Do You Have To Be Versatile To Do Yoga?

Just lately, I invited a pal to hitch me at a yoga class, and their response was: “My hamstrings are tighter than my denims after Thanksgiving. My physique simply doesn’t bend! What would I do there?” 

To them, the considered doing yoga was completely alien, which obtained me desirous about this widespread fable that you’ll want to be versatile to do yoga. On quite a lot of social media, yoga has develop into virtually synonymous with a younger, athletic woman doing acrobatics on the sting of a cliff or one thing…

However is yoga actually a no-go for anybody born with out the rubber-band gene?

The reply is unequivocal: You don’t want to be versatile to do yoga! Nonetheless, I’m certain that you just’ve heard this many instances earlier than, and but, because you’re studying this, you most likely nonetheless can’t shake off the sensation that yoga is not going to welcome your stiff ligaments with open arms.

Enable me the chance to alter your thoughts. I’m about to make the case that yoga could also be even higher for individuals who topple over attempting to the touch their toes.

Are We Born Versatile or Do We Develop into Versatile?

Each. Flexibility is about how a lot our joints and muscle groups can transfer. Some individuals have extra elastic muscle groups, completely different joint buildings, and connective tissue composition that permit them to maneuver at a wider vary of movement. However issues like each day habits, train, and even accidents also can have an effect on the connective tissue within the joints and muscle rigidity (stiffness), which improves or impairs flexibility. So – we are able to definitely develop into versatile even when we’re “born” stiff.

If you happen to’re much less naturally versatile…

Sadly, these of us who don’t possess the elastic properties of gummy bears assume these flexible persons are who yoga beckons to.

That’s not true for 3 causes. First, scientific analysis in addition to anecdotal proof constantly present that flexibility is just not a hard and fast trait however a dynamic high quality that may change all through life. Whether or not it’s a senior citizen who regains mobility via common yoga follow or an athlete who will increase their vary of movement for higher efficiency, we see proof each day that flexibility is malleable. Second, it appears we are able to’t do something about our flexibility, which isn’t solely unfaithful but in addition demoralizing. And third, and possibly most essential, it reduces the holistic follow of yoga to solely stretching. An genuine yoga class is a lot greater than how deep you may bend, incorporating bodily well being, psychological well-being, and private progress via completely different strategies and practices.

If you happen to’re too naturally versatile…

However let’s get again to flexibility. The opposite excessive — the idea that anybody can develop into a Cirque Du Soleil contortionist — is equally problematic. Genetics are an enormous piece of our physiological puzzle, they usually could make it tougher and even not possible for us to achieve sure ranges of flexibility.

As an example, most of us mortals won’t ever have the ability to attain the near-superhuman skills of yogis corresponding to Kino MacGregor or Dylan Werner. Kino’s Gandha Bherundasana (Formidable Face pose) is a first-rate instance of how hyper flexibility is typically – considerably unfairly – represented because the poster youngster of yoga. However that is the exception, not the norm in yoga courses. Most yoga lecturers and college students alike are individuals who embrace imperfections and are set on a mission to be taught and develop collectively, one pose and one inhale at a time.

The Wiggle Room

Flexibility is just not solely a genetic predisposition – it’s additionally a talent we are able to work on and enhance. One of the best ways to consider it’s as a observe going from zero to 100. Our start line on this observe is genetically predetermined — some persons are naturally extra versatile than others, so maybe they begin at 40. If you happen to can barely contact your knees leaning down, you might be beginning at zero. Even our hypothetical end line (the very best flexibility restrict we are able to attain) is influenced by genetics and physiological variations. What’s extra, how briskly we transfer on the observe is a mix of genetics and dedication. For some individuals, it is going to be arduous, whereas for others, it is going to be comparatively straightforward to develop into extra versatile shortly.

Nonetheless, the power to maneuver ahead, to make progress alongside the observe, and to develop into extra versatile is absolutely in our management.

Yoga is a instrument that drives this progress. It’s the technique that may get you to the end line and even show you how to push the boundaries of your personal physique — if that’s one thing you aspire to do. It may also be your mild pal that helps you enhance and keep mobility and vary of movement as you navigate the hurdles of our trendy life-style.

The journey to flexibility is extremely subjective and can really feel completely different to all people.

Beginning Yoga With out Flexibility

Okay, so yoga improves flexibility, however are you able to begin doing yoga if you happen to really feel such as you’re at level zero on the observe?

Sure, as a result of yoga is for everyone and each physique.

Yoga as a follow provides a holistic expertise that transcends our bodily limitations and aesthetics in motion. It doesn’t matter if we fall, shake, sweat, or wrestle on the mat so long as we’re attempting to be current within the second and provides our greatest. Yoga is about making you really feel good, not nearly making you look good. Because of this it incorporates respiration strategies, meditations, and mindfulness practices that promote kindness and leisure.

Talking of kindness and good vibes, you shouldn’t fear about how superior everybody can be at your first yoga class. In yoga, greater than every other self-discipline, it’s extremely frowned upon to check ourselves to others, choose another person’s particular person journey, and showcase by way of bodily skills. The true masters in yoga aren’t exhibiting off; they’re humble, devoted, and adaptable. Overlook social media – yoga in the true world is completely different.

How Yoga Advantages Everyone

I stated that I might make the case that yoga may very well profit much less versatile college students extra. Primarily based on all the things that we lined to this point, are you able to guess why that is perhaps?

Folks with hypermobility, a situation the place some or all joints have an unusually big selection of movement, can transfer their limbs into positions that could be not possible for others. Which means that they will do superior yoga poses with ease — or so it could appear. 

The situation could make hypermobile individuals vulnerable to accidents as a result of, in some circumstances, it makes the ligaments and joints unfastened and stretchy. Making use of an excessive amount of stress on stretchy and unfastened joints is harmful and may result in dislocations. This often occurs when excited and impatient hypermobile college students rush to attempt superior yoga poses earlier than their physique is robust sufficient to help them.

Flexibility, Stability, Energy

Yoga poses incorporate three elements: flexibility, steadiness, and energy. As an example, what’s thought of to be the “hardest yoga pose” or asana by many, Taraksvasana (Handstand Scorpion Pose), is a pinnacle of mastery over all three elements.

In that sense, new college students who patiently and regularly develop all three abilities will reap probably the most advantages from yoga as a bodily follow. Those that safely follow superior poses are practitioners with years and years of expertise — and their beginnings have been no completely different than any of ours, we who tried recreating a yoga pose from {a magazine} cowl and failed miserably.

So, Do You Need to Be Versatile to Do Yoga?

Completely not. And now you realize why. Saying that you need to be versatile to do yoga is like saying you need to be Usain Bolt to go for a run.

Yoga is a instrument that drives progress with regards to flexibility, which is a extremely particular person journey that everybody ought to take at their very own tempo. Being hyperflexible is just not at all times a bonus. Solely via endurance and sweating on the mat constantly will you rework your physique and enhance flexibility. 

Discovering out what your physique is actually able to begins the second you step outdoors your consolation zone. So be a part of a yoga class and witness your physique changing into extra versatile!