How Not To Be Underestimated: Are You Underestimating Other’s Or Worse, Yourself
Growth Beyond The Edge Of Comfort: Inspirational yogis, Neuroscience of the AMCC and everyday Awakenings.
Have you ever underestimated someone—or worse, yourself? - The picture below is when I was underestimated (more below information below.)
The Moment of Truth or Doubt?
The moment I was underestimated, but not for long!
This month, I attended an inspiring two-day yoga workshop hosted by my now-role models, internationally renowned Yoga instructor Desiree and her partner Andrew from the States (Instagram: @desyoga and @andrewrivin), as part of my Yoga Teacher Training. Both of them are in their mid-60s and, honestly, the fittest people I've met in a long time… and I say that as a self-confessed fitness freak!
They were impressive, but what struck me most wasn't just their strength and wisdom and defying what someone can do or look like as we get older. What was even more impressive was the potential limiting narratives for why people shouldn't try—especially for the people in the room - but try anyway!
Like Jess, in her late 60s, navigating high blood pressure and anxiety. Despite her alignments, she showed up and kept trying to improve her arm balances. She was supported by her partner, who (with us) cheered her on. Caroline practised wholeheartedly despite a shoulder injury and became our example of what modifications we needed for injuries. And Becky—seven months pregnant—modifying but never backing down.
I’ve seen these women grow over eight months during our yoga teacher training, where we met ourselves, our limiting beliefs, and our life challenges on the mat. - Because ‘how we do anything is how we do everything’ (to use a classic quote).
These women inspire me. Not because they push with force but because they gently say to life:
“What if?”
✨ What if I’m not too old?
✨ What if I could try again—with a small adjustment?
✨ What if I stopped underestimating myself?
Just like yoga teaches us, we can ease the nervous system to meet our edges by taking one breath—or pranic breath (life force energy)—at a time!
I’m asking those same questions—what-if questions. I’m 51, and for the first time, I’m learning how to truly do a handstand. Not to show off but to heal lower back pain caused by years of rib flaring, which I now understand, given my anatomy and biomechanical knowledge. These are slight adjustments to posture, but they are a game-changer in life and my yoga!
The Handstand - Eek - Well, it’s not glamorous. It’s wobbly and gruelling, and I often collapse when the (very stern) teacher shouts in her German accent for an hour. But it’s mine. My messy, committed, beautiful process.
(A shout out to my teacher trainer, Sam Mills, doing the arm balance above (second image)- the best, most inspired instructor I have ever had: @sam.mills_yoga)
The Moment of Doubt:
Look at the photo above - Here’s the lovely Tom (who I had never met before)—a foot and a half taller than me and we were partnered up in a balancing pose. He looked me up and down, doubt on his face: could she hold me?
That doubt didn’t last long.
I may be small, but I’m strong. My core held us both.
We were equal.
Let that sink in: We. Were. Equal.
How often do we underestimate others based on appearances or assumptions?
How often do we do it to ourselves?
Yoga isn’t about perfect poses or bendy Instagram shapes.
Yoga is the art of returning to yourself again and again.
It’s a remembering—a reclaiming—of who you are.
And here's two truths most of us avoid:
The clique: 'If you don't use it, you lose it'
The more you step outside your comfort zone, the easier life becomes.
You don’t become fearless—you become bigger than the fear.
As Pema Chödrön once said (paraphrased): “The more we practice leaning into discomfort, the more the world opens up. Otherwise, life begins to shrink.”
Neuroplasticity Begins at the Edge of Fear.
When you do the thing that scares you—when you meet your edge—your brain activates the anterior mid-cingulate cortex, the region responsible for motivation, decision-making, and courage. There’s no shortcut. You have to do the scary thing.
That’s when rewiring happens.
That’s when your capacity expands.
That’s when flow begins.
Between the Breath and Becoming
This journey isn’t about doing more.
It’s about becoming more you.
It’s about loving yourself into growth—not through force but through curious, courageous presence. Whether through yoga, movement, or the hard conversations of life.
💓 It’s about tiny nudges.
💓 Honest self-reflection.
💓 Wobbles, reattempts, and learning to appreciate who you’re becoming—not because someone clapped for you, but because you showed up.
>> This is what I call a body-mind awakening.
So, what if today…you stopped underestimating yourself? Maybe a guide could help support - or nudge you?
But who would you become? What would you do? 🙄
While you ponder one that, here's an Invitation and simple practice to connect to yourself:
Inhale.
Exhale and stretch your arms wide.
Pull your belly in gently, hug your ribs in, like a corset wrapping around you.
Inhale again, and draw your arms in for a deep, self-hug.
Imagine the cosmic mother holding you.
Know that I’m holding you too.
Exhale softly. Relax. Repeat x3.
And remember:
You don’t need to be fearless. You just need to be willing.
✨ Go Flow in whatever way that feels good for you!
Finally,
Reflecting on last month, I’ve been filling my Becoming Journal (click the link to download the whole year) with stars and emojis—a visual snapshot of my journey. 🌟✨ I noticed plenty of stars for gratitude, wins, and joyful moments, with fewer emojis 🤷♀️ marking emotional challenges and trip-ups.
How did May go for you? The self-reflection prompts from the Becoming Journal are below to help you.
Wishing you a joyful, curiosity-filled June
With moonbeams
Nila
