Vulnerability & the Path of Yin

Vulnerability is Strength

Stepping into the role of a Yin Yoga teacher has been one of the most beautiful, yet most vulnerable, experiences of my life. When I first began to put myself out there—not only as a teacher, but also in starting my own Yin Yoga business—I was confronted with all the quiet fears that live within me.

I never imagined how much courage it would take to actually step into that role. To stand in front of others, to share from my heart, and to create a business rooted in something so personal and spiritual—it was not an easy path. I worried endlessly: Will people like my teaching style? Do I look the part? Am I enough?

I found myself worrying about how I looked, how I sounded, the way I taught, whether my style of Yin would resonate with others, and even if people would accept me. Society has a way of feeding those doubts—telling us, directly or indirectly, that we are not quite enough. Not polished enough, not confident enough, not perfect enough. And yet, Yin Yoga continually invites us back to the truth: that wholeness isn’t about perfection, but about presence.

Vulnerability is not something unique to me—it is a thread that runs through all of us. Every time we take a step into the unknown, open our hearts, or share our authentic selves, we risk being seen. And that risk can feel terrifying. But what I’ve come to realize is that it is also where our true power lies. Yin Yoga has taught me that vulnerability is not an obstacle—it is the doorway into authenticity. Rooted in Taoist philosophy, Yin reminds us that life is always a balance: Yin and Yang, stillness and movement, darkness and light. One cannot exist without the other. Vulnerability is Yin energy—it is soft, receptive, and open. It asks us to surrender, to feel, to release control. Without vulnerability, there is no courage. Without stillness, there is no movement. Without surrender, there is no growth.

During my Yin Yoga therapy studies in India and Bali, I was introduced to the work of Brené Brown. Her words touched me deeply. She reminds us that vulnerability is not weakness, but the birthplace of courage, creativity, and true human connection. She shares openly how her own willingness to be vulnerable, to be seen in her imperfections, allowed her to live more wholeheartedly. Her message mirrored what Yin Yoga was already whispering to me—that the moment we release perfection, we create space for truth. And it is truth, not polish, that truly resonates with others.

In my own journey, I’ve had to learn to let go of the mask of perfection and allow myself to be seen, raw and real. Each time I step into the studio, each time I guide a student into stillness, I am practicing vulnerability. I don’t always get it right, but I show up. And that, I believe, is the essence of both Yin Yoga and of life—learning to be present with what is, even when it feels uncomfortable.

When I began teaching, my voice trembled. Sometimes I stumbled over words, sometimes I felt uncertain. But each time I showed up, I practiced courage. Each time I held space for others, I was also holding space for myself. Vulnerability became not just something I experienced, but a spiritual practice in itself.

Being vulnerable doesn’t mean we won’t be judged, or that we won’t experience fear. It means we are willing to move forward anyway. It takes courage to open your heart. It takes courage to risk failure, rejection, or misunderstanding. But it is only through that courage that we can truly be heard, truly connect, and truly grow.

It is never easy to let ourselves be seen. It takes courage to soften when we want to harden, to open when we want to close, to trust when fear tells us not to. And yet, this is where the heart of life is. Just like in Yin, the transformation happens when we stay, breathe, and allow what is to be.

So if you, too, feel the weight of doubt or fear when putting yourself out into the world, whether that be through yoga, business or simply your every day life, I invite you to remember this: your vulnerability is not weakness. It is your strength. It is what makes you human, relatable, and real. It is the bridge between your heart and the hearts of others.

Perhaps the most spiritual act of all is to simply show up—heart open, imperfect, vulnerable—and trust that it is enough.

And sometimes, the bravest thing you can do is simply to show up, just as you are.

Much love to you from, your guide through stillness, Sunshine Serina xx