No, you don't have to be flexible to do yoga...

I teach lots of baby & toddler yoga, mommy and me yoga, and kids yoga classes. Sometimes I’ve looked at those little bodies and thought “how are they able to bend like that!?”

Something I’ve also wondered to myself is “when the heck did we stop being so flexible?” And, I mean this not just physically, but also mentally & emotionally!

For some, flexibility in the body comes very naturally. There are even individuals that are hyper flexible or double jointed! 😵Unfortunately, these are usually the images we see on the internet of “yoga”.

This seems so unattainable and unrealistic to most of us, am I right? It gives many the idea that getting your foot behind your head must be a requirement to show up for class. So since I can't do that, I can't do yoga!

I am here to say, Heck No to that!

As an instructor, it hurts my heart to hear this and I wish I didn't hear it as often as I do. But I’m here to tell you now that being “flexible” is NOT a prerequisite for yoga class! Flexibility is however, a RESULT of practicing!

You’ve probably heard me say it before, saying you have to be “flexible” to do yoga is like saying you have to be in shape before going to the gym. You go to the gym to get in shape right? Some people are showing up already having done consistent daily workouts, and some are there for the first time in many years.

The result is getting in better shape, and it is necessary to just start where you are at and go from there! The same idea goes with yoga, and especially related to yoga and flexibility.

To me, flexibility is SO much more than touching your toes. *Insert one of the millions of yoga quotes here* LOL. How about, “yoga isn’t about touching your toes, it’s about what you learn on the way down.”

I want to dive deeper into this in another post soon, the idea that being flexible in your mind and thoughts really has a huge impact on your overall well-being and stress levels!

Anyways, I wanted to share this with you and encourage you to give yourself some grace wherever you are on your yoga journey today. Whether you are working on more flexibility in your body or mind, remember that I’m here to support you along the way!

🖤Christie