“With confidence, you have won before you have started.” – Marcus Garvey

If you’ve ever walked into a meeting, a date, or even a yoga class wishing you could shrink into the background, you’re not alone. Many women — even those who seem “put together” — quietly battle self-doubt every day.

Confidence isn’t about being the loudest in the room or having it all figured out. It’s about knowing, deep in your body, I belong here. And believe it or not, the way to get there often starts with movement.

Emma’s Story: From Shrinking Back to Standing Tall

Emma was a regular for a private yoga class, always claiming she didn't fit in to regular classes. She’d joke about her “lack of balance” or “being the least flexible one there.” But underneath the humor, I could see the hesitation — the way she avoided eye contact, the way her voice dipped when she spoke.

One day, I invited Emma to join a short, gentle flow designed to open the chest and lengthen the spine — poses like Mountain, Warrior II, and Heart Opener. At first, she laughed it off. But as she moved, I noticed her shoulders start to relax… and then roll back.

By the end of class, she stood in Mountain Pose, feet grounded, gaze forward. “I feel taller,” she said softly. “Like I take up more space — and that’s okay.”

Over the next few weeks, Emma kept showing up, not just to yoga but in her life. She spoke up at work. She started dating again. She even applied for a leadership role she’d been too scared to consider before.

Her transformation wasn’t instant — but it was rooted in one simple truth: movement changed the way she felt in her own skin.

Why Movement Builds Confidence

When you’re disconnected from your body, it’s easy to let fear and self-doubt run the show. Movement — especially mindful movement like yoga — helps you reconnect, both physically and mentally.

Here’s why it works:

• Posture shapes perception – Standing tall with your shoulders back doesn’t just look confident; it signals to your brain that you are confident.

• Movement dissolves fear – Flowing through poses helps release stored tension and fear that keep you “playing small.”

• Mind-body awareness – Yoga helps you notice your thoughts and feelings without judgment, creating space for self-compassion instead of self-criticism.

• Small wins build momentum – Holding a pose you once thought was impossible translates into courage off the mat.

As Amy Cuddy, author of Presence, says:
“Our bodies change our minds, and our minds can change our behavior, and our behavior can change our outcomes.”

3 Movements to Start Showing Up Boldly

If confidence feels far away right now, start small. Here are three movements you can try today:

1. Mountain Pose (Tadasana)

   • Stand with feet hip-width apart, shoulders relaxed, arms by your side.

   • Inhale, lengthen through the crown of your head.

   • Exhale, feel your feet rooting into the ground.

2. Warrior II (Virabhadrasana II)

   • Step one foot back, bend the front knee, arms stretched wide.

   • Gaze over your front fingertips with steady focus.

3. Heart Opener on Bolster

   • Lie back over a bolster or pillow, arms relaxed at your sides.

   • Breathe deeply, allowing your chest to expand and your shoulders to release.

These simple shapes tell your nervous system, You are safe. You are powerful. You belong here.

You Deserve to Take Up Space

Confidence is not something you’re born with or without. It’s something you can cultivate — and movement is one of the most powerful ways to begin.

Like Emma, you can learn to stand tall, speak up, and step into opportunities you once shied away from. It starts with reconnecting to the wisdom of your body and letting go of the fears and failures that have been holding you back.

If you’re ready to rise into the most confident version of yourself, I created a program just for you:
✨ Unlock Unshakable Confidence Course ✨
Inside, you’ll find guided meditations, empowering yoga flows, and reflective journaling practices to help you:

• Release self-doubt

• Let go of fear

• Build unshakable inner confidence

👉 Click here to join The Confidence Course and start showing up boldly.

May you always stay true in your intentions, true to your heart's desires & speak loving truth to those around you. Love ya!

Jennifer