Yoga Pathways

When it comes to performance I’m not particularly shy. When it comes to things that scare me – I’m brave. I’m no stranger to fear—driving in Europe? Just do it. Cycling alongside cars tearing down country lanes too close and too fast? Grip the handlebars and pedal. Self-employment? Yup, cue the existential dread and do it anyway. My philosophy: if something scares me, force myself into it so my life doesn’t shrink into a tiny, tepid puddle of missed possibilities.

Except for one fear that refused to budge for decades: my singing voice. Not even a couple of years living in South Korea—where karaoke rooms are practically a national sport—could cure it.

When Yoga Said “Chant,” My Ego Yelled “Nope”

Performance anxiety is the ghost in many rooms, but mine wore a different costume—ego-in-a-tutu. In yoga, we pretend our ego is a tiny little fellow, easily soothed by some mindful breathing and a nice stretch. Not mine. When group chanting appeared, my ego swelled up: “Do not let them hear you!” Even in a roomful of imperfect, lovely humans, I clammed up.

Of course, yoga philosophy secretly loves these moments. Chanting isn’t about impressing anyone or making beautiful noises. According to wise yogis, it’s an act of letting go—watching the ego throw dramatic tantrums, and then (with a smile) returning to the breath, the mantras, and the collective sound. If your ego makes you self-conscious, congratulations: you’re human. The point is to show up anyway.

The Breakthrough (and What Actually Changed)

Recently, I decided to “just do it” with chanting. No performance, no perfection—just awkward syllables and enthusiastic imperfection. I led a number of chanting mantras, I sang, I recorded, and the result? Not disaster. Unison. Connection. And a strange, liberating laughter at how ridiculous the whole fear had become. It turns out most people are too busy noticing their own croaky voices to judge mine. In fact, the magic of chanting in a group is that it transforms you from solo self-judger to part of a glorious flock—maybe a bit tone-deaf, but in tune with something much bigger.

Yogic Lessons 😜

• Ego is like a noisy child in the back seat—acknowledge it, but don’t let it drive.
• The real practice is not voice training, but letting go—even letting go of the need to sound good.
• Fear rarely disappears before action. In yoga, we act anyway.
• Growth happens on the mat, off the mat, and sometimes right in the middle of a chant (even if your voice cracks).
• Bonus: It’s scientifically proven that laughter, imperfection, and chanting all reduce stress and make group connection much richer.

If your ego says “don’t chant,” do it anyway, and remember—even yogis sound a bit silly sometimes. That’s the practice: not the perfect OM, but the perfectly imperfect act of letting go, joining in, and thriving together. That’s yoga. That’s courage. That’s hilarious.