"How do you continue to advance your yoga practice when you're worried you're going to hurt yourself in certain postures and will then have to stop practicing yoga to heal?" 

This question was a good one and coming from a source of wisdom and life-experience I have yet to obtain. It was asked by two of my students in their 70s and I, at 47 years of age, had to pause, put myself in their shoes and give them an answer that would not be flippant or disregard a real fear they were facing in their yoga practice. 

I immediately had a flash of my self sitting 20-feet from the top of Chimney Tops trail in the Smoky Mountains frozen in fear as I watched my husband climb to the top. 

"I have to teach yoga in two days, babe," I said. "What if I hurt myself and can't teach?" 

A woman sitting 10-feet away from me enjoying the view noticed my struggle. 

"It's not as bad as it looks," she said to me. "You can do it. It's a great summit!"

Sometimes we meet in angels in our life and here was one, urging me not to miss this moment. 

So, I took it one step at a time. I felt the fear of losing one of the things I love most in this life, teaching yoga, and cautiously moved forward. 

Remembering this moment, I said to my students, "Instead of thinking about what could go wrong and concentrating on that, change the thought to: It's safe for me to go a little further. Does that make sense?" 

They both smiled and nodded in agreement. They could go a little further. It didn't have to be a race into the advanced yoga posture, but a dipping of your toe into the waters to see what it felt like. 

And, let's face it, once you cross over into your 40s this fear comes up in yoga again and again. It's not just there in your 60s and 70s. 

It’s natural to feel hesitant about certain yoga poses—especially as we grow older. Thoughts like “What if I fall?” or “My body isn’t the same as it used to be” might creep in, holding you back from exploring your full potential.

But here’s the thing: yoga isn’t about having the “perfect pose” or looking a certain way. It’s about what you discover along the way—the strength, the resilience, and the self-compassion that grow when you face those fears.

If fear has been stopping you from trying something new in your yoga practice, here are some creative ways I use to help my students gently work through it:

1. Start Small and Build Confidence

This is how we approach all of the "scary" poses in my classes. Fear often feels overwhelming because we’re focusing on the end result. Instead, we break the pose down into smaller, manageable steps. For example, if certain balancing poses feel intimidating, begin with the wall or use a chair for support. Or, simply work for the first step of the pose. You'll go further in the next class and the next.

Every step forward is progress, even if it’s just lifting one foot off the ground for a breath. Celebrate those little wins—they’re the foundation for bigger breakthroughs. 

2. Use Props as Allies

Props like blocks, straps, or bolsters aren’t just for beginners—they’re tools that help us explore poses safely and confidently.

For example, if you’re hesitant about a pose like Firefly Pose, placing your hands on blocks can make it more accessible while building your strength and balance. Props allow you to feel supported so you can focus on what’s possible rather than what feels risky.

3. Reframe Fear as Curiosity

Fear often shows up when we focus on what might go wrong. Instead, shift your mindset and approach the pose with curiosity: “What happens if I try this?”

Yoga is about exploration, not perfection. By treating each pose as an experiment, you can let go of expectations and simply see where your body wants to take you today.

4. Focus on How It Feels, Not How It Looks

Your yoga practice is yours—it’s about what feels good in your body, not about matching an idealized image of a pose.

If a pose feels shaky or unfamiliar, remind yourself that those sensations are part of the journey. Every wobble, every adjustment, and every attempt teaches you something new about your body and its capabilities.

5. Take Your Time

Rushing into a pose can increase fear and hesitation. Instead, allow yourself plenty of time to prepare. Warm up your body, ease into the posture step by step, and pause as needed.

There’s no rush to “get there.” The act of doing what you can on any particular day is what matters most.

6. Embrace the Power of Falling (and Getting Back Up)

One of the biggest fears in yoga is falling—whether it's somersaulting out of an inversion or coming out of Crow Pose unexpectedly. But falling is just another part of the practice.

When it happens, laugh, breathe, and try again. We celebrate good falls in my classes. They are a big part of learning how NOT to fall. And, know that each time you get back up, you build not only physical strength but emotional resilience, too.

7. Surround Yourself with Support

Practicing in a supportive environment (like the Tori G. Online Yoga Studio and Community!) can make all the difference.

When you know someone is there to guide you, cheer for your wins, notice your breakthroughs, and knows you and your practice, it’s easier to step outside your comfort zone.

8. Remember Why You’re Here

At its core, yoga is about self-discovery, not self-judgment. Ask yourself: Why did I come to my yoga mat today? Is it to grow? To explore? To connect with yourself?

Let that purpose guide you as you face your fears. Each moment of courage, no matter how small, is a step toward honoring yourself and your practice.

The Courage to Keep Growing

Fear doesn’t mean you’re failing—it means you’re growing. Every time you choose to move through the fear, you’re choosing courage over comfort, curiosity over hesitation, and progress over perfection.

So the next time fear shows up in your yoga practice, take a deep breath, set aside judgment, and give yourself permission to explore. Who knows? You might just surprise yourself with what you’re capable of.

I hope this serves you well today! 

Big Hugs, 

Tori G. ♡