Self-forgiveness is one of the greatest gifts we can give ourselves. Through it, we release the weight of the past and open ourselves to the joy of the present moment. From a yoga perspective, forgiveness—especially of oneself—is not just about letting go of mistakes. It’s about freeing our hearts and minds, allowing us to move forward with peace and happiness.
But why is self-forgiveness so important? How can it guide us to joy and spiritual growth? Let’s explore how yoga teaches us to embrace self-forgiveness, and how we can begin practicing it in our lives today.
The Power of Self-Forgiveness
Self-forgiveness is the key to letting go of the past. We all make mistakes, say things we wish we hadn’t, or hold onto regrets. But when we refuse to forgive ourselves, we carry the weight of those experiences with us. This prevents us from being fully present in the moment, which is where true joy and healing occur.
Eckhart Tolle teaches, “The past has no power over the present moment.” This is a powerful reminder that the only time that truly matters is now. By forgiving ourselves, we release the hold the past has over us and allow ourselves to embrace the joy and peace that comes with being fully present.
Yoga invites us to let go of what no longer serves us, including self-judgment. As I navigate my days as a busy mom, balancing work at home as an online reading teacher, motherhood, and my passion for teaching yoga, I have had moments where I’ve felt overwhelmed or disappointed in myself. Maybe I didn’t get a great review from a parent after teaching their child (even though I’m amazing at it!) and maybe I reacted to that in a not calm way. Or those times I felt frustrated when my sweet toddler Ezra needed lots and lots of attention while I was trying to film a simple and short yoga video for YouTube.
In those moments, my goodness it’s easy to be hard on ourselves, right? That negative mental self-talk and the feelings that come with it – shudder. But yoga teaches us to pause, take a deep breath, and extend compassion to ourselves.
Why Self-Forgiveness is Vital for Joy
Self-forgiveness is not just about healing the past, it’s also a direct path to joy. The present moment is the only place where joy can exist, and when we are burdened by guilt or shame, we miss out on the beauty of the here and now.
A Course in Miracles speaks about forgiveness as a way to see things differently, not just to pardon mistakes but to understand that we are all learning and growing. This can be interpreted simply as: “We all deserve grace.” Forgiving yourself isn’t an excuse to avoid responsibility, but an acknowledgment that you are worthy of kindness and a fresh start. Through forgiveness, we align with the joy that naturally exists in the present.
As yogis, we know that the breath is a gateway to the now. When we forgive ourselves, it’s like taking a deep breath after being underwater for too long—we emerge refreshed and free to experience the beauty of life. The joy we seek is already here, waiting for us to release the past and embrace the now.
Tips for Practicing Self-Forgiveness in Yoga
Here are a few yoga-inspired tips to help you start practicing self-forgiveness and welcome more joy into your life:
1. Practice Non-Judgment (Ahimsa)
Ahimsa, or non-harming, is one of the foundational principles of yoga. This includes non-harming towards ourselves. When negative thoughts arise about past mistakes or regrets, notice them but choose not to engage in self-criticism. Practice kindness instead. You might say to yourself, “I did the best I could with what I knew at the time,” and let go.
2. Breathe into the Present Moment
The breath is a powerful tool for bringing us back to the present. When we get caught up in past mistakes, a simple practice is to pause and take several slow, deep breaths. With each inhale, feel yourself letting go of guilt. With each exhale, welcome peace and joy. Truly feel the energy entering you more and more with each breath.
You can perhaps imaging Peace and Joy as friends, or as Angels entering your being intending to stay. Whatever works for you!
As Eckhart Tolle reminds us, “Realize deeply that the present moment is all you ever have.” This simple yet powerful statement highlights the essence of mindfulness and spiritual awareness. The present moment is the only reality that exists—everything else, such as the past or future, is either a memory or an imagination.
When we dwell on past mistakes or worry about the future, we miss the richness of life unfolding before us. The beauty of yoga, like Tolle’s message, is that it teaches us to ground ourselves in the now. Through mindful breath and movement, we reconnect to the present moment, where all of our power, peace, and joy reside.
In terms of self-forgiveness, this means that we must let go of the past in order to fully embrace the present. We often hold onto guilt, regret, or shame from past actions, but these emotions tie us to what no longer exists. When we forgive ourselves, we free our minds from those old patterns and allow ourselves to fully engage with life as it is right now.
Tolle’s wisdom urges us to realize that joy, peace, and growth can only happen here in the now. Each time we come back to the present—whether on our yoga mat, with our breath, or through self-compassion—we find the freedom and joy that are always available to us.
3. Incorporate Heart-Opening Poses
Yoga poses like Camel Pose (Ustrasana) or Bridge Pose (Setu Bandhasana) can help open the heart, releasing stuck emotions and inviting compassion. Come into a pose and see if you can hold it for 5-15 breaths.
See my yoga video below for some great heart-opening poses in a yoga flow! I hope you enjoy this one.
As you move through these poses, visualize letting go of self-judgment and replacing it with love and acceptance. Imagine there’s a door to your heart and open it as you invite in the feeling of acceptance. The physical act of opening your chest in the pose can symbolize an emotional opening towards yourself.
4. Forgive Through Meditation
Guided meditation can be a wonderful way to practice self-forgiveness. Find a quiet place and sit in a comfortable position. Close your eyes and focus on your breath. With each breath, repeat the affirmation: “I forgive myself and release the past. I am worthy of joy and peace.”
As I always recommend with affirmations, the feeling is more important than the words. The words mean nothing without the energy and vibration behind it, so really feel it happening. Allow this affirmation to settle into your heart, and feel the weight lift off your shoulders.
One other meditation I like to do is to “Place it on God’s Altar.” Whatever higher being you believe in, the Source, Higher Self, Universe – we have so many names for the Supreme Being or Divine – use that in your image. Place it in the hands of God and let it go. Let go of your thoughts, feelings and past. Let go of any negative self-talk or beating yourself up. Let go. It doesn’t have to be yours anymore.
What if you “place something on the altar” and need to do it again in a few days? That’s ok. Why? It’s a practice. You’ve got this!
5. Keep Trying – Forgiveness is a Practice
Forgiveness doesn’t always happen in a single moment. It’s a practice that requires patience. There are days when I still feel guilt or frustration, especially when things don’t go as planned with my toddler or work. Or if I simply don’t feel like the best version of myself. But I remind myself that every new breath is a chance to begin again.
A Course in Miracles says, “Forgiveness is the key to happiness.” This means that forgiveness, especially of ourselves, opens the door to peace and joy. It’s not about condoning past mistakes but rather freeing ourselves from the burden they create. Every time we practice self-forgiveness, we loosen the grip of guilt and make more space for happiness.
Keep trying, keep practicing, and trust that each time you forgive, you are moving closer to joy.
The Joy of Being in the Now
One of the greatest gifts yoga gives us is the ability to be fully present. When we forgive ourselves, we clear away the mental and emotional clutter that distracts us from the beauty of the present moment. And this present moment is where true joy lives.
Yogi Bhajan said, “Happiness is your birthright. Live it!” This quote serves as a powerful reminder that happiness is not something we need to earn or seek outside of ourselves; it is our natural state of being. By referring to happiness as our “birthright,” Yogi Bhajan emphasizes that we are inherently deserving of joy simply by virtue of being alive.
In the fast-paced world we live in, it’s easy to fall into the trap of thinking that happiness is conditional—that we need to accomplish certain goals, gain approval, or be perfect in order to feel joyful. Yogi Bhajan’s message, however, is that happiness is available to us at every moment, just as our breath is. It is our soul’s natural state.
This is where yoga can be a powerful tool for returning to that birthright of happiness. Through yoga practice, we reconnect to our inner self, shed layers of stress or negativity, and rediscover the joy that was always within us. Yoga teaches us that happiness doesn’t depend on external circumstances; rather, it arises from inner peace, acceptance, and self-love.
When we live in alignment with our true self—honoring our needs, embracing our imperfections, and practicing self-compassion—we begin to experience that innate happiness. Living it means actively choosing joy in our daily lives, through our thoughts, actions, and attitudes.
So when Yogi Bhajan says, “Live it,” he is encouraging us to step fully into our right to be happy, without waiting for the “perfect” moment or for everything to be in place. Just like a yoga pose, happiness is a practice—a conscious choice to live with openness, gratitude, and self-acceptance.
By embracing this philosophy, we give ourselves permission to experience joy every day, no matter the challenges we face. Happiness is ours to claim, simply by being present and living in the flow of life.
Through self-forgiveness, we reclaim our happiness, realizing that we are worthy of peace and joy, no matter what mistakes we’ve made in the past.
My Journey with Self-Forgiveness as a Mom and Yoga Teacher
As a mom to an energetic toddler and a yoga teacher who loves sharing joy through my practice, I’ve had my fair share of moments where I’ve needed to forgive myself. Whether it’s feeling guilty for not being present enough with my son while juggling work or being hard on myself when a yoga video didn’t turn out how I wanted, I’ve learned that forgiveness is essential. It allows me to let go of perfectionism and embrace the joy in the present moment.
Self-forgiveness has been the bridge to joy in my life, and I want to encourage you to start crossing that bridge, too. You are worthy of love, peace, and joy. Each time you forgive yourself, you’re taking a powerful step toward living more fully in the present, where joy is always waiting.
So, today, take a deep breath, release the past, and forgive yourself. As you practice self-forgiveness, you’ll open up space for joy to flow into your life. And remember: joy is your birthright. Keep practicing, and keep forgiving—you are worth it!
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