Imagine you are about to face a very challenging situation, yet you manage to meet it with such self assurance that you not only succeed in what you want to do but the others involved feel good about it as well.  

This is self-esteem in action, and you can cultivate this quality yourself and one of the most effective ways to do this is through the art of yoga.

There are two different types of confidence

One is born out of the skills and talents we have cultivated in our life.  We feel confident when we are in situations where we use those talents but this type of confidence is limited to the situations we are already good at.  

There is another kind of confidence which is a rich sense of inner fulfilment that enables us to feel good about ourselves in just about any situations life can offer. This is true self-esteem.

Yoga can help you build self-esteem and confidence with with variety of classic asanas, meditation and movement sequences. But Dru Yoga goes to another level by taking these classical movements and empowering them with visualisation, affirmations and mudra. This means they work on more than just the body or energy levels – they help to positively transform negative thinking and the unhelpful emotions.

Yoga that builds self esteem

Surya Namaskara or the sun salutation enhances your solar energy, giving you dynamism, resourcefulness and enthusiasm in all that you think and do. Traditional yogis will practice 24 rounds of the sun salutation but even one to three rounds will transform how you are feeling about yourself so that you feel more empowered.  By honouring the sun through movement you reignite your own power to shine.

Tadasana1 or the mountain posture gives you the foundation alignment for all other postures but it also gives you a balanced foundation from which to work from in your life.  In tadasana we learn to stand tall and strong, centered within our personal power, and self-confidence.

Ravaya Namaskar1 or the Inner Fire Sequence is a series of movements unique to Dru Yoga that builds confidence by increasing an inner sense of strength.  It directs energy from your heart to your solar plexus so that you release the power and determination needed to overcome obstacles.

The traditional Parivritta Trikonasana or Rotating Triangle is also good at this level as it unlocks blocked emotions in the lower chakras, the energy centers in the body, and helps you to find creative solutions to life’s challenges.

Yoga is used to unify all aspects of our being, so most asanas and postures will engender feelings of greater wellbeing and confidence.  When you deliberately target the mind and the emotions to transform, then you  zn reveal what is already yours – positive and radiant self esteem.

References

1.    Dru Yoga Stillness in Motion.