What does it mean to create space? On the mat, in the body, in the breath, and in the mind—space is an invitation. An invitation to soften. To allow. To expand. But this concept of space doesn’t stop at the edges of our yoga mats. The space we cultivate in our practice extends beyond our bodies into the way we move through the world, the way we respond rather than react, the way we clear out what no longer serves us so that we may embrace what does.

Eckhart Tolle once said, “Wisdom comes from the ability to be still. Just look and listen. No more is needed. Being still, looking, and listening activates the non-conceptual intelligence within you. Let stillness direct your words and actions.”

To me, this quote captures the essence of creating space in life—the sacred pause before speaking, before reacting, before leaping into action. Yoga has been my greatest teacher in understanding the value of space. There is a subtle but profound moment at the top of every inhale and the bottom of every exhale. In that space, there is nothing to do. Just be. And when I surrender to that pause, I come alive.

Creating Space Using the Breath

Breath is our most intimate and constant companion. Yet, so often, we take it for granted. The way we breathe tells the story of how we are living. When we breathe deeply and freely, we signal to ourselves that it is safe to expand, to move, to welcome change. When we hold our breath, we grip, we resist, we brace ourselves against the ebb and flow of life.

Donna Farhi, a renowned teacher of breathwork, speaks of breath as an oscillation, a mirror of life’s constant fluctuations. She writes: “Breathing freely is a courageous act. What we discover is that our desire for stasis, our clinging to the life we know, and our bending of every situation to the security of our mental constructs are the very things that destroy our creativity and ability to live freely.”

If we learn to witness our breath, we learn to witness ourselves. If we practice deepening our breath, we practice deepening our presence. And when we consciously create space in our breath, we create space for possibility.

Some of my favorite breath practices for cultivating space:

• Ujjayi breath – A steady, oceanic breath that anchors the mind.
• Cleansing breath – A deep inhale through the nose, a full exhale through the mouth, an audible release of what is no longer needed.
• Nadi Shodhana (alternate nostril breathing) – A balancing breath that clears the mind and calms the nervous system.
• Diaphragmatic breathing (belly breathing) – A practice in allowing the breath to fully nourish the body.
• Breath of Fire – A rapid, rhythmic breath that builds energy and clears stagnation.

Creating Space in the Body

On the yoga mat, we physically create space through movement. We lengthen, we twist, we expand, we soften. Each posture is an opportunity to find new space where we once felt limitation. But it’s not just about the stretch—it’s about presence. The true gift of yoga is in the space between the poses, the transitions, the moments where we return to center and feel the breath move through us.

In a strong, flowing sequence, we may notice that each inhale offers space to lengthen, and each exhale offers space to ground. In a slower practice, we may feel the luxurious stretch of time itself—an invitation to settle deeper into awareness.

Some of my favorite poses for cultivating space:

• Cat/Cow – Expanding and contracting the spine, awakening the body’s natural rhythm.
• Child’s Pose – A moment of surrender, allowing the breath to create depth.
• Triangle Pose – A posture of expansion, creating space between the ribs and through the spine.
• Warrior II – A reminder of strength and openness coexisting.
• Reclined Twist – A detoxifying release of tension and stagnation.
• Star Pose – Arms wide, heart open, taking up space unapologetically.

Creating Space in the Mind

Our minds, much like our breath and bodies, can become cluttered. Thoughts race, to-do lists pile up, worries linger. But just as we create space on the mat, we can create space in our minds.

Mental space is transformative space. When we clear out the noise, the distractions, the stories we replay on a loop, we make room for something greater—clarity, peace, and the still, small voice of intuition.

Creating mental space might look like:

• Sitting in silence with your morning tea, feeling the warmth of the cup in your hands.
• Journaling your worries onto paper, letting them go.
• Practicing a simple breath meditation, focusing on the rise and fall of the inhale and exhale.
• Taking a mindful walk, noticing the way the light filters through the trees.

Creating Space Off the Mat

Off the mat, creating space is about letting go—of clutter, of outdated beliefs, of relationships that no longer align. It’s about recognizing that space is not emptiness, but potential. Just as we allow the breath to come and go, we must allow the cycles of our lives to unfold with trust.

Creating space in life is pausing before reacting. It is allowing emotions to exist without judgment. It is setting boundaries that protect our peace. It is saying no to the things that drain us so that we can say yes to what fills us.

Yoga is not just movement—it is a practice in making space for something new.

So I invite you to take a deep breath. To notice the space between inhale and exhale. To soften the grip of control. To trust that when we create space, we invite in transformation.

May we all breathe a little deeper, move a little freer, and live with a little more spaciousness in our hearts.

Photo Credit: Image by StockSnap from Pixabay