How Long does It Take To Become Stretchy And Flexible With Yoga?
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Hi! Just started yoga a couple of weeks ago and I have seen that some of the asanas are hard to do because I am not flexible…I wanted to know if anyone have had the same problems and if there are any tips to help with the flexibility…how long does it take to become flexible, and are the yoga asanas possible at all for someone that has never been flexible or stretchy before?
Tags: Become, Flexibility, Flexible, Longdoes, Myyogaonline, Stretchy, Take, With, Yoga, Yoga Asanas
June 21st, 2009 at 6:59 pm
You can’t put getting flexible in a time frame. It depends on genetics, how often you practice, what type of yoga you practice, etc.
What I can say is that you will get more flexible. No doubt about it. Don’t give up because of lack of flexibility. Your body will adjust.
Does everyone get flexible enough to do all asanas? No. Many times it is your skeletal structure that limits your movements ultimately (See Paul Grilley’s DVD Anatomy and Asana). I will personally never bend backward and touch my head to my butt…. or even do a wheel pose with my elbows straight. My shoulder joint just isn’t shaped that way. But I am still getting more flexible in other areas and I can do poses now I couldn’t do a year ago (like cow’s face without a strap).
Having said that, there is probably a long way to go for you before you run into your skeletal limits.
What you can do, first of all is to stop comparing yourself to other people. You work with your body and your body is as it is. Try to stay unfrustrated.
Secondly, if you want to get more flexible as quickly as possible do the following: Mark in class which poses are hard to do. Maybe ask your teacher what muscles need to stretch for those and if she can recommend stretches. Or else take note of stretches that seem to come not so easy in class. Do these stretches at home every day (preferably after a little warm up, either yoga or some cardio, biking or running). Bring your body into a GENTLE stretch, try to find the edge between comfortable and uncomfortable and hold it just on the comfortable side of that edge. NEVER EVER stretch so deep it hurts! Hold each stretch for at least two minutes. Shorter stretches may release tension in the muscle, but they do not contribute to lengthening the muscle! While you stretch breathe slowly and encourage the muscles to release and relax. If within those two minutes you feel the stretch diminishing (without moving the body part), go on and move a little deeper into it, again until you find that edge. If one side of the body is tighter than the other, spend a little longer on the tighter side.
You’ll be amazed at the progress you make in few months. And you’ll be amazed at how much easier your daily activities are going to be when you are more flexible.
Don’t ever be afraid to ask your yoga teacher for advice!
June 21st, 2009 at 10:24 pm
Your not gonna get there overnight. It may take years or months if your lucky. But be sure to practice everyday, its healthy.