When Ego Shows Up on the Yoga Mat
A few months ago, I joined a beginner-friendly yoga class at my local leisure centre. From the start, I felt my impatience rising with every slow, deliberate movement. I left the class frustrated, convinced it wasn’t for me. I had hoped to find a teacher and a class time that worked with my membership, and I felt disappointed that I hadn’t explored the full versions of any of the poses.
It wasn’t until weeks later that I realised what had really been happening. My ego had quietly taken over.
A Lesson in Patience
Most of the students in this class were older, and the pacing was far slower than the Vinyasa or dynamic Hatha sessions I usually attend and teach. I understood the teacher was moving at a pace suitable for the majority of the room. As a teacher myself, I know it’s important to meet students where they are, while offering variations or progressions for those who want a little more. In this class, I was the outlier.
I caught myself rushing through poses, trying to reach the “full expression” before the instructor could guide us there, or in this case not there. The focus was on alignment rather than expression, which forced me to rebuild each pose from the foundations. Being asked to hold positions until everyone was properly aligned and regular reminders to slow down moments, or not to rush ahead embarrassed me at first, but it was a quiet reminder I needed on reflection to slow down and be present.
“In the beginner’s mind there are many possibilities; in the expert’s mind there are few.”
“The battle of yoga is with the body and with the ego. You must conquer your ego, or small self, so that you can let your soul, your big Self, be victorious,”
Slowing Down and Letting Go
When I returned to the class a few weeks later with a new outlook on what the class was teaching me, everything felt different. The slower pace became a lesson in mindfulness rather than a frustration. I started to appreciate the focus on fundamentals and the opportunity to really connect with my body. The class reminded me that yoga doesn’t always need to be intense or “perfect.” With a busy job, frequent exercise, and ADHD, what I often need is less effort, not more. If anything it’s now seeped it’s way into my own teaching too. There is so much to gain from breaking down familiar poses and really working on the finer details. Giving students time in stillness, quietness to connect with what it is they are asking of their bodies, noticing how it feels, honing in on sensations and noticing thoughts that drift in whilst we pause.
Recognising Ego on the Mat
Ego shows up for all of us, even experienced practitioners. Noticing it is an important step toward growth and self-awareness. Practicing with humility allows us to deepen our yoga experience. Yoga is not about competition or comparison; it is about presence, balance, and inner peace.
It’s also worth remembering that yoga is much more than the physical poses we see in classes or on social media. In the West, it’s easy to equate yoga with flexibility, strength, or the perfect expression of a posture, but the physical practice is only one aspect. Our Yoga practice is as we learn in Patanjali’s Yoga Sutras comprised of 8 limbs, of which Asana is only 1.
Yama – Ethical Disciplines (Restraints)
Guidelines for how we interact with the world, including non-violence, truthfulness, non-stealing, moderation, and non-possessiveness.Niyama – Personal Observances (Disciplines)
Guidelines for self-care and inner growth, including cleanliness, contentment, discipline, self-study, and surrender to a higher power.Asana – Physical Postures
The physical practice most commonly associated with yoga. Asanas strengthen the body, improve flexibility, and prepare the mind for meditation.Pranayama – Breath Control
Techniques to regulate and extend the breath, which help control energy, calm the mind, and prepare for deeper meditation.Pratyahara – Withdrawal of the Senses
Turning the senses inward to reduce distraction and focus attention on the inner self.Dharana – Concentration
Developing mental focus on a single object, idea, or mantra to steady the mind.Dhyana – Meditation
Sustained, uninterrupted focus that leads to deeper awareness, insight, and inner peace.Samadhi – Union / Enlightenment
The ultimate goal: a state of complete absorption, inner bliss, and unity with the universal consciousness.
Yoga encompasses breath, mindfulness, meditation, ethical living, and self-awareness. By focusing solely on the physical, we can overlook the deeper purpose of the practice: cultivating balance, presence, and connection within ourselves and with the world around us.
Have you noticed your ego affecting your yoga practice? I’d love to hear your experiences in the comments below.
