The Paradox of Seeking Help and Ignoring Advice: A Yogic Perspective

When Habit Becomes Identity: Learning to Adapt Through Yoga

(3-4 minute read)

Have you ever left a doctor’s office with clear instructions: something you “should” or “shouldn’t” do, only to ignore that advice once you’re back in your routine? If you haven’t, you’re a rare breed! But if you have, know that you’re not alone (I am in that boat alongside you!). Many of us seek out experts, get the answers we need, and then… do nothing. Why?

I’ve been there myself. Years ago, I was in pain. I saw specialists, got the MRIs, heard the diagnosis. The path forward to heal was laid out at my feet, yet I couldn’t bring myself to act. Not because I thought I knew better, but because I was afraid. My routine, mainly my yoga practice, had been my anchor for over a decade at that time– it was more than a routine; it was my identity. Per my spine at that time, my path to healing would require me to change my routine. Changing it felt like losing a part of myself. I was stubborn, short-sighted, and downright arrogant.

Looking back, the irony is clear. Yoga, at its essence, asks us to observe without judgment, to adapt, and to find harmony between body and mind. Yet, I was clinging to habit, unable to step back and see the bigger picture. My attachment wasn’t strength; it was fear disguised as devotion. “Only by loosening our grip on what we think we are, can we awaken to what we might become”, proclaimed BKS Iyengar. Oh if I only embodied this from the start, I could've made it to the proverbial “other side” much sooner.

This experience taught me that sometimes, our resistance to change isn’t about stubbornness or ignorance– it’s about how deeply our routines are woven into who we are. To change means to acknowledge that attachment, to face the discomfort of letting go, and to trust that growth is possible on the other side.

Yoga isn’t about conquering the body nor the mind. It’s about cultivating the wisdom to know when to act and when to accept, when to hold on and when to let go. The real practice is learning to observe ourselves honestly, adapt with grace, and find a new harmony, a new normal– even when it means stepping into the unknown.

This struggle to recognize fear disguised as devotion isn’t limited to a yoga practice alone. These patterns of attachment and resistance can show up in many areas of our lives: it’s in our careers, relationships, health routines, or personal beliefs. We often cling to familiar habits because they feel safe, even when they no longer serve us. Yoga teaches us a universal lesson: the courage to observe, question, and adapt applies to every facet of life, inviting us to grow beyond fear and step into greater freedom and authenticity.

If you are reading this and this resonates with you, I am here to tell you, I am right there with you! If you are ready to move beyond old patterns and step into a new chapter–one rooted in awareness, compassion and transformation, I am here to support you every step of the way. 

Be Well,
Nicole :)