Are you competitive in yoga class? Maybe not on purpose? Or maybe it’s a internal competitiveness either for a personal goal….or maybe you’re feeling just a bit self-judgmental. (Did we make up a new term?)

Essentially, we’re a pretty competitive society (hello, capitalism!) – it often helps us understand progress and encourages us to reach the “next level.” Sometimes competition is good and healthy and whatnot, but part of what makes yoga different from other life stuff is that it asks WHY. Or, rather, it encourages YOU to ask why.

Today.com reached out to us for input on competitiveness in yoga class. ‘What are ways to not be competitive?’ they wanted to know. We thought about it for a minute and then YD founder Jennilyn Carson offered some tips.

Here are a few of our faves shared in the article:

3. Accept that you may never be able to do some poses We’re all built differently, so your body may not be meant to fold, twist or bend a certain way, even if your neighbor can, Carson said. “There are some poses I will never be able to do and I don’t even try them. I’m OK with that,” she noted. 6. Pay attention to your intentions Since yoga encourages lots of self-inquiry, Carson suggested asking yourself: For what and for whom am I making this goal or setting this bar for myself? “Are you trying to be as super rock star posing yogi, or are you doing it so you can grow a little bit more?” she noted. We all like to move forward and do better, but in yoga doing better may mean being able to be still for an extra minute, or keeping your balance for 30 seconds in tree pose, Carson said. 8. Tell yourself: “You’re exactly where you need to be right now” That’s Carson’s go-to mantra in the yoga studio and beyond. “Things are moving the way they should be. It takes the pressure off. It’s very helpful,” she said.

Other tips come from NYC yoga teacher Tanya Boulton and Denver-based yoga teacher Drew Overholser, and all of them sound pretty helpful. Check out the full article here.

Have your own tips or suggestions? Let us know.

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