A Common Misconception

There are a lot of reasons why we don't make it to our mats. Sometimes we don't feel well, sometimes we are tired, sometimes we have things going on, and sometimes we really just want to binge Netflix. And there is no shame in any of those! But let me tell you about another excuse that I hear a lot.

So let's say I am online and someone inquires about classes, right? I start off with the beginner classes and work my way up based on how they describe their activity level and experience with yoga. (You can't just dive in the deep end!) At some point during the conversation things turn to this student saying they aren't flexible or struggle with balance.

This leads them to not showing up. Sound familiar? It happens A LOT.

Here is the thing about this notion: You wouldn't go out to a restaurant, grab a menu, and when the waiter comes over, say "No thanks, I don't want to order food, I am too hungry"

Unless you're an olympic gymnast or someone who regularly stretches there is a pretty good chance you will come to the studio lacking balance and flexibility. We all do.

BUT if you're looking to change the problem (which you obviously are) the solution IS yoga.

I could link you to a bunch of medical articles describing what yoga does for the body but I am going to let you off the hook on this one and assume you know how to use Google for that. Instead I will share my own experience when I started yoga regularly because I didn't just give in to being "not flexible" or "lacking balance".

When I first started coming to yoga more than once a month--we are all slow learners--I didn't right off the bat end up in a headstand. I actually had a lot of discomfort in stretching parts of my body that I didn't even realize needed to stretch. My hamstrings were tight (still are!), my back was sore, and I deemed myself "not flexible". I was pretty hard on myself and thought I just wasn't "good" at yoga. So when you're faced up against this obstacle of being "not flexible" you have two paths that you can take.

Option One is to turn around and go home, never do yoga again, and commit to being this label of lack of flexibility. And if that's you, well...that's you. Unfortunately you will miss the benefits that are gained through yoga. Especially those later in life. And you won't get occasional cake at our studio. Sometimes we even have mimosas. But that's okay you're stuck in your ways.

Option Two is to keep showing up. Little by little you keep planting the seeds, doing the work, showing up for yourself--and pretty soon you realize "Wow I couldn't relax into this pose 3 months ago" or "My heel finally came to the floor!" or "I was a little less wobbly in tree pose".

That, my friends, is progress. It isn't overnight and it isn't for those who aren't willing to commit. The best things in life take ACTION to achieve. It's okay if you're someone who just wants to pop in and out of a yoga class once a month.

That was me for a longggg time--but then I realized if I wanted to change things for myself (and I really needed to) then I needed to show up for myself. I needed to drag my butt to my mat and try. Just showing up gets you an A..but all the extra effort that you put in is what earns you that A+.

You've got to just show up for yourself. Even if showing up means sitting in child's pose for most of the class. At least you came out and tried. Even if that means you have to ask someone else to watch the kids. Or the dog. Or DVR your favorite show.

Find a way to make your excuses...not excuses.

You owe it to yourself to do something good for YOU.

I'm not selling you anything in this blog post but I want you to know the key to your future lies within you. You just have to unlock the door.

See you on your mat!

Namaste
Landen Stacy