Making your yoga practice your OWN.
Have you ever felt the urge for your yoga practice to look a certain way? Let me tell you a little story on this subject.
I was practicing on my partner’s balcony in Rio de Janeiro. A small family of monkeys lived nearby—they would visit regularly because my partner’s mom left them a little banana brunch in the mornings. While I was practicing, the youngest monkey kept staring at me, tilting its head as I moved in and out of handstands and headstands.
I couldn’t stop laughing.
Because in that moment, I suddenly saw it from the outside. This tiny human, upside down, trying so seriously to “master” something that—when you zoom out—is actually quite funny.
In an era where wellness and health are everywhere—constantly shared, shaped, and amplified through social media—it’s easy to feel a little lost in it all. We start to question where we fit in and how it’s suppose to look or feel. We compare, we label ourselves, we subtly compete. And in doing so, we can end up boxing ourselves in, limiting what our practice could actually be.
But… Our yoga practice is not meant to impress, prove, or show anything to anyone else. It’s not even about constantly improving or achieving. The real essence of the practice is to connect. To get to know yourself. To enjoy the process. To play and have fun!!
So instead of asking how your yoga practice should look, maybe we can start asking how it can feel more like your own.
Here are a few small ways I make my practice personal:
I listen to whatever music feels right that day. Yoga doesn’t always have to sound like singing bowls and ambient soundscapes—although there’s definitely a time and place for that too. If I’m moving through a strong vinyasa or doing strength work, I might play techno or Danish pop. When I’m balancing, I often find myself drawn to something softer, like Lana Del Rey or Eminem. Let your music reflect you to make your practice feel like yours.
I practice outside whenever I can—even when it’s cold. I’m Danish, and we have a saying: “There’s no bad weather, just bad clothing.” Being outside helps me feel connected and grounded. It becomes something I look forward to. Finding a space that feels good to return to can make a big difference.
Most of the time, I don’t think too much about what I wear. Of course, if I’m recording something I might put in a bit more effort—but the reality is that I spend a lot of time in surf camps, with salty hair and laundry situations. So I move in whatever feels comfortable and what I have left in my suitcase.
I like to work with simple mantras. More often than not, it’s our thoughts that get in the way—not our ability. So I tell myself ‘‘I’m able to do hard things’’, ‘‘Old ways won’t open new doors’’ and finally 'You cannot hate yourself into a version you want to love. Honestly, most of the time I laugh at myself when practing.
What makes your yoga practice feel like your own? What small things make it personal, unique, or meaningful to you?
I can’t wait to hear.
Lots of love, keep the stoke 🤍