Why Comparison is a Good Thing at the Start of Your Yoga Journey
Comparison ISN’T the thief of joy at the beginning of your yoga and fitness journey, even at that first moment you’re vulnerably searching for “yoga for beginners” or “yoga for back pain.”
In fact, comparison can be a GOOD THING.
Hear me out. I even say this as a coach of yoga for athletes, yoga for beginners, yoga for back pain… who strongly believes that your journey and progress are individual and SHOULD look totally unique.
If you’re like me — and if you’re reading this, probably something about us vibes — maybe you’ve always felt a little bit different.
TBH, I’ve always felt a little bit WEIRD. Historically, I’d do the things I thought I’d need to do to be the picture-perfect, holistic and spiritual “That Girl.”
But even now, as I mature (arguably) into adulthood, when I try these things… they just come out kind of off, lol.
The other day I hyped myself up that I’d have a stereotypical “hot Miami girl” pilates and juice type of day…
But when I got to the bougie studio and sat on a reformer, I realized I had grabbed two left grippy socks, FROM different pairs, and also, I was totally covered in cat hair. Everyone else in the place was a picture-perfect Stepford Wife with the purchased lips to match.
So yeah, when you’re out there, comparing yourself to normies in your yoga for beginners journey, and realizing you just don’t quite fit, comparison SUCKS.
So DON’T pay any attention to THAT kind of comparison.
But here is where comparison DOES come in handy — when you find YOUR PEOPLE, a community of like-minded people, with the same goals and the same outlook.
In my yoga for athletes, yoga for beginners, and yoga for back pain programs — especially my main program, Back off the Bench — I have a community chat group that is very active. We all know each other well; we talk often. People even meet up in person.
I curate that community VERY carefully so I know it’s supportive, and we have a group of people who KNOW what it’s like to NOT always do the thing perfectly, or to be a little bit different.
And in that case, comparison is AWESOME.
When I was studying to become a yoga teacher, I found people like that. I thought to myself, “These are NOT picture-perfect yogis like I thought you had to be, and they’re doing all this cool stuff.” I realized I didn’t have to fit a cookie-cutter yoga image.
It’s the same thing for my clients, who come to me looking for the best of yoga for athletes, yoga for beginners, and yoga for back pain.
They see that other people in my community have been through the same struggles they have, who have had the same thoughts and feelings…
And have made SO MUCH progress in their physical, mental, and emotional fitness.
In this case, the comparison of empathy, of walking similar paths — it’s a GREAT and MOTIVATING thing.
Moral of the story: Find your people, if you want to succeed!
So with all of that said, this is a little note that I’m opening up some slots in my carefully curated Back off the Bench yoga squad soon.
If you’re looking for yoga for athletes, yoga for beginners, or yoga for back pain, and you’re ready to…
increase your energy
increase your flexibility and reduce pain
strengthen your core
enhance your mental clarity
better handle stress
and sleep better…
Through a combination of
yoga
Pilates
bodyweight exercises
and meditation
with no equipment or gym time needed…
With a supportive community of like-minded individuals who rely on each other for motivation and healing, creating a space where personal growth and transformation thrive…
…Let’s talk and see if it’s a fit.
Book a free 20-minute Tactical Talk today — this is not a pushy sales pitch, but rather a conversation about your current situation, with free advice, strategies, and resources you’ll take away for next steps.
And in the meantime, if you’d like a FREE 20-minute video for yoga for back pain, yoga for core strength, and yoga for tight hips… click here to get it delivered to your e-mail inbox!
In service,
Arielle, Halftime Yoga