Reasons People Think They Have to be Good at Yoga | Austin Texas boudoir photographer

Often when people think of yoga, they think of flexibility, stretching, and a reason to wear those tight comfortable pants! People are often discouraged from going to a yoga class because they think they have to be able to do a headstand-back bend-twisty combo when in reality they don’t even need to be able to touch their toes! 

Number 1 reason people think they have to be good at yoga is flexibility. Sure yoga can improve flexibly, balance, and muscle tone, but yoga isn’t actually about any of that. And yes you can feel envious of the person next to you in her headstand while you struggle to even stand on one foot, but again yoga isn’t actually about any of that! 

Yoga is a practice. Just like life, we are all in our own journey. Not one person is in the exact same spot at the exact same time. We practice at yoga, just like we move through life. With one breath at a time. 
Another reason people believe they can’t do yoga is their weight. Through Instagram, Tumblr, and other social media outlets yoga has been presented a certain way. Lets be honest, it is usually a sun kissed blonde, on a pier by the water, in a trendy sports bra and Lululemon yoga pants, and a six pack for days. Let’s not forget the notorious sunset behind her beaming through her perfect highlights, skin glistening. Not that there is anything wrong with that picture! It is definitely beautiful and ideal, but not necessary. Shit! I am discouraged to go to yoga when this is how society has deemed it to be. Yoga is for everybody and every body! Do I strive for that glistening six pack and sunset behind me while I stand in tree pose? Sure, but yoga is about being okay with where you are at RIGHT NOW. In this moment, you are worthy of going to a yoga class no matter your body, no matter your weight. Right now I am very unattractively sweating, with my belly hanging over my non-yoga pants, just trying to breath through a basic lunge. This to is okay. Yoga is for right now. 

YOGA IS FOR EVERYBODY AND EVERY BODY
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Whatever your reason for NOT doing yoga, start thinking of reasons TO START DOING YOGA! If it starts with something as simple as wanting to wear those comfortable yoga pants, go for it! I guarantee your reasons for doing yoga will change over time. The more you practice, the more you will see yoga is about being present. It is about being okay with the season of life you are in right in this moment. It is about opening your heart to yourself and to the world and showing grace.

READY FOR SOME YOGA NOW?