When your mat becomes a mirror

Many of us turn to yoga not just for physical health, but as a journey towards greater self-awareness and inner peace. But what if we could use our yoga practice to explore hidden aspects of our psyche, unveiling a deeper, more authentic understanding of who we are?

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This journey is at the heart of Jungian psychology, and when combined with yoga, it can become a transformative tool for healing and self-discovery. As a Clinical Psychologist, Jungian Life Coach and Yoga Teacher, I often blend Jungian principles into yoga practice with my clients to help them connect with their unconscious mind, inviting them to know themselves more fully.

What is Jungian Psychology?

Jungian psychology, developed by Swiss psychiatrist Carl Jung, focuses on the idea of individuation—becoming who we truly are by integrating all parts of ourselves, including those we may hide or suppress. Unlike other psychological approaches, Jungian theory emphasises the unconscious mind’s role in shaping our lives. Jung proposed that the unconscious holds valuable insights about our hidden desires, fears, and potential through symbols, archetypes, and the concept of the “shadow.”

The goal of Jungian psychology isn’t just to address psychological issues but to foster a sense of wholeness. By recognising and embracing both the light and dark sides of our psyche, we can lead a more genuine and fulfilling life. Incorporating Jungian principles into your yoga practice can make this journey tangible, allowing movement, mindfulness, and psychological insight to support each other. It’s like the balance of yin and yang, in breath to out breath, symbolised by each counterpose in a sequence.

How Yoga and Jungian Psychology Work Together

Yoga is, at its essence, a practice of union—connecting body, mind, and spirit. Similarly, Jungian psychology seeks to unite conscious and unconscious aspects of the self. Both approaches offer powerful tools for self-exploration, creating a pathway to self-awareness and balance.

When we bring Jungian principles into our yoga practice, our mat becomes a mirror, reflecting parts of ourselves that we might overlook. The asanas (postures) become more than just physical shapes—they become gateways to self-awareness. Breathing techniques help us stay present and calm as we explore these deeper aspects of our psyche. Approaching yoga through a Jungian lens allows us to confront and integrate hidden parts of ourselves, leading to a richer understanding of who we are.

Using Shadow Work in Yoga

One of Jung’s most influential ideas is the “shadow”—the parts of ourselves that we reject or hide because they don’t fit our conscious self-image. These might include emotions, desires, or traits we view as “negative” or unworthy. Shadow work is the practice of recognising, exploring, and integrating these hidden aspects of ourselves.

In yoga, shadow work can involve noticing the emotions, thoughts, or sensations that arise during your practice. Perhaps you feel resistance in a certain pose or frustration with a challenging sequence. Instead of pushing these feelings away, shadow work encourages you to sit with them, reflecting on what they reveal about your inner world. It’s an invitation to learn from the discomfort and use it to deepen your self-awareness. It's how we lean into a pose, and just notice how the breath assists this.

Shadow Work Exercise: Post-Practice Journalling for Self-Discovery

To get started with shadow work, try the following exercise, which combines a mindful yoga practice with a reflective journaling session:

Shadow work invites us to explore the parts of ourselves we often ignore, especially the emotions or traits we feel uncomfortable with. This exercise combines your yoga practice with a reflective journalling session, helping you connect with these hidden aspects and embrace them with compassion.

Step 1: Set an Intention Before Your Practice

Before beginning your yoga session, set an intention to be open to any thoughts, emotions, or sensations that might arise, especially those that feel challenging or uncomfortable. Remind yourself that all emotions are welcome and are part of your journey towards wholeness.

Step 2: Move Through Your Practice Mindfully

As you go through your practice, pay attention to any emotions or resistance that come up. Maybe a balancing pose like Warrior III brings up self-doubt, or perhaps a restorative pose reveals an aversion to stillness. Whatever arises, observe it with curiosity and without judgment, allowing yourself to feel and acknowledge it.

Journey Through Yoga and Jungian Psychology

Step 3: Post-Practice Journalling for Self-Reflection

After your practice, find a quiet space, grab a journal, and take a few deep breaths to centre yourself. Use the following prompts to guide your reflection:

What emotions or thoughts surfaced during my practice?

Write freely about any specific feelings, memories, or images that came up. Were there moments where you felt resistance, frustration, or vulnerability?

2. When have I felt similar emotions in my daily life?

Look for connections between what surfaced during your yoga practice and other experiences in your life. This can help you identify patterns or recurring themes within your shadow.

What might these feelings be trying to tell me?

Shadow work views emotions as valuable messengers. What might these feelings reveal about your unexpressed needs, desires, or unacknowledged aspects of yourself?

How can I integrate this part of myself in a positive way?

Consider how you might accept and work with these emotions rather than rejecting them. Explore actions or affirmations to embrace this part of yourself with compassion.

What is one small step I can take to honour this part of myself?

Identify a specific, gentle action to support and care for this hidden part of yourself. This could be practising self-kindness, setting a boundary, or thanking yourself for this journey of self-awareness.

Step 4: Closing Reflection

Take a few moments to appreciate your courage in engaging with this process. Shadow work can be challenging, but it’s also deeply rewarding, leading to greater self-compassion and wholeness. Remember, this journey is ongoing, and every insight brings you closer to embracing all parts of who you are.

Integrating Archetypes in Yoga

Another core concept in Jungian psychology is the use of archetypes, which are universal symbols and patterns representing different aspects of the human experience. Examples include the Hero, the Mother, the Wise Old Man, and the Shadow. Each archetype represents qualities we all possess to some degree, and integrating these into your yoga practice can deepen your self-awareness.

For example, you might connect with the Warrior archetype through poses like Warrior I and Warrior II. As you hold these poses, reflect on your inner strength and resilience, embodying the qualities of the Warrior within you. Or, you could explore the Mother archetype through nurturing poses like Child’s Pose or Supported Bridge, focusing on self-compassion and care.

Here’s a sample archetype-focused sequence you might try:

The Hero: Practise Warrior I, Warrior II, and Warrior III pose, focusing on grounding and stability. Reflect on where you need courage and inner strength in your life.

The Innocent Try Child’s Pose and Happy Baby, focus on openness and surrender and letting go of the need for control.

The Sage: End your practice with a seated meditation. Reflect on your inner wisdom and ask yourself what guidance you need right now.

As we journey through the layers of the shadow and embrace the richness of archetypes, we begin to meet parts of ourselves we may have forgotten, overlooked, or even rejected. This work is a path of courage and compassion, leading us back to the heart of who we truly are. By confronting the shadow, we shed light on hidden strengths and vulnerabilities, understanding that every part of ourselves has a place in our story. Archetypes serve as guides on this journey, helping us recognise the universal patterns we all share, which can bring a sense of connection and belonging.

Through Jungian yoga, we engage with our full self—the light and the dark—moving beyond mere poses to a practice of wholeness. In returning to the self, we create a sanctuary within, a place of acceptance where we can remember how to be entirely authentic.