There was a time I couldn’t do this…..something a student said to me recently when they first managed to fold in the posture pictured….
When I teach Ashtanga yoga, I’m always in awe of the range of bodies, minds, and experiences that participate in class. Some arrive with tight hamstrings, some with old injuries, some starting the practice in later life….but they all share the courage to show up, to explore what lies beyond their current limits, and to find peace and strength in uniting movement and breath.
I see students who start out believing they could never fold with straight legs, bind comfortably in a twist, or hold an inversion. And, at first, there might be no visible external progress. But then, slowly, over time, something changes. They manage to fold a little further, hold a little longer, and breathe a little deeper.
And then one day, they finally get into their ‘impossible’ posture. There’s a moment of reflection: “There was a time when I couldn’t do this.”
This transformation doesn’t happen overnight. It’s a gradual process, built on small, consistent steps forward. Progress comes from balancing where we started with where we’re headed.
As I often say, There is always something we are working on and that will be different for Every Body.
Ashtanga yoga is not about ‘mastering’ every posture or reaching some final destination. There will always be things we can do and things we cannot - yet.
The real strength is not in achieving a posture, but in the willingness and commitment to keep returning to the mat, to remain curious, and to continue exploring what is possible.
So remember: whatever you are working on, there was a time you couldn’t do this, and you’re doing great 🤩
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