I can't do yoga I'm not flexible enough......

Whenever I tell people that I teach yoga this is the most common response that I get. 'I can't do yoga I'm not flexible enough.'

It's such a common misconception that yoga is this elite thing that only super flexible people can enjoy so I am writing this post to help you to understand why this is in fact not true. There purpose of the physical practice of yoga is to get your body ready to be able to sit in a meditation seat!! Have you ever tried to sit cross legged on the floor for any longer than a few minutes? It's harder than it looks so the asana or poses we use to stretch and strengthen the body for meditation.

Yogas citta vritti nirodhah

The Yoga sutras of Patanjali tells us this Yogas citta vritti nirodhah - The restraint of the modifications of the mind-stuff is Yoga. A looser translation being calming the fluctuations of the mind. Yoga is mostly about our own self awareness, do we notice when our mind is being inflexible. Have we allowed our inner voice to cause us suffering? Or can we be aware enough to take control and change how we move thorugh the world.

We use our breath to calm, we practice Kindness, generosity, truthfullness to both ourselves and others. Our own mental attitude can determine our entire view of the outside world. You can face challenges every day but how you allow the mind to view those challenges will determine if you find sadness or joy. Can you see growth instead of percieved failure?

So yes head stand is a known asana, but the ability to do a headstand on it's own is not yoga. The ability to do a headstand with a calm steady breath and without your mind internally screaming 'I hate this, I'm going to break my neck and die!' is Yoga. Being able to fall without immediate anger and belief that you have failed is Yoga. To not do a headstand and be content with your body and your practice and know that your worth is not determined by your ability to do a headstand is Yoga. To not do a headstand and celebrate those who can without jealousy is Yoga.

Next time you decide you can't do Yoga you are letting your mind determine something on your behalf and that is exactly what we are trying to avoid.

Written by a Yoga teacher - who can't do a headstand (yet).