One of the things I hear most frequently when people talk to me about doing yoga is ” I would love to do some yoga but I am just not flexible enough” or “I could never do those headstands, no way, yoga isn’t for me” or ” I can’t even touch my toes- you would laugh”.
Most people think that there is some standard of physical ability or entry level fitness required to begin doing yoga. Or that if they can’t do every pose in the first lesson it means they suck and should quit. For me it’s quite simple- there are very FEW requirements for beginning or practicing yoga. Here they are:
- Being a Human Being.
- Wanting to do Yoga.
I am pretty sure that if you are reading this you qualify for the first category and therefore if you ever have wanted to do yoga you are already pre approved to start.
Anybody and ANY BODY can practice yoga. You don’t need to be on a tropical island standing on your head (more on that later). You don’t have to be in the peak of your fitness game. You don’t have to be young. You don’t have to be flexible. You don’t even have to be good at it.
Terribly uncoordinated? – Yoga is for you.
Flexible and athletic? – Yoga is for you.
Out of shape and worn out? – Yoga is for you.
Aches and pains? – Yoga is for you.
Anxious or stressed? – Yoga is for you.
Happy as a clam? – Yoga is for you.
I think you get the point.
Practicing yoga is so much more than just being able to hold crow or touch your heels in downward dog. Yoga is much deeper than that, and I will touch on this in future posts. Our society has warped our ideas of what yoga is into being only for ‘losing weight’, ‘getting fitter’ and ‘for the flexible people’. Yes, if you practice yoga regularly you probably will lose weight, get stronger and fitter and more flexible- however that isn’t really the main goal.
The bottom line is- if you have ever wanted to try it- you should. You are ready at whatever place you are in your life. So the title of this post I hope you have realized by now is a very facetious one. All you really need to bring with you to yoga are an open mind and a willingness to try (& of course your yoga mat).
Author: Ali @ Sustainable Psyche
My name is Ali. I am an American living in Italy. I am passionate about delicious food that is also ethical, healthy and sustainable. I love pasta and pizza, traveling, horseback riding and exploring the vibrant city of Milan that I call home. 