Taming the Inner Critic: Meet Sassy Sara 🌀

Lately, I’ve been dealing with that mean, judgmental voice in my head—the one that picks apart every little thing I do, especially when I’m teaching yoga. You know the one, right? The one that says, “You forgot a pose” or “That playlist wasn’t it.” At first, I called her Snarky Sarah because she was dripping with sarcasm and side-eye. But over time, as I started to understand her better, she evolved into Sassy Sara.

When I thought about what this voice looked like, I drew her in my journal during a Kripalu yoga retreat in June 2023. This picture is my visual representation of her: she’s leaning against a brick wall (not pictured), hunched over, looking scruffy, wearing ripped jeans (not the fashionable kind), and smoking a long cigarette—like the ones Cruella DeVille smokes. That’s how I see her when she shows up with her sarcastic, biting and downright rude commentary.

Lately, Sassy Sara has been extra loud. She’s quick to say things like, “Ugh, you forgot humble warrior on the left side,” or “You should’ve picked a better playlist.” And I noticed something interesting—she always says “YOU,” like she’s separate from me, judging from the sidelines. Through therapy and self-reflection, I’ve learned that she is separate from me. That voice isn’t who I am.

Here’s what else I’ve learned: Sassy Sara isn’t here to hurt me—she’s trying (in her clumsy way) to protect me from failure or judgment. My therapist suggested something that really stuck: instead of fighting her or pushing her away, I should acknowledge her. Bring her closer. Let her know I see her and understand she’s just trying to help, even if her methods need some serious work.

So now, when Sassy Sara shows up, I take a deep breath and remind myself that her voice isn’t the real me. It’s just an old habit trying to keep me safe. Instead of arguing with her, I gently say, “I know you’re trying to help, but I’ve got this.” It’s not always easy—sometimes she gets louder after a class—but I’m learning to put space between what she says and how I feel.

Like many inner critics, Sassy Sara feeds off insecurities, trying to convince me that her judgments are truths. But as I continue my yoga journey—both as a teacher and a student—I’m realizing that the most powerful response isn’t to silence her but to understand her.

If you’ve got your own version of Sassy Sara, know that you’re not alone. The goal isn’t to get rid of these voices, but to remind them—and yourself—that you are more than enough, even with a skipped pose or a not-so-perfect playlist.

Sending love and patience to everyone on this journey.