Why you don't need to stress about being strong and flexible to do yoga.

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I didn’t try yoga for the longest time because I told myself I would wait ’til I was stronger and much more flexible.

Those yogis always seemed to be tying themselves in knots with the strength to keep it in place. I couldn’t even touch my toes.

RELATED: 10 everyday yoga poses you’ve already mastered (without realising).

Now, I love sweating it out at Bikram yoga and try to go a couple of times a week. Turns out you don’t need to be strong, flexible, fit or anything but yourself.

A different way I have heard this phrased is that the excuse of not being flexible enough for yoga is like not having a shower because you are too dirty. It is the result of practicing yoga that will bring you the benefits of becoming flexible and strong.

The truth is that strength and flexibility are products of practicing yoga. (Post continues after gallery.)

No one will expect a beginner to master all of the poses. Although, funnily enough you will find that some of the poses come rather easily to you (and yes, others will be very hard).

But you couldn’t jump on a basketball court having never played before and expect to be a pro player. You have to do the work.

RELATED: “How yoga helped me love my bigger body.”

Yoga is a practice that benefits both the mind and body. It can be used to calm the mind, improve your mood and increase your energy. (Post continues after video.)

It is also a great way to better the connection between your mind and body in order to feel yourself as a whole entity. Plus, nothing is better than when you get to lie down in Savasana at the end and soak in the moments of nothingness.

Not being strong or flexible are very popular excuses to avoid yoga but these are simply yoga myths which I let myself believe. I am so happy I finally made myself go (made easier by committing with a group of friends).

RELATED: The 15 awkward eruptions every ‘yogini’ has suffered – and how to disguise them.

It was only then that I saw how silly I was being and wished I had attended earlier.

Have you ever tried a yoga class? How did you feel afterwards?

This post was originally published on Your Zen Life. Read the original article here.