Embracing Vulnerability

Vulnerability. Heartbreak. Illness. Injury. Love. Loss.

All of these touch a vulnerable space inside of us.

Today I want to share why embracing vulnerability can be a super skill instead of a pitfall—for your relationships and for life.

We often think vulnerability makes us less lovable, weak, or unattractive.

What if it’s actually the opposite?

Try relating to your vulnerability as “openness”, not weakness. It’s a space where you are unguarded, unshielded, capable of being touched and seen by the world.

The truth is, we are all vulnerable. No matter how many layers we put up to protect ourselves, we are, as human beings, fragile. Try holding your breath for more than a minute—you’ll see what I mean.

When we build walls to protect ourselves, we don’t win and we aren’t truly “safe”.

We cut ourselves off from feeling, connection, and intimacy. Vulnerability is the core of true, authentic connection—which is what we all crave.

As Ana Forrest, my teacher, has said to me, “when you shield your heart, you are suffocating your heart.”

Despite how terrifying it can be, nothing is more nourishing than being met at the depths of your heart, emotion, and love.

So, what happens for you when things feel tense or uncertain? Do you close off? Create masks to protect yourself from letting others in?

And what if you didn’t?

Some of life’s most precious moments happen when we allow ourselves to be vulnerable. It awakens a knowing that we are all human, living this precious life together—not separate.

How can your yoga or meditation practice support this?

Through softening. Through breath. In yoga, your shields naturally come down as you move and breathe. This ripples off the mat and into your life.

Next time you stand in front of a friend or a loved one, slow down. Feel your hands and feet. Feel your breath. Soften your eyes and heart, and truly see them—their beauty, challenges, and goodness.

Micro-moments of vulnerability are a great place to start.

Happy holidays, my sweet community!