The lessons I learned from being inflexible

I admit it: I am not very flexible. Being a yoga teacher presents challenges for me, but not the challenges you would expect. Sure, there are poses that I cannot do because the body challenges I speak of are the ones inside my head.

Are you saying “g, “Y” u a” “ot “good en “ugh” “nd “o” ca” I teach you yoga whecan’tancan’ta “‘t “ne” c “It almost stopped me from becoming a teacher of yoga, thinking that I was not flexible or strong enough? If I had let my doubts stop me, I would have missed out on a life-changing experience. It is something I’ve been having for years, and it brings me immense joy.

Let Go of Insecurities

I was not interested in continuing with something I wasn’t away from. I let my insecurities “you’re “‘you’reu “you’reu’re en “ugh” vo” ce,” “ule” me.

As a child, I enjoyed dancing. After several years of ballet, I was rejected from a program and quit. I quit doing something I wanted, believing that my experience would tell me I was never going to be a good ballet dancer and that I shoshouldshouldn’tnuetnuedidn’tdn’t know that I could dance for the sheer love of dancing, even if I had never become a prima ballerina.

Perfection is not important. Passion is everything.

What good is it if you achieve perfection and don’t have passion? You can be free to acknowledge that you won’t do everything perfectly. But shouldn’t let perfection stop you from doing what you love.

I discovered that I loved it so much that my inner critic refused to tell me I couldn’t be flexible; I would be the best little Yogini that I could be. I was more concerned about my passion than with doing it perfectly.

It taught me to accept myself for who I am despite my imperfections. It taught me perseverance and dedicatiIt’sInIt’shatshadon’todon’tdoubtsubts, but I do worry that when people see me practicing, they will then “k, “S “i” “ea” er?”. “and “I am probably the least flexible yoga teacher that you will ever encounter. doesn’doesn’tdoesn’trn’tr. I love helping students to transform their body, mind, and soul. What matters is that it makes me happy.

Being less than Gumby, I think, makes me more relatable to students. I believe that seeing how nothing comes easily to me inspires my students to work harder, grow, and improve.

Comparison and Perfectionism: A Challenge to Our Minds

I am indeed discouraged by the pictures of super-bendy yogis. It challenges my perfectionism and forces me to stop comparing myself, my body, and my abilities with others. Theodore Roosevelt once said” d, “C” m,” a, “e” “on “teals “oy.”

“y c” constantly comparing myself to others, I rob myself of the enjoyment of doing what I enjoy and being myself. Do not try to be someone else; instead, strive to be your most awesome self and feel joy in the process.

Keep trying and practicing if you are passionate about something.

Why We Call YPractiPractice’ice’ practices for good reason that yoga is called “prac” ce” “e” N” t “o” ly “It is something you do, but you also have to practice it to improve. There is no final goal. The journey will never end, but it is extremely rewarding. It’s interesting to see my progress and how much I’ve improved since I started. I am proud of myself for sticking with it and continuing with it and seeing the improvements.

It is more important to see the changes that have taken place in my mind and heart.

It has taught me how to be more flexible. It has taught me to accept myself for who I am, and I’m noI’mI’mmI’mI’mnuesues to myself, not to judge myself harshly, and to accept where I am every minute of every day. I am always learning, always improving, and always imperfect.