Why Flexibility Doesn’t Matter in Yoga

“I’m not flexible enough to do yoga”

I love sharing and trying new things. So, when I discovered yoga, I wanted to share it with my friends. Yet, when I ask them to join me for yoga, I always get the same response I am not flexible!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Saying you have to be flexible to do yoga is like saying you have to be in shape to go to the gym. Yoga is so much more than flexibility. By definition yoga a ‘discipline, a part of which, including breath control, simple meditation, and the adoption of specific bodily postures, is widely practiced for health and relaxation’.

What you see on social media, is someone doing a posture that requires insane flexibility, like putting your feet behind your head. But, what you don’t see are the hours of practice and the person journey’s that got their leg over their head.

Bikram Yoga & Flexibility

We all have different levels of flexibility. Why? Because not one person is the same, our bodies are different. Yoga, appreciate differences and each posture have various modifications.  In Bikram yoga, you will have different steps to the posture; you have to master the first step before you can move on. You also have a hot room and heat helps with flexibility.

One of my favourite postures from Bikram practice is the Standing Bow Pulling Pose. Before I saw my foot coming out of the back of my head, I had to learn to lock my standing leg, balance, level my hips squarely forward and let us not forget about breathing. It’s about building a strong foundation. I am still learning how straight my kicking leg and I am still falling out of the posture and that’s ok.  I don’t know how long till I will do full expression of the posture. But that doesn’t matter, time here is irrelevant, there is no deadline, no expectations; just you and your practice.

Vinyasa Yoga & Flexibility

Vinyasa offers you modifications and blocks to support you in the postures. Your teacher will be there to help you find modifications to postures to accommodate your body.  At any time you can go to child’s pose. Being in the room and focusing on your breath is part of the practice – simple meditation to look after your wellbeing.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

If practicing yoga crossed your mind and flexibility was the obstacle. Hopefully, now you are ready move pass the flexibility myth and you can enjoy the full experience of yoga practice.

Blog written by Kamila Turek