Space & Resistance: Finding breath where resistance lives

I’ve been guiding my students through the theme of space and resistance in all of my classes lately. It’s something that’s been really resonating in the room — through the poses, showing up in bodies, in breath, and in the mind.

This theme has inspired reflection beyond the mat, which is why I felt called to write this. What we experience in practice isn’t separate from life — it’s a mirror.

Natural Space and Natural Resistance

There’s a difference between the space and resistance that naturally exist in the body and what we create ourselves. There’s natural space, the breath expanding through the ribs, or the subtle room to shift or modify.

And then there’s natural resistance, the muscles engaging to hold steady in balance, or the strength needed to twist or bind. But there’s also the resistance we create, the clenching or tensing when we try to fight it.

Resistance has a way of showing up quietly at first, then louder when we try to avoid it and push it away. It lives in the mind, the body, in the breath, and in our daily lives when everything feels overwhelming.

"But here’s the thing about resistance: it isn’t the enemy. It’s a teacher, it shows us how we respond to discomfort, uncertainty and how we can learn to trust our inner wisdom. When we choose to meet resistance with breath, curiosity, and presence, something powerful happens. Space begins to open."

___Ebony Wheeler

On the Mat: Softening Instead of Forcing

In practice, resistance might look like holding your breath in a deep stretch, clenching your jaw in a balance pose, or wanting to give up when it gets uncomfortable.

What if, instead of pushing harder, you softened?

What if your breath became the bridge between what feels stuck and what’s ready to open?

Creating just a little more space doesn’t mean going deeper in the pose. It means giving yourself room to breathe and ground inside it.

This is where sthira comes in — the yoga principle of steadiness and stability in a pose without tension or "struggle" (LoLing at without struggle).

It’s not about forcing or collapsing, but finding space to soften into the resistance. Sthira shows up when we choose to use our breath and awareness as an anchor in our practice.

Off the Mat: Making Room to Breathe

Resistance doesn’t stay on the mat. It shows up in tough conversations, busy schedules, doubts, and moments of uncertainty. This is where the real practice lives. When you pause and ask, What space can I create here? — you shift from reacting to intentionally responding.

Sthira applies here too. Off the mat, steadiness isn’t about having all the answers — it’s about staying rooted in yourself when everything around you feels tight or uncertain. It’s taking that deep breath before you speak. It’s giving yourself permission to soften without compromising your boundaries or losing your cool.

Maybe the space is in your schedule. Maybe it’s in how you speak to yourself. Maybe it’s a deep breath before you answer.

Space isn’t always loud. Sometimes it’s as simple as allowing yourself to feel what’s there without rushing to fix it.

Closing Thoughts

Space and resistance can co-exist together. The gift of the practice isn’t to eliminate resistance, but to meet it with softness. To choose breath over tension. To remember you can always create room for yourself — on the mat and beyond.

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Journal Prompts to Reflect

1. Where do I feel resistance in my body, my breath, or my life right now — and what space is asking to be created there?

2. When experiencing discomfort, where does resistance show up first- In my mind my breath or my body? How do I handle it?

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Practice With Me: November 8th, 2025 2:30-3:30pm

If this resonates with you, come practice it in real time. I’ve been weaving this theme into all of my classes because it’s one of the most honest and powerful lessons the mat has to offer.

✨ Live 45-Minute Virtual Class — $7.77 Reserve your spot here »

To my furloughed federal workers — I see you. This time can feel uncertain, and I want to offer this class as a way to breathe, ground, and receive support. Use the code FEDSUPPORT at checkout to join for free.

This offering is rooted in satya, the practice of honesty and integrity. If you claim a spot, I ask that you either show up or release it early if plans change. Your integrity makes this gesture sustainable for others too.

With Love and Gratitude

Ebony