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Not flexible enough for yoga? Here are three reasons to do it anyway!
June 05th, 2023
It always surprises me when I hear people say to me: “Oh! I’m not flexible enough to do yoga!” As someone who has been practising and teaching yoga for over 30 years it’s the perception of yoga that I would most like to change!
Looking in magazines, on Instagram or TikTok, we see images of people in perfect yoga poses in amazing locations and looking relaxed. The images attract our attention and we wonder how we too could be like that. But what’s going on inside? How do these people, who are often models, feel? Have they really achieved a sense of perfect peace in front of the camera?
So here are three reasons why yoga could be for you and how it could make a difference to your daily life:
1 – Freedom of movement
The way we move changes over time. Our bodies tend to stiffen up and things we could do easily, like getting down to the floor (and back up again!), reaching for something we have dropped or simply going out for a walk may feel more difficult than it used to. Simple movements to free up the neck and shoulders, ease the hips and strengthen key areas of the body can make a difference and may help you to look and feel younger too. Chair yoga is becoming popular and means that the benefits of yoga are available to those who are less mobile. The poses are adapted and simplified and you can do them sitting in a chair.
2 – More energy
Have you noticed how you breathe? Sometimes tension in the body means that the breathing is restricted and a few simple changes to your posture and awareness of your breathing can help to restore a deeper breath. Finding ways to lengthen your breath helps to bring more oxygen into your lungs and this circulates round your body.
3 – Staying calm
Some people are experiencing a sense of uncertainty in life and may find it difficult to manage the feelings of anxiety this can cause. How can we feel centred and more in control? How can we control feelings of anxiety and re-programme some of these unwanted reactions? Building physical strength, finding a sense of balance and learning how to control our breath form the key building blocks for feeling better about life.
Why yoga?
Hatha yoga, which is the type of yoga I practise, has three elements – poses, breathing and relaxation and the real magic happens when you can bring all those elements together – a gentle posture, with quiet breathing and a feeling of being relaxed. And it’s surprising how easily you can achieve this in the one to one sessions I offer at the Woodbridge Complementary Health Centre!
Are these sessions suitable for everyone?
Each session is designed for you and I plan it so that there are things in the session which you can do straightaway and things which you can work towards. Over the years I’ve designed programmes for people in their later years who want to be active and play with their grandchildren, those with specific health problems, athletes who need to maintain a good balance between strength and flexibility, musicians who need good posture and stamina for performing, office workers who find that desk work is causing them neck, shoulder or back problems, runners who are aiming to take part in events and anyone who simply wants to feel better! And if you are an advanced yoga practitioner and there’s a particular posture you would like to achieve, come and see me!
How many sessions do I need?
You can come to me for just one session and I also offer 4, 6 and 8 week packages. The 6 week package is ideal to get you off to a good start with your yoga and you will see the benefits of having these regular sessions. A 4 week course works well for those returning to yoga or who know that they need some specific help (eg athletes, musicians, advanced yoga practitioners or help with breathing techniques). And if you have been thinking about yoga for some time and are now in a position to do something about it, 8 weeks is great and many of my regular clients book in blocks of 8 weeks so that they can continue to develop their practice. All sessions can be booked to work around your existing commitments so you won’t miss any of the sessions you pay for.
A bit about me
Yoga has been a part of my life since I was in my teens. It helped me build my confidence when I was young, it has supported me during some of the most stressful times in my life, especially when I had a full time career in the IT industry and family commitments. And now I’m lucky to be able to focus on my own yoga practice and sharing my knowledge with others, something I hope to do for many more years to come!
A free session
As part of my June promotion I’m offering a free half hour yoga session to newcomers so that you can meet me and experience the wonderful effects of yoga for yourself. Contact my lovely colleagues on reception by telephoning 01394 388234 or email on info@wchc.info to book your free session.
Many thanks
Izzy Ixer
