Simplicity: The Art of Perfecting Less

For the first time in a year I will be teaching Yoga Foundations in public classes again. I’m excited and overwhelmed at the same thinking about the “right” approach. It will be perfect either way! ;)

“Perfection is when you can’t take anything away and anything you would add is unnecessary.”

In a world that constantly demands more—more possessions, more achievements, more validation—simplicity can seem elusive, even overwhelming. We envision simplicity as a zen-like state of being, but the journey toward it often feels daunting, like trying to untangle your headphones before the AirPods.

Simplicity is not about reducing life to a mere shell of existence. It’s about stripping away what is unnecessary to reveal the essence of what truly matters. It’s like a finely crafted work of art, where every element serves a purpose, and any addition would disrupt its harmony.

When we embrace simplicity, we create space to focus on fewer things, but with greater depth and excellence. Once we have less, there’s less to perfect, and we can dedicate our time and energy to mastering the few things that truly matter. This focused approach allows us to refine our skills and achieve a higher level of mastery and fulfillment in what we choose to engage with.

In your yoga practice, for example, simplicity manifests in concentrating on the fundamentals with awareness and grace rather than getting caught up in complex poses. By honing the essentials, you can achieve a more profound and balanced practice.

Similarly, in life, embracing simplicity means making choices that align with your true self and letting go of societal expectations and superficial desires. It’s about cultivating a life where each action, thought, and possession contributes meaningfully to your well-being.

This makes simplicity not a destination but a practice—a continuous journey of refining, focusing, and appreciating. By narrowing your focus, you not only reduce the clutter but also elevate the quality of what remains, allowing perfection to emerge naturally from its essence.

As it is a practice it does never really end, so it naturally extends to our world thoughts as well, bringing clarity and peace to both our inner and outer worlds. Allowing moments to clear away the noise and let simplicity guide you. With less to perfect, you’ll find yourself excelling in the few things that truly matter.