Warrior Poses for Radical Acceptance
Sometimes life hands us moments we never asked for and would give anything to change. Losses, mistakes, regrets, painful chapters—we can’t rewrite them, no matter how much we wish we could. That’s the hardest part about radical acceptance: realizing that the past cannot be undone.
Acceptance doesn’t mean approval. It doesn’t mean what happened was okay. It means we stop fighting with reality so we can stop suffering twice.
One way to practice this is simple but powerful:
Accept the facts. You can’t change the past.
Give your past self a hug. Imagine wrapping that version of you in compassion. Tell them: “You are safe now. I see your pain. I’ve got you.”
Release what lingers in your body. Sadness, guilt, or shame often live not just in the mind but in the muscles and the breath.
This is where warrior poses come in.
Stand tall. Plant your feet firmly on the ground. Stretch your arms wide like you’re claiming your space in the world. Feel your body strong, stable, alive.
You can even play with it—become a tiger ready to pounce, a lion letting out a roar, or a warrior standing proud and unshaken. Lift your chest, let your face soften into a smile, and feel the power inside you.
Because here’s the truth:
You are still here.
You are still alive.
And no matter what happened in your past, you deserve happiness, strength, and freedom.
Warrior poses remind us that while we can’t change what was, we can choose how we carry ourselves now. And sometimes, choosing to stand tall is the bravest act of all.
By Dr Michelle Beukes-King
