“I’d love to do yoga, but I’m not flexible enough.”

One of the things I hear most often from people thinking about trying yoga is “I’d love to do yoga, but I’m not flexible enough.”

It’s such a common belief that I think it’s worth exploring what yoga really means.

The word yoga comes from Sanskrit and is often translated as "to unite" or "to join". Traditionally, yoga aims to create a sense of connection between mind and body.

Yoga can certainly help improve strength, mobility and flexibility over time, but for many people, that is not its primary purpose.

The roots of yoga can be traced back thousands of years, and one of its most influential texts is the Yoga Sutras of Patanjali. The Yoga Sutras are a guide to living well and understanding the mind. They teach that yoga is much more than physical exercise; it is a practice of becoming more aware of our thoughts, emotions and behaviours.

The Sutras begin with one of the most famous definitions of yoga "Yoga is the stilling of the fluctuations of the mind."

This doesn’t mean stopping our thoughts altogether. We all have thoughts and worries. Yoga teaches us to become more aware of those thoughts, rather than allowing them to control us.

So when the thought appears “I’m not flexible enough.” We don’t necessarily need to get rid of it. Instead, we can recognise that it is simply a thought, not a definition of who we are or what we’re capable of becoming.

There’s also a little irony in saying “I’m not flexible enough for yoga.” You wouldn’t wait until you were fit before going for a walk, and you wouldn’t wait until you were strong before starting to build strength. Yoga is the same.

The Yoga Sutras also encourage us not to compare ourselves to others. This means recognising that every body is different. We all have unique experiences that affect us both physically and emotionally. Even our own bodies can feel different from one day to the next.

This is why adjustments and options are so important in yoga. It is also why listening to your own body matters more than trying to achieve a particular shape or pose.

With regular practice, you may find that your mobility gradually improves, you may feel stronger or you may feel calmer and more relaxed.

At Tartan Tree Yoga, the aim is to create a welcoming space where you can move, breathe and explore what your body can do. without pressure, comparison or expectations. Your practice should be free from comparison and expectations.