This episode is for everyone who thinks they can't do yoga or those who tried one class and didn't go back.

You can practice with me at eqyoga.co.uk

Transcript

Vicky (00:00:03) - Hi, welcome to All Things Yoga with Vicky, a podcast about all things yoga. Now, today is for the people who think yoga isn't for them. So if you think yoga isn't for you, then please carry on listening. Now, when people find out I'm a yoga teacher, invariably they'd say something like, I'd love to do yoga, but I'm just not flexible enough, or my balance is far too bad to do yoga. I'd fall over or I could never wear leggings in public. Now, if I had a pound for every time someone had said something along those lines to me, I wouldn't need to teach yoga. I probably still would, though. Now sometimes I just smile politely, and other times I explain that people who do yoga are flexible because they do yoga. They might not have started out that way. Often. Use the analogy saying you're too inflexible to do yoga is like saying you're too dirty to have a shower. There is no way we would not shower because we're too dirty.

Vicky (00:01:13) - So why do we think we can't do yoga? Because we aren't flexible. I mean, I get it, yoga can seem like some sort of strange witchcraft that it involves impossible pretzel poses, balances, and lots of lycra. But yoga can take many forms now. Recently, I had a student say to me that the style of yoga I teach has enabled her to realize what yoga is really about. She'd attended a handful of fast paced flow classes in the past and thought that was yoga. Um, she thought all yoga was like that. Now I teach Hatha yoga, which focuses on each pose, taking time to find a version of the pose that feels good for each individual. And also, there's a lot of breathing involved with our poses. Now, the challenge in hatha yoga comes from maintaining poses for longer, which is very different to these fast paced vinyasa flow classes, but a little bit more like a dance. Now, our first experience of yoga can dictate what yoga is for us or what we think yoga is.

Vicky (00:02:19) - And if your first experience isn't the practice that you're hoping for, then it's possible that you could just dismiss yoga as something that just isn't for you. So it's really important that if we're looking for a yoga class, maybe try out a few different yoga styles and teachers before consigning it to the hobbies I tried and didn't like much. Ben. Yoga can take many forms. For example, if you've got limited strength or mobility, then a chair based yoga practice could be what you're after. Lots of people think that chair yoga is just for the elderly. But and yes, a lot of older people do benefit from the practice. It is also great for anyone with injuries, limb differences, or if you have limited space in which to practice. I run a chair yoga training course for yoga teachers, and the teachers are always amazed that chair yoga isn't a lesser or easier form of yoga. You work just as hard. You get all the same benefits. The only difference is that you have a chair as a prop.

Vicky (00:03:24) - Equally, if you're looking for a relaxing practice without any physical exertion, then perhaps try restorative yoga. Maybe that practice would be right for you. Where we use bolsters, cushions, blankets to support the body while you just really chill out for a while in each pose. Maybe even the practice of yoga nidra, sometimes known as yogic sleep, is what you're after, so you don't need to move and you just listen to a guided relaxation. Yoga is so varied. Some yoga styles have a set sequence of poses that don't vary and the same every time you attend the class. Others have completely different poses each class. Some have chanting. Some classes are in heated rooms. Some use loads of props. Some are really deeply rooted in spiritual practices. I could go on. There's a rich and varied range of yoga out there, so if you think yoga isn't for you, or you tried it once and it wasn't what you are after, please consider finding your type of yoga as I truly believe there's a form of yoga for everyone.

Vicky (00:04:37) - Please remember to hit subscribe and if you'd like to contact me, you can through my website eqyoga.co.uk. Thank you so much for listening.