Confidence doesn’t always come from a bold declaration. Sometimes, it builds slowly, through quiet rituals, challenging poses, and the choice to show up again and again. For Ellie Cooper, yoga teacher and studio manager, self-belief has grown over years of dedicated practice, both on the mat and in her everyday life.
“To me, being a yogi means that I have a commitment to my physical and energetic practice on and off my mat,” she explains. “It’s not all yoga postures and breath work, it’s also how I show up in my community, in my relationships and in the world.” For Ellie, yoga is a lifelong journey, one that asks her to take what she learns about herself during practice and bring it into how she moves through life. “I work hard on my mat so I can hopefully make this world a better place than when I found it.”
That kind of intentional living has also shaped the way she sees her body. Ellie’s relationship with body image, like many of ours, has evolved over time. “I’ve struggled with how I see myself since I was a teenager,” she shares. “But my yoga practice has taught me that my body is truly amazing.” That shift—from scrutiny to gratitude—has been deeply freeing. “It’s not just about what I look like. My body is so incredible that it can take me through the practice, and is strong enough to take me through this life. The size of my yoga tights isn’t a good reflection of all the things I’m able to do and how full my life is.”
Of course, even with a strong foundation, confidence can waver—especially during times of transformation. Ellie speaks candidly about how her body changed after having a baby, and how those changes challenged her confidence in small but significant ways. “These new body changes made it hard not to be self-conscious when I put my shorts on,” she says. “But when I do, I hope it gives another mum permission and confidence to think, ‘if she can, I can too.’” It’s a quiet kind of power—the kind that ripples outwards.
For Ellie, body positivity is rooted in compassion rather than perfection. “It means accepting our bodies in all forms, no matter the season of life we find ourselves in. Instead of leaning into judgment and criticism, we move into celebration and gratitude.” She’s learned to question the messages we’ve absorbed about beauty and rewrite the narrative in her own terms. “All of our bodies are beautiful and deserving of love and respect.”
Movement, she says, has played a huge role in that. Working toward challenging poses, especially handstands, has helped her build both physical and emotional resilience. “It shows me how strong I am, which makes me confident in everything that I am.” That confidence doesn’t just happen by accident, though. Ellie sets the tone for her practice with a simple ritual. “Before I step onto my mat I like to light a little palo santo and set an intention. It helps clear the energy from my day so I start with a clean slate, and reminds me that I am whole and valuable no matter what.” That moment of grounding helps her tune into herself fully—flaws, feelings, and all.
She credits the yoga community with nurturing a sense of belonging and self-acceptance, too. “The yoga community is so beautiful and I’ve met my closest friends through it,” she says. One of the core principles of yogic philosophy is ahimsa, or non-judgment—a value that she feels sets yoga apart from other movement spaces. “Most of us come from this place of working towards self-acceptance and self-awareness so we can see ourselves better. It’s one of the big reasons I think yogis are so good at building community.”
Ask her when she feels most powerful, and her answer is instant: arm balances and inversions. “Whenever I catch air time—it makes me feel like I’m on top of the world and like I can do anything!”
And if she could go back and speak to her younger self? Ellie would tell her that confidence doesn’t show up overnight—and that’s okay. “It’s something you have to keep working on, and it might be something we spend a lifetime working towards,” she says. “But when we’re able to tap into it, we show up as kinder people. We make better connections to ourselves and others. We’re able to elevate the women around us.” It’s not always easy, but it’s work worth doing. “I would tell her that it’s hard work—but it’s important work that will enrich all areas of our life.”
Ellie’s story is a reminder that confidence isn’t a final destination—it’s a practice, a mindset, and often, a quiet commitment to showing up for yourself day after day. Whether it’s lighting Palo Santo before stepping onto the mat, embracing your body in every season, or daring to wear the shorts even when you feel unsure—these moments matter. They build strength. They create space. And they give others permission to do the same.
So wherever you are on your journey, move with intention, lead with compassion, and trust in the power of coming home to yourself—just as you are.
