Fall ushers in the changing colors of leaves, the temperature of the air begins to cool and our bodies often start to fold into a fetal position until Spring. Our natural instincts are to protect our bodies from the effects of cooler weather which leads to feelings of tightness in our muscles and joints. Through yoga, we spend time stretching the muscles to combat this tension that our bodies continue to generate over time. As our bodies age we find dehydrated joints and muscles tightening so we need to counteract the effects of age, and the seasons, to give us more mobility throughout our lifetime.
So many people tell me they can't do yoga because they're not flexible. Or, they're going to break something if they attempted to stretch. This popular meme has floated around social media for years, and while funny is true.
Although some poses and styles of yoga are not accessible to every yoga student - we can ALL move our bodies. I spend time each week at several retirement centers in Abilene helping seniors find more flexibility with stretching and breathing exercises. Most of our exercises are sitting in a chair - with an option to balance using the chair. While some of those participants have an easier time moving their arms or their legs, they all attempt the stretches to the best of their ability - which is what we all strive to do in yoga.
Yoga isn't a try it once and you're perfect type of exercise. It takes time and effort for our bodies to relax into deeper stretches. When we participate in active stretching every week, we notice relaxation of tightness over time. If we are unable to participate in stretching for a while and then go back to our practice, we notice our body has tightened up again where we had previously found release. If you're interested in the science behind how our body works through stretching and flexibility, read this lengthy, but informative article.
The other main reason I hear people tell me they can't participate in yoga is because everyone else in the class can stretch better than they can. Making judgements about others, expecting ourselves to be perfect or seeking competition is anti-yoga. We have to focus on our own bodies to find stability in most poses, and feel comfortable breathing through tension to seek release. Our bodies are all made differently, and while some skeletal structuring may prevent release in various poses, we all have the ability to move. However, our minds can also affect our ability to stretch, as described in this article. In a yoga class our goal is to focus on allowing our breath to relax our joints and muscles to feel deeper expressions of various poses. Even those individuals that frequent yoga classes often tell me there are certain poses they'll NEVER be able to do for multiple reasons. When we've decided our bodies aren't going to relax, they won't. Our mind can control the nervous system response in the body triggering intensity when we even hear the names of certain poses.
When I became a yoga participant over 6 years ago I would often see a more seasoned yoga student relax into deep stretches with ease and think to myself that I would Never be able to do that pose. But, as I learned more about yoga, and felt my body relax over time, I removed the word Never, and replaced it with, Possibly. And, while there are still poses I've attempted (even for the challenge this month), but haven't achieved, I'm still moving with what my body allows each day.
One reason why I love Yoga Pose Challenges is the opportunity to document my body over time. Taking pictures for the challenges provides evidence of my body moving into postures more deeply. The time it takes to relax deeper into a pose can be weeks, months, or years. The pictures below were taken about a month apart from each other. While the amount of time stretching the body before attempting deeper stretches can affect the ability to enter a yoga pose, sometimes, we just need movement over time to build strength, flexibility and confidence.
For the month of November, we will seek to be #FlexibleInFall. This month's challenge highlights more intense poses and less intense poses providing a challenge of flexibility for every yoga body. There are variations of all yoga poses, so find a variation of each pose that feels the best for your body each day (message me for suggestions). Everyday we can experience tightness or release in our bodies from emotional and physical responses around us. On more cool days our muscles may take more time to relax; emotionally stressful days can also create the same effect. Find the best option for each days pose that feels the best for your body.
Those that choose to participate in this fun challenge will be eligible to win a great prize! My awesome friend, Holly, with Romancing the Bead, made this beautiful jewelry to help you usher in the season with style! Visit her Etsy or Facebook page and check out her designs.
To Participate in this month's Yoga Pose Challenge -
Share the challenge information on your favorite social media page to encourage others to participate with you in your journey of flexibility.
Share a picture of any variation of the pose of the day you choose on your social media page - Facebook or Instagram, and tag me @clarissapyeattyoga. If your account is private, message me your pic so I can see your fun poses. I have to be able to see the poses for you to be entered in the challenge.
Another prize I like to share is one for Creativity. I LOVE to see all of the variations of poses your body chooses to participate in the challenges, along with all of the beautiful scenery and fun poses with friends!
The creativity prize is full of fun tools that help your body and enhance your yoga practice.
I look forward to seeing your fun poses this month! Flexibility is a journey! Start your fun journey today!