Some Days I Cry on My Yoga Mat, And That’s Okay (también en español)

Algunos días lloro sobre mi esterilla de yoga, y no pasa nada

(español abajo)

Sometimes I roll out my yoga mat, take a deep breath, and...cry. Sometimes out of sadness, and others out of relief. Yoga has always had a way of peeling back layers for me, not just physically but emotionally, too. I’ve had mornings when I’m flowing through poses with tears running down my cheeks. It’s as healing as it is humbling

From being a single mom on welfare at 45, to later parenting teens, managing a blended family, or losing my best friend to cancer, life has sometimes seemed unbearable. Add to that entering menopause which brought mood swings, crushing fatigue, night sweats, hot flashes, and brain fog, to name a few, and boy did I feel challenged. If you can relate to any of it, please know you aren’t alone.

When I shared about crying during yoga on Instagram, I was flooded with messages saying, "Me too!" 

It reminded me that we all crave permission to feel without judgment. So here’s your permission slip: It’s okay to feel the full spectrum of emotions—especially on your yoga mat. One woman commented, "Your vulnerability gives me permission to be kind to myself." And isn’t that what we all need—a little more kindness towards ourselves? I certainly believe so. 

Another woman shared how she cried during her first yoga class after her divorce, and how it became a turning point in her healing journey. These stories remind me how universal these emotions are—and how powerful it is when we share them.

If your yoga mat is still new to you, or you don’t even own one, here are some of the other self-soothing rituals I use to regulate my emotions and bring myself to a place of peace—even when the world feels like it’s out of control: