Most people think that yoga is only meant for flexible people. With the amount of poses and intricate movements yogis make, a contortionist’s body can be pictured by those who are still perplexed to give yoga a try.
As with any form or exercise or sport, yoga starts from Ground Zero and gradually, to the top of the mountain. There’s no practice that starts from the middle or straight to expert mode: no matter how good, strong, flexible or mentally prepared you are, you must first learn the basics, and take everything step by step. It will take time, effort, dedication and the persistent desire to reach enlightenment, and the aspect of flexibility will just go with the flow.
TAKE ON THE CHALLENGE
There’s no harm in trying, as they say. The mantra itself is a manifestation of mind over matter or mind over body, and it bodes well with people who are brave enough to try something new. If you want to try yoga, challenge yourself to take a class, and take it from there.
If you have friends who are already practicing yoga, ask them for tips; these will help you prepare physically and mentally, as well as give you a better picture of what a typical yoga session will be. All you have to do is to go through that door and leave your doubts behind.
PRACTICE MAKES A YOGI
Again, no athlete wakes up one morning with a gold medal hung around his or her neck. A runner doesn’t just go on a marathon when he can barely finish two rounds in the local track. The same principle also applies to yoga and the flexibility it requires for it to be effective.
For most of us, there is no such thing as perfection, but practicing every day will go a long way, especially if you’re keen to do yoga as a long-term engagement. Yoga doesn’t need fancy equipment or an expensive gym, all it needs is 20-30 minutes of your time, a mat, a quiet place, and a dash of confidence.
ONE STRETCH AT A TIME
Take into consideration that everything’s possible with baby steps. These may take quite a while, but it will do you a world of good. Instead of taking giant leaps and jumps, do yoga gradually. You can’t achieve perfect twist poses if you can’t master standing exercises or the humble forward bend.
Keep in mind that flexibility is the key, and it is the very reason why you need to loosen those muscles and joints before bumping those advanced yoga techniques. Again, success doesn’t come overnight; each yoga pose will require practice to make it effective and efficient. Even the simplest of pose will have certain benefits that will be useful for the next phase.
BE CONFIDENT
Yoga is for everyone. Whether you’re in your 20s or 60s, yoga is for you. Yoga doesn’t choose if you have a supermodel’s body or on the heavy side. Yoga doesn’t discriminate your sexuality, religion, or status in life. Yoga is an open book that everybody can enjoy.
Don’t be shy to say that you’re practicing yoga. Some might say that yoga is soft and it’s nothing more like calisthenics, but let them try. You know better, and you know that it works. From your good posture, to that smile in your face, or even the positive way you look at things, you know that yoga has something to do with it.