I find one quote powerful and valuable to offer at my events and classes: “Believe in your instincts. When you practise, trust your gut feelings over your intellect and rational mind—always rely on your instincts. Just because you rationalise and analyse something doesn’t mean it’s right—if you feel it, then it is right and true.”
The approach I love to offer is to open possibilities, allowing people to express themselves during their practices, and not lock them in a mindset of ‘must do’ or ‘follow me.’
In the world of movement practices, yoga, and meditation, it’s easy to become wrapped up in the technicalities: the proper alignment, the perfect breath pattern, and the “correct” lineage to follow.
Many of us, myself included, have encountered the internal struggle of constantly measuring our progress against these external frameworks. We push ourselves to fit into predefined boxes, striving for what we’ve been told is the “right” way to move, breathe, or meditate. But what if the real work is about letting go of these rules and learning to listen to our instincts?
The Trap of Dogma in Movement and Meditation Practices
For years, I found myself caught in the web of dogmatic thinking. I believed that to grow and evolve in my practice, I needed to follow specific teachings, adhere to certain alignments, and adopt strict breathing techniques.
The challenge, however, was that the more I tried to fit into these ideals, the more disconnected I felt from my body, mind, and authentic self. Instead of feeling liberated by my practice, I was confined by the overwhelming need to get everything “right.”
When we’re too focused on alignment, lineage, or the right way to breathe, we tend to silence our body’s natural wisdom—our true nature.
Our instincts get pushed aside, replaced by a constant internal monologue that tries to control and perfect every movement. We lose sight of the present moment and the simple joy of experiencing our bodies, minds, and breath as they are.
Most importantly, we lose the real purpose of the practice, which is to educate ourselves kindly and genuinely about our true selves.
Learning to Listen to Our Instincts in Movement
After years of feeling this tension and constraint, I realised I needed a change. I began asking myself:
- What if my body knows more than any external teacher or book?
- What if the alignment that works for me isn’t written in a textbook?
This was when I began learning to trust my gut feelings—my instincts.
However, learning to listen to our bodies is difficult, especially after years of being told what we “should” feel or do. It requires patience, self-compassion, and a willingness to sit with discomfort. Ironically, teachers who had gone through the same process helped guide me to liberate myself from these beliefs and habits.
The task was to peel away all the past work without denying it, as it served me well, and instead begin a new practice with fresh perspectives based on the experience of knowing what to do or not.
What serves me now, and what does not?
Our bodies often whisper before they shout, and it’s up to us to tune into those subtle sensations. It’s about observing ourselves with kindness rather than judgement. Instead of forcing our bodies into rigid alignments, we can ask:
How does this feel? What does my body need today?
The Power of Intuitive Breathing
The same shift occurred with my breathwork and pranayama practice.
For a long time, I was fixated on the idea of “correct” breathing techniques—specific counts for inhaling and exhaling and particular diaphragmatic movements.
Yet breathing is one of the most instinctive and involuntary functions we have. It knows what to do; the body is in control, not your rational mind. When I stopped trying to control it and allowed it to flow naturally, I discovered that my breath became more profound, more satisfying, and more connected to my movements.
Interestingly, the pranayama tradition focuses on subtlety and has always understood the real purpose of breathwork, which nowadays seems to have been forgotten.
Trusting my body to lead me into the necessary breath was far more powerful than trying to impose a structure upon it.
This doesn’t mean we should reject structured techniques, but we should avoid imposing them upon ourselves. Instead, we should use them mindfully and with intention for the appropriate reason.
Intuitive breathing can teach us what we need at that moment, and then we can decide which tools to use.
Meditation Without Rules
Even in meditation, we’re often told to sit in a particular way, focus on a certain object, or follow a prescribed method. Trust me, in my meditative experience, it’s simpler than it’s made out to be. These tools can be helpful, but they can also become limiting if we rely on them too rigidly.
Learning to meditate without attachment to a particular method has been transformative and liberating for me.
That’s when I discovered and practised universal meditation, with no specific rules except those dictated by my own being.
This was an eye-opener, leading to a more compassionate approach to mind-work. My new mindset allows me to see that, on some days, I need stillness; on others, movement feels like meditation. Trusting my instincts allows me to honour where I am rather than forcing myself into a mould that doesn’t feel right.
Trusting Our Instincts Over Intellect in Practice
In all this, I’ve realised that intellect and learning are only one part of our practice.
While knowledge and technical understanding are helpful, we often forget that our intuition—our gut feelings—holds an equally important place. This is an animal and primal tool we have carried since man started hunting and surviving.
When we over-analyse, we can get stuck in our heads, doubting and questioning every move. But when we trust what we feel, we tap into something deeper and more authentic.
Our bodies constantly communicate with us, but we must be willing to listen. That means letting go of the idea that there’s only one right way to practise and instead embracing the idea that what’s right for us might change from day to day, moment to moment.
Moving Forward with Patience and Kindness
The journey to trusting our instincts in movement, meditation, and breathwork is a challenging one, there is no doubt!
It takes time and requires us to let go of perfectionism and one-way thinking, which often accompany structured practices.
But the reward is profound.
By learning to listen, sense, and observe ourselves with patience and kindness, we open up to a more intuitive, embodied practice that honours our physical, emotional, and mental state in the present moment.
When we release ourselves from dogma and strict beliefs, we create space for authentic movement, natural breath, and genuine meditation.
In doing so, we come closer to the true essence of these practices: connection, presence, and self-awareness, and to the true spirit of our true nature.
So, the next time you step onto your mat or sit in meditation, remember this: You already have all the wisdom you need within you. Trust your instincts, and let your practice reflect that deep inner knowing.
PS: I want to clarify that I am not criticising any particular methods, gurus, or more dogmatic styles of yoga or breathwork.
These approaches have been an essential part of my journey, and I sincerely appreciate the structure and discipline they provided when I began my movement, yoga, and breathwork practice.
The insights I share here come from my personal experiences over many years and reflect the evolution of my own practice. Each path has its value, and I honour them all.