Living Yoga

I want to clear up a misconception that most people have about flexibility and stretching.  Many have told me that they can’t, won’t, or refuse to do yoga because they just aren’t flexible enough to get into the stretches.  Hello?  If you were flexible “enough” already, then why would you need to even do stretching let alone practice yoga?  The purpose of stretching is just that, to stretch.  Not to make a pretty pose.

The reason that our muscles feel so tight and inflexible in stretches is because of tension compounded over a lifetime of mental and physical wear and tear.  The good news is that this tension can be undone and it probably will take less time to undo than it took to put all the tension there.

Here are the most important points to remember while doing a stretch:

Relax. I know it’s easier said than done but focusing on allowing the muscles to relax in a stretch will help increase flexibility.

Feel the stretch, don’t look at it. If you find yourself wondering why your forehead isn’t on your knee in a forward bend like the dancer next to you then look away, check in with the muscles you’re stretching, and only go into as far as you need to feel the stretch.  If it helps, close your eyes.

Breathe. In yoga relaxation is encouraged going into the stretch on the exhalation.  For example, in a forward bend the instructor might say, “Inhale let your spine be long, exhale fold forward into the stretch.”  Use the exhalation to help relax your mind as well in stretches.

Keeping in mind these three points during your yoga practice will make stretching more enjoyable and relaxing.