The Yoga Pose you will Never Do!

Let’s face it as much I love yoga I get pretty tired of the scantily clad 24 year old women hyper-extending their hips joints talking about peace and tranquility as they discover their true self.  Look.  When you start a yoga practice especially over the age of 30 there are certain poses that as cool as they are, just aren’t in the cards.  It’s never going to happen!  More importantly it never should.  One of the principle guidelines of yoga is right action.  Forcing your head to your knee in Pyramid Pose after having done no stretching in your life would not be right action but a hamstring tear waiting to happen.

But that does not mean don’t do yoga.  Indeed do yoga and lots of it and often.  The more you practice the more flexible you will be.  The more flexible you are the less stiffness in your body.  The less stiffness in your body the less pain and risk of injury.  You get the idea.  Plus, there are so many wonderful non – Instagram benefits to be had with a regular yoga practice.  Like feeling more peaceful and less stressed out after every class. Regular yoga practice can help in reducing back pain, having the awareness to breathe through feelings impatience (especially around the holidays), better circulation and reducing gut issues like constipation, and flatulence.  Yoga can even help to reduce anxiety.

If you are under the age of 30 well, go slowly towards putting your legs behind your head or 10 minute headstands because all of that will have an impact on your body later in life.  Will you be kept out of the kingdom of enlightenment if you do not achieve lotus?  No.  But if you practice often and enjoy the ride on your mat then enlightenment can truly be yours.