Removing doubt from yoga

A common statement I hear from individuals who wish to begin yoga is "but I'm not flexible". A misconception about yoga is that one needs to be super flexible and eventually be able to go into intense/deep yoga poses in order to be successful. It breaks my heart a bit to hear this from individuals, because unlike sports or performance, there is no standard or prerequisite to "be good" at yoga.

This self doubt and hesitation towards yoga derives from modern society's portrayal of yoga, which includes "insta-yogis" and instructors who focus more on showcasing their skills than encouraging others. Furthermore, these images completely stray from yoga's philosophic, as the individual is focusing on their own ego rather than their practice and what it internally means to them. And this image of yoga doesn't show what yoga does to the body, mind, and spirit. While it can be inspiring to see the strength individuals can achieve in yoga, it creates doubt and hesitation in those who are nowhere near reaching those yoga poses.

But the good news is you don't have to put foot behind your head or balance only on 1 arm! Yoga is a personal practice. The only goals are the ones you create; it can be as simple as wanting to touch your toes in a forward pose, or as advanced as extended side crow. It can be practicing to be mindful at every moment on the mat (which to me, can be harder than advanced poses!) or to add physical health into your routine. 

Whatever your goal is, remember that it is for only you. It doesn't matter what 'level' of yoga you are at, or how flexible you are. With consistency, the flexibility always come, the strength always comes. But what matters most is believing that you can do yoga and deciding to commit yourself to a practice that is healthy and promotes self development. You start and end with on your own mat, focusing on your practice, your breath, and your mind :)