Have you ever walked into a room, and thought, “What was I thinking? I can’t do this!” or “There must be a mistake, I’m not qualified,” or even as simple as “What am I doing here?!?” You’re not alone! We’ve all experienced those moments of self-doubt and feelings of Imposter Syndrome! There are ways to conquer self-doubt though.

Moments of self-doubt when our ego tries to keep us playing small and in our comfort zone can pop up anytime. It’s our job to notice them for what they are and then take steps to overcome them.

Some effective ways to conquer self-doubt are counting our wins, making a plan, and getting on our yoga mats!

Count Your Wins!

Take a few minutes to write down five times you succeeded in the last week, month, or year. This can be especially helpful if you think of things that are similar to the self-doubt you’re feeling right now. For example, if you’re feeling apprehensive about going to a new yoga class, recall a time you tried something new (like a type of food, a painting class, or even a different hairstyle) and enjoyed it.

As humans, we tend to focus on the things that went wrong and forget about the things that went well. Remember those things that went well. No matter how small they may seem. Those are your wins! Those help you feel better.

Make a Plan!

Take time to make a plan to negate those feelings of self-doubt. For example, if you’re feeling nervous about a new project, whether at work or at home, make a list of the things that you’ll need to do in order to succeed. This is especially important with big projects! Checking off little steps, gives us the confidence to keep working toward the big picture.

Get On Your Yoga Mat!

Yoga gives us space to get out of our heads. Yoga helps us live in the present moment. And the present moment is when we can conquer that self-doubt.

Here’s a quick Yoga Twist Practice to Conquer Self-Doubt:

Parivrtta Dandasana (Revolved Staff Pose)

I like this pose because you get all the benefits of a strong twist and since the shoulder blades are squeezing together, it opens your heart. When you open the space around your heart, you feel more confident.

For Dandasana, press the back of your legs into the mat and lift up through the crown of your head.

Inhale, raise your arms to shoulder height.

Exhale, twist your upper body to the right.

Hold for 5 – 10 breaths.

Repeat on the left side.

Ardha Matsyendrasana (Half Lord of the Fishes Pose)

This twist releases tension, allows energy to move easily along the spine, and creates openness across the front of the chest to release self-doubt and build self-confidence.

From Dandasana, cross your right leg over your left and press your foot into the mat.

Inhale, lift your arms to shoulder height.

Exhale, twist your upper body to the right.

Press your left triceps into your right thigh as you bend left elbow.

Let your right hand come down to the mat behind you. Use this support to lengthen your spine.

Hold for 5 – 10 breaths.

Repeat on the left side.

Parivrtta Uttanasana (Revolved Standing Forward Fold Pose)

This twist is just like Parivrtta Dandasana but standing rather than seated. Therefore, you’ll get all those benefits plus improved balance and a greater hamstring stretch.

From Standing Mountain Pose, hinge at your hips to come into Standing Forward Fold Pose.

Bring your left hand onto the outside of your right leg (along the calf or ankle) or a block.

Inhale, twist your upper body and lift your right hand toward the sky.

Try to make a straight line from your bottom hand to your top hand.

Hold for 5 – 10 breaths.

Repeat on the left side.

Parivrtta Adho Mukha Svanasana (Revolved Downward Facing Dog Pose)

This pose is a true self-confidence booster! It’s a twist, it stretches your hamstrings and IT band, it lengthens your back, AND it’s a balancing pose! When we get into this pose, self-doubt seems to melt away.

From Standing Forward Fold Pose, step back onto Downward Facing Dog Pose.

Take three breaths in Downward Facing Dog Pose.

Exhale, reach your left hand to hold onto the outside of your right leg (along the calf, ankle, or heel.)

Hold for 5 – 10 breaths.

Take Child’s Pose before repeating on the left side.

Supine Figure 4 Twist Pose

Calm your body and quiet your nervous system with this spine twist.

Bring your right ankle to rest on your left thigh to make a figure-4 shape.

Let your arms relax down to the floor in a T-shape.

Exhale, bring your legs over to the left.

Press your right foot down and relax your left leg.

Hold for 5 – 10 breaths.

Repeat on the other side.

 

Be proud of yourself. You just conquered some of your self-doubt!

Come back to this yoga sequence often to conquer self-doubt! You’ve got this. I’m here to support you.

This sequence is an excerpt from one of the classes in our On-Demand Membership so if you prefer a guided practice it’s there for All Access and On-Demand members and for rent for everyone else. Either way, try to weave these poses into your normal yoga practice to, as we say in the Stacey Stufflebeam Yoga Membership, conquer self-doubt, build self-confidence, create joy, and dream bigger!