Ted Lasso Does Yoga

“Be curious, not judgmental” is a quote often attributed to Walt Whitman and which I just heard for the first time on the show Ted Lasso - which I highly recommend, by the way. Curiously, the quote does not appear to come from any of Whitman’s writing and is often misattributed to a line from Leaves of Grass. Nonetheless, this dubious yet inspirational quote can provide us with a lot of direction in our yoga practice. 

 Be curious, not judgmental works as a reminder for any yoga practice - gentle to vigorous, in person to prerecorded, guided by a teacher or self-guided. Be curious, not judgmental. It’s a signpost, not a destination, like a lot (all?) of yoga and meditation. It is something to practice and - in the practicing - another place to practice being gentle and compassionate with our efforts and with ourselves. 

When you step onto your mat, there are some switches to toggle in your mind relating to your body, mind, heart, and spirit. 

ON                                 OFF 
Compassion                   Judging 
Witnessing                     Reacting 
Curiosity                        Problem-Solving 
Generosity                     Suspiciousness 
Questioning                   Answering 

This takes so much practice and so much patience. The first step is merely learning to see the thoughts and mind-states at all. So often, these “programs” are running in the background without our awareness. The next step is sometimes a general feeling of mortification at just how judge-y, reactive, and suspicious one’s mind can be. Compassion will help with this phase, applying gentleness and caring. From there, you will get to the place where you can toggle the switches, I promise. It won’t happen all the time, the switches won’t be available at will every day, but you will have greater and more frequent access to them with more practice. 

So, when you step on your mat for the first time in a while and the body feels tired and less willing? Compassion and curiosity. When you are feeling so sad and scared and warrior one isn’t helping like it used to do? Compassion and curiosity. When you notice a new sensation in the body? Compassion and curiosity. When you find yourself wishing that the pose felt or looked different than it does today? Compassion and curiosity. 

The next step? Be curious, not judgmental. The practice would have us not actually turn off any sensation, emotion or mind-state but would rather ask us to apply our curiosity to that, too. So the dubious quote would become: 

Be curious and compassionate. And if you’re judgmental, be curious and compassionate about that, too. 


It’s a signpost, not a destination. It’s a practice, not a skill. Give it a try this month. Good luck and be well. 

May all beings be safe and protected. 
May all beings be free from suffering. 
May all beings live with kindness and peace.

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