Understanding And Overcoming Fear: Winning On and Off the Mat

Arm balances are some of the most exciting and rewarding poses in yoga. But if you’re new to them—or have tried and taken a spill—fear can feel like a giant roadblock between you and that next step. Whether it’s fear of falling, failing, or just looking silly, these worries are more common than you might think. In this article, we’ll dive into what causes that fear and how to gradually overcome it so you can find balance on your hands and confidence on your mat—and beyond!

Why Fear Holds You Back in Arm Balances

Fear is a primitive and universal emotion. Whether you are standing on the edge of a cliff or kicking up a handstand for the first time, it can strike at any moment! Fear’s primary role is to keep us safe from danger. Although fear still plays an essential role in survival (say, when facing tigers or navigating dark hallways), in modern life it often shows up in non-life-threatening situations. Fear of judgment, of being seen, of being hurt—or even fear of failure and success.

The part of your brain that triggers the fear response is called the amygdala. It does a great job in warning you of threats, but the catch is that you can accidentally train it to believe there’s a threat even when there isn’t.

What Causes Fear in Arm Balances?

Your brain scans every situation you live in a matter of milliseconds, deciding if it’s safe before you can even realize it. Fear can be triggered by a new, unknown challenge or by past experiences that you have knowingly or unknowingly labeled as dangerous.
For instance, trying crow pose for the first time can feel intimidating because balancing on your hands is new territory for your body and your brain. Switching from feet to hands makes your brain go "Dude, you want me to do WHAAAT???".

At the same time, if you had an epic faceplant in the past, trying the pose again comes with a dose of fear baggage. Your brain remembers that fall and wants to protect you from repeating the experience.

How to Conquer Your Fear in Arm Balances

When your brain perceives danger, it offers three options: fight, flight or freeze.
This works if you’re facing a real threat (like a tiger), but with a “made-up” danger like attempting a new yoga pose, the best option is to face it and fight the fear itself.

Here are a few strategies to rewire your brain:

• Do What You Fear So It Can Disappear.
  If you avoid what scares you, you never get the chance to face it. By inching closer to that fear, you start to see it for what it is. Imagine it like pulling off a Scooby Doo monster mask—what seemed terrifying might turn out to be harmless! Start small to build confidence: try handstand with a wall nearby, or practice with a lighter kick. By gradually introducing yourself to the movement with “safety nets” in place, your brain begins to see it as less of a threat.
• Rewrite the Story.
  If you’ve face planted before, your brain remembers the scare and might want to stop you from trying again. So, what can you do? Override that old memory with a new, positive experience! The key to rewriting the story is proving to your brain that the 'danger' is manageable: grab a fluffy pillow and place it in front of you, maybe take your practice outside! Be playful, lean into it and faceplant right there. It wasn’t that bad, right? Once your brain realizes the fall wasn’t as catastrophic as it remembers, you’ve unlocked the next step.
• Push Through the “Oh Shit!” Point.
  At Yogi Flight School, we call this the “Oh Shit! Point”—that moment when fear hits, and everything in you screams to back off. But instead of retreating, this is where you lean in. Beyond that moment, you’ll find strength you didn’t know you had, and find your balance.

The Power of Facing Your Fears

Think about the last time fear stopped you from trying something new: was it truly dangerous, or was it your mind creating obstacles? What would have happened if you faced that fear head-on?

If this resonates with you, don’t let fear hold you back! Grab my FREE Inversions Training HERE where I help you conquer challenges step-by-step and discover the joy of being upside down!