When the World Feels Too Heavy: A Yoga Invitation to Soften Without Numbing
These days, getting out of bed can feel like a heroic act. The weight of the world presses down: we are bearing witness to genocide, to rights stripped away from our siblings in marginalized communities, and to terrifying acts of state violence.
Some mornings, I lie there feeling exhausted, hollowed out by it all — and I remind myself: if I feel this as a white, cis woman, I can only begin to imagine the unbearable burden for those most harmed by these systems.
It’s hard to be human right now. And yet, yoga invites us — gently, impossibly — to soften rather than harden, to stay tender in the face of cruelty. This is one of the hardest asks of our practice.
Today, I want to share how the teachings of yoga — including the wisdom of the Bhagavad Gita — can support us in these difficult times, along with small, nourishing practices that can help us stay present without burning out.
The Human Impulse to Harden
When the world feels dangerous and overwhelming, our nervous system does what it’s designed to do: protect us. We freeze, numb out, scroll endlessly, push people away, or armor ourselves in cynicism.
These are survival strategies that have helped us endure painful times. They are not wrong. And yet, yoga invites us to notice when our protective shell begins to cut us off — not just from pain, but from life itself: from connection, from care, from the possibility of contributing to a more just world.
The Bhagavad Gita’s Invitation: Courage, Compassion, and Right Action
I’m reminded of Arjuna in the Bhagavad Gita, standing on the battlefield, overwhelmed by despair. He looks at the suffering around him and says: I can’t do this. I can’t bear it.
Krishna doesn’t deny the reality of suffering. He doesn’t tell Arjuna to look away. Instead, he says:
“You have the right to perform your duty, but not to the fruits of your actions. Never consider yourself the cause of the results of your activities, nor be attached to inaction.”
(Bhagavad Gita 2.47)
In other words: Show up. Do what is yours to do. Let go of what you cannot control.
The Gita teaches us that the work is not to avoid suffering, but to meet it with steady presence and courageous compassion. Not because it’s easy — but because this is how we stay human.
Softening Without Breaking: Nourishing Practices for Hard Times
How do we soften without breaking in a world that feels so heavy? I offer these gentle yoga-inspired practices for difficult times — small ways to nourish your heart, body, and mind.
🌿 A 3-breath pause before doom scrolling
Before opening the news or social media, pause for three full breaths. Feel your feet on the ground. This small act reclaims space for your nervous system.
🌿 Place a hand on your heart and whisper, “I’m here.”
Reconnect with your own presence when you feel scattered or numb.
🌿 Restorative yoga poses that let your body feel held
Supported child’s pose, legs up the wall, or lying with a bolster beneath your knees. Let the earth hold you.
🌿 Chant or repeat: Lokah Samastah Sukhino Bhavantu
“May all beings everywhere be happy and free.” Let this prayer anchor your intention.
🌿 Journal prompt: What is mine to do today? What can I release?
You cannot do everything. Let your heart guide you toward what is truly yours.
Rest as a Radical Act for Personal and Collective Healing
In times like these, it’s not about holding the weight of the world alone. It’s about remembering that rest is a radical act for personal and collective healing.
Staying soft — staying human — is part of how we care for ourselves and each other, even as we face injustice, violence, and grief.
If you long for a space to explore these practices with support, I invite you to:
👉 Schedule a free Clarity Session — let’s explore together what it means to stay present and tender, even now.
👉 Download my free guide: 5 Gentle Yoga Practices to Ground and Regulate — a simple way to begin weaving small moments of care into your day.
