Practice

For many, Ashtanga yoga may evoke images of youthful, flexible practitioners twisting gracefully into challenging poses. This perception, deeply rooted in yoga’s modern history, suggests that the practice is predominantly tailored for the young and resilient. This belief, however, overlooks an essential truth about yoga’s adaptability and its potential as a lifelong practice.

Many yoga students walk into class thinking they need to “perform” the poses perfectly. If they struggle, they feel like they’ve failed. But when you use Radical Candor—balancing direct feedback with genuine care—you shift their mindset from perfection to progress.

Instead of saying, “That alignment is off,” try:

✔ “I love how focused you are—let’s adjust your stance a little so you can move with more ease.”

This tells them you see their effort and want to help them grow, not just critique their form.

Let’s explore a few more.