You see a slim, toned body on social media in a perfect, complex yoga pose, with a beach and a sunset behind them, and you think “I can’t do that.” But the thing is, you can do that. Yoga is not about the shape of your body, or the amount of flexibility and strength and balance you already have, or the place you are doing it. Yoga is about paying attention to the things your body is telling you, tuning into where you are right now, physically, mentally, emotionally, and using that to move forward a little at a time.
Ideally, we should be able to close our eyes, tune into our breathing and move our bodies exactly how they need to be moved. I don’t know about you, but I am not quite that Zen yet. I need some structure, ideally some guidance, and a quiet space. But that is really all you need to feel the benefits of a yoga practice. Any pose can be modified for your body’s limitations or needs. Any practice can be adjusted for your current situation. I love participating in a yoga class for the guidance and ability to just let go. But what I love about practicing yoga at home on my own is that I can adjust every part of it to make sense for my body and mind in that moment.
I practice yoga to maintain or increase my strength, balance and flexibility physically, and to calm and open my mind. I have been practicing yoga for many years, and I believe it has saved my life more than once. What I want to share with everyone about yoga is that you do not have to be good at it. Yoga will meet you, body and mind, where ever you are right now.
What is most intimidating about yoga?