Yoga and Flexibility

One of the leading reasons that students describe the ways in which yoga benefits them is flexibility.  This makes perfect sense of course as this is a key aspect of yoga classes, to help stretch, move and breath. If this is your main jam for enjoying yoga, you are not alone. According to studies by yoga industry organizations, Yoga Journal and Yoga Alliance, this is the foremost reason that students choose to practice yoga.

This is a great reason to pursue a yoga practice.  Increasing flexibility is important to overall physical health.  It helps prevent injury and build strength, while supporting other activities you may enjoy doing. It is especially helpful in aging, as it can be harder to retain flexibility with age.  This goes hand in hand with an earlier article about the importance of movement, just keep moving even in small steps.

Yoga and Flexibility, the Challenge?

Using strap to help shoulder flexibility

Flexibility is a funny one though.  We often hear from people new to or hesitant to try yoga that one of the main reasons they have not tried yoga is because they are not “flexible enough”.  Hmmm.  Isn’t that the point?  It seems that this is similar to saying, I’m too hungry to eat.  When someone shares this fear, it helps to acknowledge that others have said this as well and describe gently that this is one of the best reasons for them to begin a yoga practice.  Most people do not arrive in yoga flexible, rather they work toward it in class, posture by posture.

Everyone is different and what is flexible in one person’s body may not be flexible in another’s.  Every class may be different as well.  I’ve noticed that on some days my hips seem incorrigible and won’t even let me sit quietly in “easy seated” for 30 seconds.  On other days, they are more forgiving and let me enjoy our breath practice and multiple postures in easy seated without fidgeting. I also find that my ability to be in seated postures tends to be easier in beach yoga classes versus in the studio.

There is no wrong in a yoga practice, it is about listening to your body and honoring it.  It is fine if a posture is quite difficult one day and in the very next class, it is easy breezy.  I don’t wake up in the same mood every day, it’s no small wonder that neither does my body.

Dual Meaning

It seems fair to point out that the many people who responded that flexibility was the main reason they benefited from a yoga practice may have also been referencing a more ethereal side of that word.  Flexible has more than one meaning.  There is the obvious physical one, but also a willingness to be flexible with change, ideas, issues or life circumstances.  Yoga can be attributed with supporting this leaning for the word flexible as well.  The breath practice and quiet reconnection to your mind and body helps allow for space and flexibility in more ways than one.

Yoga and flexibility go hand in hand for many. This article from Healthline shares 16 benefits of yoga, with flexibility in the number one spot.  The other reasons are equally as important and include stress relief, improving mental health, strengthening and more.

Whether you prefer beach yoga, classes on the patio or in the studio, the benefits of yoga are consistent. What is your main reason for practicing yoga?  We’d love to hear from you.  Please share your number one reason in an email to Info@MadeiraBeachYoga.com.   So curious to learn what other Madeira Beach Yogis have to say about this discussion.

—Sandy