Who is Yoga for?

I was reading a FB post in a Yoga teacher’s group recently where the author was asking what they should do for students who can’t do Yoga because they are too inflexible. I’ve heard plenty of people say that they are too stiff for Yoga but I’ve never heard it from a Yoga teacher before and it got me thinking.

Yoga as exercise?

We’ve been teaching Yoga for quite a few years now and we’ve noticed a growth classes that offer Yoga postures as physical exercise in recent times. While that’s ok for those who want that style of class, it does mean that there’s a lot of people who could benefit from Yoga who miss out. They assume that it’s not for them unless they can do those pretzel poses they see the super bendy folk doing on Instagram! However, this really isn’t the case.

Yoga for all?

So, what do we do when a student says they can't do yoga because they're not flexible? Easy! We reassure them that Yoga's for everyone, whether you're as supple as a Cirque du Soleil contortionist or haven’t touched your toes since you were four! To benefit from Yoga you don’t need to try the extreme stuff. Most of us will actually benefit far more by focusing on working with simple, practical poses combined with intelligent breathwork and a healthy touch of concentration! You certainly don’t need to be able to get down to floor or stand up to enjoy a regular Yoga practice.

Time to take a deep breath?

No matter your age, size or how creaky your joints are, there's something in it for you. As Yoga teachers, our job is to create a laid-back atmosphere where everyone feels comfortable giving Yoga a try. If you've been avoiding Yoga because you think you’re not bendy enough, don't miss out! Grab a mat, take a deep breath and let's give it a try together. You might just surprise yourself.