Freedom of Mind, Body & Soul: A Yogic Reflection on Independence 

As fireworks light up the sky and we gather to celebrate Independence Day, I find myself pondering a deeper kind of freedom. We mark this holiday as a celebration of our collective liberty—but how free are we, really?

Freedom, to me, is the ability to go and do as you please, as long as it harms no one. But even then, invisible boundaries seem to exist. Maybe I can’t freely enter an exclusive country club because of cost. Or I’m not invited to a Mensa meeting because I don’t meet the criteria. While those limitations might not sting, they highlight something more personal: the barriers we impose on ourselves.

The harsh truth is, the person holding me back the most is… me.

As Gautama Buddha wisely said:  “Your worst enemy cannot harm you as much as your own unguarded thoughts.”

And I feel that. My own self-doubt has delayed the podcast I’ve dreamt of starting. I convince myself the topic’s already saturated, that no one’s waiting to hear what I have to say—meanwhile hundreds of others have already begun. My perfectionism tells me not to monetize my blog because it’s not polished enough. My inconsistency whispers that I can’t keep it up anyway.

Recently, a writing prompt asked, “If you could write anything, what would you write?” It stirred memories of the younger me—ambitious, driven, eager to tell stories of resilience and justice. I wanted to give voice to the forgotten. But life got busy. I got jaded. I started believing no one would care. Yet deep down, I still believe those stories matter. They always have.

So now, I’m working to reclaim my independence—not from institutions, but from the inner critic who keeps me from stepping into my power.

Yoga has been my path to that freedom. It helps me slow down and confront those mental blocks. It teaches me that awareness is always the first step to change. The body stores emotion, too—doubt in the shoulders, grief in the hips, fear in the gut. With breath and movement, yoga helps release what holds us hostage.

Combined with my Buddhist practice, I’ve learned to tap into a limitless source of inner wisdom—my Buddha nature. I remind myself daily that my environment reflects my heart, and my heart reflects my environment. When I soften, the world softens with me.

3 Ways to Reclaim Your Freedom

1. Free Your Mind Practice noticing your thoughts without judgment. Are they kind? Are they empowering? Meditation, journaling, and mindful breathing can help you untangle the narratives that limit you.

2. Free Your Body Move. Stretch. Feel. Yin yoga postures offer profound release—especially in the hips, shoulders, and belly. Let your body speak, and listen closely.

3. Free Your Soul Connect with your purpose. Revisit old dreams. Rekindle a spark. Chant, walk in nature, or sit in silence—whatever helps you remember that you are vast and beautiful, and capable of creating joy.

You don’t need a holiday to celebrate liberation. Begin today. Set yourself free.