One of the most common mental blocks for a beginner is the belief that they are not flexible enough to practice Yoga. While pictures of advanced Yoga poses are meant to inspire beginners, many people are discouraged by the complicated poses performed seemingly effortlessly by advanced practitioners. Beginners often do not realize that advanced practitioners have been studying Yoga for years and practice Yoga daily. 

Everybody has to start practicing yoga by recognizing their limitations. There is no right or wrong. Body weight, height, gender, age, hair and skin color are unimportant. Everybody is welcome to practice Yoga, the main thing is motivation to begin your journey. Saying ‘I’m too stiff to do Yoga” is like saying “I’m too dirty to take a bath!” Yoga is non-competitive and celebrates everybody’s individuality.

Just because somebody does not look like the model in the Yoga book does not mean they are too weak or stiff to perform Yoga. All bodies are very different which is why all yoga poses can be performed in many different ways. Rather than feeling stressed about being unable to keep up with the class and forcing one’s body into uncomfortable positions, beginners can take a variation which is more suitable for them. It is okay to be different in a yoga class.

Also, it is important to realize that Yoga is a slow process. Mental barriers create negativity, while overcoming them creates positivity. For example, if we overcome our mental barriers and stop thinking that we’re too weak or inflexible, we can begin enjoying and experiencing the benefits of Yoga.