I’m not flexible enough. I didn’t bring my yoga clothes. I hurt my knee (back, finger, whatever). I’m too tired. I’m overweight/not in shape. It’s too hard. I’m too busy.  Got any others? I’ve heard a lot of different reasons for why students can’t go to yoga. Let’s get a few things straight…

“I’m not flexible enough.”

Oh. My. God. I hear so many people say they “can’t do” yoga because they’re not flexible enough! These are people who haven’t been to my class obviously.

Yoga will make you flexible! Will you be able to do an expression of the splits that will get on to the cover of Yoga Journal this lifetime? Probably not! You’re probably not going to go there! But if you did want to, yoga would be the way to get you more flexible.

Any Body can do yoga. If you are breathing, you can “do” yoga. People in wheelchairs can “do” yoga. People who are bedridden can “do” yoga. Yoga is about being present and using your body to help you get aware of what’s happening in your life. By stretching and making your body more interesting, your awareness might stick around for an in-body experience.

 Once your awareness is trained and you can keep it around for a few breaths, you will start to notice things. First you may notice how you are holding unnecessary tension in your shoulders. Then you may notice you’re clenching your jaw. Then you many realize you are suffering in your job or your marriage. You may notice you don’t contribute in your life in the way you could. You may notice you’ve made choices that don’t serve you. Then you may have to something about it.

You may need to make a change in your life. You may start being a nicer person who’s easy to be with. You may start to take responsibility for what’s going on for you in your life. That’s what yoga is about. I don’t care how flexible you are!