Life nowadays is very fast paced and busy. As a working Mum, I used to think to myself ‘‘I don’t have time to do yoga’’.

Sometimes we think of yoga as something that needs to be a perfectly planned sequence, in a studio and in the right clothing. It may feel like we don’t have enough time.

Yoga doesn't become less valuable because it is shorter. A little bit of mindful movement can still be a moment to reconnect with your body, notice your breath and give yourself some space.

It's easy to think “If I can't do a proper yoga session, I'll do nothing.” But, we can let go of the all or nothing mindset.

One sun salutation isn't nothing, a few shoulder rolls aren't nothing, three mindful breaths aren't nothing.

Sometimes, the little moments are the ones that are easiest to fit into everyday life and over time, those little moments form meaningful habits.

So what does count as yoga? It may be a few favourite poses before bed, it may be sitting quietly and noticing your breath at lunchtime, it may be a mindful walk outdoors, it may be some stretches before the school run or it may simply be observing how your body feels, now.

There may be some days when you have plenty of energy and want to move, there may be days where your practice is just a few stretches or you may have days where your practice may simply be sitting and taking some slow breaths.

Our bodies aren't the same every day, so why should our yoga practice be?

You don't have to do everything, you can simply begin where you are.

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.