"Oh that's awesome! ..."
{wait for it}
"... I could never do yoga because I'm not flexible!"
{and most times followed by}
"..I can't even touch my toes!"
Time and time again this happens. Why toe-touching is the golden standard for flexibility, I'm not really sure. As if it is the final benchmark to tell you that you've made it to being flexible. For me, yoga isn't really about flexibility but I guess it has helped me a lot. Certain poses do require a certain amount of bendy-ness, but it is so much more! It's listening to your body, connecting through movement, increasing range of motion through breath,etc. etc. I can't help but think how much some people miss out because they see that as a barrier!
BUT. I have a little something to say on the matter.
My husband Justin has been so awesome at supporting me in becoming a yoga instructor. He has been excited as I've told him what I've learned, asks me to lead him in some poses after a run, he bought me Om earrings for my birthday, and has really been my first student. With all the running we did all summer, it has been one of the simplest ways to incorporate yoga into our week! Justin started out as many people do, "not being able to touch his toes." He's tall with long arms and legs so I don't really blame him--that's a lot to work with! He's athletic, having played lacrosse in high school and now enjoying long distance running. We joke that flexibility is the one thing I've got on him!
Well. Last month we were enjoying a soak in the hot tub, chatting about how a friend had made this exact comment earlier in the day, when Justin proceeded to hop out of the hot tub and show me that he could absolutely touch his toes and then some.
My jaw literally dropped. This was AMAZING! I have known Justin for eight years and have been married to him for more than 18 months now, so the fact that he had improved his flexibility enough since March to be able to touch his toes was incredibly encouraging! THAT is something to be said to all those who say they can't reach their toes! I'm so proud of him, and extremely thankful that he's willing to be my student and in turn teach me about progress.
Just because you are temporarily incapable of doing something in life does not mean you never will. Consistent, focused efforts go a long way. This applies to way more than your fingers and toes being able to hang out on the ground together, although that is pretty cool, too!
In fact, let's just give it a stamp of approval while we're here. Yoga can help you become flexible enough to touch your toes!
Now if only I had been paying attention to who I heard that from so I could track them down and get them going with some yoga...
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