Ep #172: Quieting the Inner Critic: False Identity vs. True Self with Michael Henri

The inner critic whispering “you're not good enough” isn't who you really are — it's fear and old patterns wearing your voice. This episode is a gentle and powerful reminder that your inner critic is not who you really are. It explores how that harsh inner voice—the one that tells you you’re not ready, smart enough, or worthy—can sound convincing, but it isn’t the truth of your being. That voice comes from fear and old patterns, not from your deepest self. Using both yoga philosophy and neuroscience, the episode explains the idea of Asmita (false identity), which is when we mistake our thoughts, labels, or past mistakes for who we are. But underneath the noise is your true self—calm, compassionate, and clear. The path forward isn’t to silence the critic completely, but to stop letting it run your life. With reflection prompts, breath practices, and mantras, you’ll learn how to shift your focus from fear to inner wisdom. This episode is an invitation to come home to yourself—one small breath at a time. Episode Chapters: 00:00:00 Introduction 00:02:06 The Inner Critic Speaks 00:04:54 The Idea of Asmita 00:05:47 Fear and the Brain 00:07:00 You Are Not Your Thoughts 00:10:55 False Identity vs. Inner Wisdom 00:13:18 New Neural Pathways 00:16:04 Breath + Mantra Practice 00:18:48 Reflective Journaling Prompts 00:22:51 Key Takeaways 00:25:34 Closing Mantras 00:27:50 Final Reflections 📌 Mentions & Resources: Concepts from Yogic Philosophy: Asmita (false identity) Purusha (pure consciousness) Atman (soul) Referenced Book or Movie: Inside Out (Pixar film about emotions) Reflective Prompts Shared in the Episode: “What roles or thoughts am I mistaking for my true self?” “Where has my inner wisdom already guided me?” “When does my inner critic speak the loudest?” “What evidence do I have that I am growing—even with fear present?” “If I trusted my true self 5% more, what small choice might I make?” Michael Henri’s Instagram: ⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.instagram.com/michaelyoga.pt/⁠⁠⁠⁠ Going Pro Yoga Instagram: ⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.instagram.com/goingproyoga/⁠⁠⁠⁠ The IN Movement Website: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://theinmovement.com/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Trainings and Events: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://theinmovement.com/⁠events⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ The IN Movement Instagram: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@the_in_movement⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ The IN Movement Podcast was formerly the Going Pro Yoga Podcast — and before that, the Yoga Teacher Evolution Podcast and the Rat Race Rebellion Podcast. Same mission, evolved name. ----- 🧘 Teaching yoga? Go deeper with Going Pro Yoga Academy — online continuing education built by the hosts of this podcast: the SmartCue™ cueing system for 180+ poses, 100+ ready-to-teach sequences, and anatomy & injury prevention taught by a physiotherapist. Start your 7-day free trial at ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠goingproyoga.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠.⁠