I can’t do yoga, I’m not flexible enough
Firstly, this is WRONG.
Secondly, and most importantly you are enough. You always were and always will be.
One of the phrases I hear the most is, ‘Oh I can’t do yoga as I’m not flexible’. Unfortunately, this yoga myth leaves people feeling like you need to be flexible before ever setting foot on a mat.
I once read somewhere that saying you have to be flexible to do yoga is like saying you have to be in shape to go to the gym, or that you have to be clean to take a shower. When you put it like that it seems crazy that so many share this view about yoga.
The truth is, flexibility isn’t a prerequisite for attending a yoga class. Especially not here at Yo. Sure, a regular yoga practice will help you become more flexible over time, but there is so much more to gain from a yoga practice to benefit your physical and emotional health.
If you can’t touch your toes, just bend your knees. See… now you CAN touch your toes!
It’s normal to picture something you have seen on Instagram, someone doing a posture that requires insane flexibility, like putting your feet behind your head, or standing on one arm drinking a kale smoothie upside down. But there’s much more to it than that. Yoga helps you practice mindfulness, learn how to listen to your body, and reduce stress, just to name a few.
Yoga isn't meant to be one-size-fits-all. The practice is actually quite customizable. You do not have to be thin or fit into a particular aesthetic to practice; yoga is inclusive and welcoming. Yoga means union. Anybody can do yoga, regardless of age, body size, gender, ethnicity, or fitness level.
It’s called a “yoga practice” for good reason.
The physical practice of yoga works to lengthen and tone muscles through basic poses and stretching. Basically, you don’t become an expert on day one. Yoga uses repetition to create flexibility. As your body becomes more supple, the poses build on each other and become deeper and more complex so you can continue to increase flexibility. During class you can find more length in each posture with the use of props such as blocks, bolsters and straps, remembering there are always modifications.
There is no such thing as the perfect pose, every body is different. Shapes look different on different people. It’s how it feels that matters. What it gives you and your body. Practicing yoga isn't just about what happens for 60 minutes on your mat. It's about what you take from that 60 minute session to carry with you throughout the rest of your day.
Remember yoga is more than touching your toes!