Why yoga helps us to develop a growth mindset - and why it's so relevant right now

We hear the phrase growth mindset more and more these days - but what does it actually mean? And where does yoga come into the mix?

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We hear the phrase growth mindset more and more these days – in education, business, sport and psychology, in parenting guides – it’s everywhere. I’ve been to at least two events in the past month where this was a key theme. But what does it actually mean? And where does yoga come into the mix?

Someone with a growth mindset believes they are capable of learning, adapting and improving their skills over time – and they have the willingness to do so. It doesn’t matter if you are not naturally talented, it’s about attitude, persistence and keeping on trying to improve. As an example, I was terrible at PE at school and if my old sports teachers could see me now, teaching yoga full time, they would probably think I was AI generated! Having a growth mindset is about being willing to keep learning – even when things feel uncomfortable, frustrating or uncertain.

Why a growth mindset matters today

Right now, this matters more than ever. Technology is evolving at an extraordinary speed, artificial intelligence is automating many tasks and the nature of work is shifting. Many jobs are disappearing as businesses look to save money. It is an extremely difficult time for young people especially who are graduating from uni, finishing sixth form and trying to get their first opportunities - which are disappearing.

Against this backdrop, the ability to stay flexible, open-minded and willing to learn is becoming increasingly important. It means you are able to cope well with change, to be very flexible and adaptable, to manage uncertainty - these are essential human skills that AI cannot replace.

The people who cope best with change are rarely the experts, the ones that think they know everything already. We all know a few people like this. More often, those that can handle change and uncertainly are the people who can adapt, experiment, rethink and continue learning as circumstances evolve. That also requires resilience – something else I have been writing about recently, because yoga – particularly the Yoga Strong style of practice I have developed which uses light weights – is very good for developing this.

A growth mindset also requires a certain level of comfort with not always being perfect. This is one of the reasons yoga particularly can be so in today’s world – physically, mentally and emotionally.

Yoga is a practice, not a perfect performance

One thing I often emphasise in classes and I am sure almost every yoga teacher can identify with is the word practice. We all practice yoga, we don’t master it perfectly. We can never do that.

That distinction matters a lot in the context of growth mindset. Some days balancing postures come easily to me and some days I will wobble and fall out of the pose. Some days my body feels open and strong, on other days everything feels too much, I feel achey and feels tight and my mind gets distracted.

Often students arrive on their mats expecting to perform in the same way they did the last time but that rarely happens. Yoga constantly reminds us that nothing is ever the same or perfect and progress is rarely linear. But that doesn’t matter. That's all part of having a growth mindset.

Value of a ‘Beginner’s Mind’

In yoga philosophy, there is a concept often referred to as beginner’s mind – approaching your practice with openness, curiosity and a willingness to see things freshly, rather than assuming we already know. It’s why a lot of very experienced yogis will get as much value from attending a very simple, so called beginner level class as going to one that is much more challenging – because they can always pick up something new, gain a different perspective – and grow from their experience.

As we get older, many of us become more attached to our competence. We like feeling capable and ‘good at things’. We avoid situations where we might look inexperienced, uncertain or unpolished. But staying with what feels familiar limits our ability to grow.

A beginner’s mind invites us to approach any experience with curiosity rather than judgement. To be willing to learn and ask questions. To accept the wobbles and be OK with them. It is incredibly valuable to cultivate, at a time when life around us is changing so quickly. The willingness to be open to new ideas and remain teachable – rather than defensive or fixed – is one of the most useful skills we can develop. And it’s also important for healthy ageing, keeping our minds fresh and active.

Yoga gives us regular opportunities to practice exactly this and it is a great theme for a yoga class. Approaching yoga with a beginner’s mind helps us stay adaptable rather than frustrated when things feel different from one day to the next. And outside the studio, that same mindset can help us deal with challenges and changes more easily.

Outdoor yoga and growth mindset

At the moment, the weather is nice and warm and many yoga classes are taking place outside. Practicing outdoors is lovely but it is also harder. A bit like swimming in open water vs a swimming pool.

The ground is uneven and affects your balance. The outdoors has many distractions and our bodies respond differently to the new surroundings. People wobble more and that’s the beauty of being outside.

Good balance is not developed by standing perfectly still in ideal conditions but by adapting and responding to challenges. Our feet have to make tiny adjustments and become stronger when we wobble.

Progress over perfection

So whilst modern life encourages us to present perfect versions of ourselves, yoga offers us a real alternative. something different. We are reminded that it’s OK not to be perfect, that every day is different and that the art is in noticing these changes and accepting them.

One of the best life skills we can develop in a fast-changing world is the ability to remain open, adaptable and willing to continue learning – even when things feel uncertain.

A growth mindset is not about becoming perfect but staying curious and open. Yoga gives us the opportunity to practice this and at the same time, do something really good for our bodies and minds.

So if you know some young people who are just starting out in their future careers, encourage them to practice yoga - not just for the usual benefits, but because it will also help them develop their growth mindsets.

PS - My daughter Flores is one of the yogis in the picture - I've really encouraged her to practice yoga and she's a regular in my studio, either in person when she comes home, or online from her flat in Liverpool where she is studying. Please share this with a young person and inspire them to start learning yoga too.