by Amber Ferguson
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1 April 2025
Aparigraha: The Practice of Letting Go In yoga, Aparigraha—often translated as non-attachment or non-hoarding—is a practice that invites us to release what we don’t truly need. In a world that constantly encourages accumulation, Aparigraha reminds us that true freedom lies not in having more, but in needing less. By letting go—of physical clutter, expectations, and emotional burdens—we create space to breathe, to move, and to be fully present. Stepping onto the yoga mat, we can begin to notice how we hold ourselves. Where is there tension, gripping, tightness? Is it needed to support us, or is it a habit born of stress? Often, what we carry physically reflects what we carry emotionally. Letting go on the mat mirrors the work we do off the mat—clearing space in our bodies, minds, and lives so that we can move with greater ease. This practice extends beyond the body to the spaces we live in and the thoughts we hold onto. We have so much—objects, responsibilities, mental noise—that it can feel overwhelming. But if we truly want to connect with ourselves, we don’t need more; we need less. Stripping back creates the space we need to thrive. For parents and caregivers, this might mean releasing the pressure to have all the latest baby gear, letting go of perfectionism in postpartum recovery, or simplifying routines to find ease. Non-hoarding is an invitation to trust that we already have enough. Aparigraha also calls us to examine our desires. What do we grasp for? We live in a world that constantly tells us we need more—more things, more success, more approval—to be happy. But is that really true? As Gandhi said, "The world has enough for everyone’s need, but not enough for everyone’s greed." Comparison fuels this cycle of wanting. Rumi reminds us: "Give up wanting what other people have." For new parents, this might mean letting go of comparisons—of birth stories, of baby milestones, of how quickly someone "bounces back." Instead of striving for an illusion of perfection, we can cultivate contentment with what we have and where we are. Another powerful aspect of Aparigraha is letting go of attachment to outcomes. Why do we practice yoga? Is there a goal—relaxation, strength, clarity? While intention is valuable, being fixated on a specific result can lead to frustration. In the Bhagavad Gita, Krishna tells Arjuna: "You have the right to work, but never to the fruit of work." This means we are called to act, to engage fully, without being attached to the results. Whether in yoga, work, or relationships, the practice itself is enough. This is especially powerful for parents navigating pregnancy, birth, and the unpredictable journey of raising children. We do our best, but we cannot control every outcome. Rather than being fixated on milestones, we can focus on being present in the process—whether it’s during pregnancy, in the postpartum period, or in the ever-changing reality of family life. We also hold onto ideas about ourselves that may not serve us. "I’m not good enough." "I should be further along." "I must meet certain expectations." These beliefs weigh us down. Emotions, too, can become burdens when we grip them too tightly. Anger, for example, is like a bar of soap—the tighter we hold it, the more it slips away. Instead of clinging to emotions, we can allow them to rise and fall like waves, knowing that they are temporary. Sometimes, the fears we hold aren’t even ours. A recent trip to London reminded me of this—unexpected anxiety surfaced, triggered by old warnings and experiences that weren’t relevant to my current reality. I had internalized messages about safety, crowds, and potential risks, yet everything went smoothly. This is much like the fears we carry into birth—stories from TV, family, or past generations that shape our expectations. But birth, like all experiences, is unique to each person. Just as I let go of old narratives about navigating a busy city with children, we can let go of outdated or unnecessary fears around birth. By surrounding ourselves with positive stories, affirmations, deep breathing, and visualization, we create space for a new and empowering experience. For new parents, this practice is invaluable. Parenthood is filled with expectations—both internal and external—but by releasing attachment to a specific way of being, we allow for more grace, more presence, and more ease. Aparigraha invites us to let go—of things, expectations, comparisons, and emotional burdens. In doing so, we create space for what truly matters: presence, connection, and a life lived with intention. Whether on the mat or in daily life, we can practice releasing our grip and trusting that, in this moment, we have enough, we do enough, and we are enough. Join me for Hatha classes in Norwich to explore this theme, and woven throughout my prenatal and postnatal classes.