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Flexibility Issue: Regroup and Reorganize

Allistair Santiago

flexibility-issue.jpgAt the risk of sounding like a broken record, I’m realizing (further) the depth of my flexibility issue. It’s time for a new approach.

Here’s the problem: My flexibility is so poor that I can’t approximate even the simplest poses closely enough to improve them. The instructor says “Sit on the ground with your legs out.” I can do that. The instructor says “Now lean forward from the hips and grab your calves or toes or the soles of your feet.” I can’t do that. I succeed only in reaching my knees – the tops of my knees, to be exact. And that’s only because my arms cover the distance. I’m still sitting upright. During any yoga routine, I suffer this kind of flexibility problem on several different poses – actually, almost all of them.

My flexibility, at this point, is so dismal that I can’t see it getting better without me consciously working at it more than once a week. So I’ve made a game plan. Inspired last week by the revelation that I could do yoga from home using a DVD, I figured I’d try that out more regularly. If I use the 30-minute workout on The Gift of Yoga (YogaHub’s own production) three or four times a week, in addition to the Sunday night Yin class I attend, my flexibility should – I hope – improve dramatically.

Now, this is a bold step for me because I’m not the exercising type. I’m not specifically opposed to workouts or routines; I’m just not disciplined enough to stick to one. So this new resolve, rock-hard now, might be reduced to wet-tissue consistency before long. This is, therefore, just as much a test of will as it is an attempt to get into shape.

This week marks the start of my radical new approach – alright, so it’s not that radical. Nevertheless, it represents a challenge – an Everest, if you will. It is my White Whale, so wish me luck.[tags]flexibility issue, improvement, yoga at home, yoga dvd, yoga practice at home, yin yoga, daily yoga[/tags]

4 Responses to “Flexibility Issue: Regroup and Reorganize”

  1. Angel says:

    Good luck!

    I’m into that issue too, right now. Working intensely in Ashtanga Vinyasa Yoga has helped me lots.
    It’s astonishing to realize how phisycal and emotional pain are just the same. The limits are just blurred as we focus on breathe, and it is a massive release of locked energy accumulated in the tight zones -all kinds of energy…
    So, patience, and breathe…

  2. Tadasimha says:

    I too went through this frustration when I first began taking yoga classes. Once I began practicing regularly outside of the weekly class time, the changes were amazing. You’ve made the right step.

    Don’t worry about the time or the amount you practice. Even if all you have is time for a few asanas, take that time. As you move through the practice, you will find that the asanas, the breath and your intention will not only improve your flexibility, you’ll also find yourself mentally and emotionally healthier as well.

    Keep up the great work!

    Namaste

  3. Amber says:

    And so it is with so many practices we know will be good for us… It can be challenging to find the diligence within ourselves to stay with whatever mental commitment we have made. I find it difficult to stay consistent with my current goals to reduce my refined sugar intake and meditate every day 🙂 Best wishes with your plan!! Practicing yogasana more frequently during the week can yield wonderful insights… mentally, emotionally, and physically. Enjoy the process!!

  4. Allistair says:

    Alright, so it’s been a few weeks since my resolution. I’ve been wavering a bit, I gotta be honest. I’m trying to keep up practicing, but I keep finding excuses not to. The story of my life, really. But improvements have come. They’ve been small, but noticeable. So I guess the plan is working to a certain degree. I just gotta stick to it now… Thanks for the continued support!

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