reply
    • Olivia, you’re so right – it’s important that every body and everybody feels like they’re able to practice yoga. Thank you for taking the time to post your beautiful comment.

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