my new boots
Before a Beginner's Yoga class recently, a longtime yoga student and I were talking about just how accessible yoga is.
We both love the practice and naturally want to share it with people we love and know would benefit from it.
But so often, we hear the reasons why people feel like they can't do it.
"I'm not strong enough."
"I can't sit with my thoughts."
"I can't sit on the ground!"
"I'm just not flexible."
Of course, a consistent yoga practice can actually help build strength and flexibility, not to mention cultivate a sense of calmness and presence.
But the problem is the barrier to actually getting on the mat.
There’s this idea, no doubt perpetuated by all those picture-perfect poses that flood social media, that you have to look and act a certain way to be a yogi.
But the beauty of yoga is that it can be practised by anyone, anywhere. And everyone’s practice will look different.
“If you can breathe, you can do yoga.”
- T. Krishnamacharya
I’ve taught community classes where some students were sitting in chairs, some were unable to kneel, a couple were dressed in skirts and unable to bend… but every single one of us was able to do our own version of yoga.
We did a centring practice, connecting with our breath.
We did a warm-up—some of us sitting, some standing, each starting to bend, flex, and stretch the body.
We did our own version of sun salutations. Found ways to open the chest, to lengthen the spine, syncing movement with breath.
To close the practice, some students lay in savasana, others sat on the floor or a chair in meditation.
Each of us breathing. Each of us doing yoga.
It was a good time for this reminder, because—quite literally in the middle of talking to this student about the accessibility of yoga—I broke my toe.
When I injured my wrists years ago, I was devastated, thinking that it meant I couldn't practice. Now, I know it's not all about downward dogs and strict poses and forcing my body into unsustainable shapes when I'm injured.
My practice is about honouring my body where it's at.
Moving and breathing with intention and attention.
Even if that means showing up to practice, sitting on a stack of bolsters with my moon boot.
With love,
