Stretchy pants, soccer moms, and hippy-dippy Earth biscuit types are what most people envision when thinking about a yoga practice. This is not inaccurate! That does not mean that yoga cannot be highly beneficial for most people. It requires a beginner’s mindset, and the ability to keep the ego in check, in order to honestly assess where the body is at physically and what is needed to improve movement and mobility.
For most people, a simple yoga practice can be a complete game changer in their ability to move well and feel healthy. A simple pose like Down Dog will open up the wrists, forearms, shoulders, hips, hamstrings, calves, and ankles. Putting just a handful of movements into motion - the Sun Salutation (video below) - will not only increase flexibility, but improve the body’s ability to move in sync as a coordinated unit.
This improvement in flexibility and movement will make it easier to complete basic activities in daily life, and improve performance in most recreational physical activities.
Sign up for a yoga class, check the ego at the door, and embrace the opportunity to gradually improve mobility, agility, flexibility, and full-body movement patterns.