"But I can't touch my toes"
This is a letter to anyone who thinks they can't do something.
When we were kids we were sponges, always wanting to learn something new. The older we get the more concerned we are with not being good at things. The truth is there will always be things you aren't an expert in...yet. You have within you the capability to learn whatever you want, if you let go of your fear of failure and embrace that being a beginner is fun the same way you did when you were a child. That being said, it's always easier said than done so here are a few tips for starting a new practice, yoga or otherwise!
STOP LIMITING YOURSELF - ok so you can't do it... yet! Meet yourself wherever you are today & start working.
MOVE IN THE DIRECTION OF YOUR GOALS - practice everyday, on the good days and the bad days. Practice for you. Show up for you. So what if you can't touch your toes or take a decent photo or figure out how to rock climb? Everyone is a beginner at some point in their lives. It's so crazy to me that, when I teach, people say things like "but I can't do that" or "but I don't look like you doing that" - well first of all, you shouldn't look like me–we're not clone troopers. And so, what if you can't do it yet? When I started I couldn't do it yet either.
DON'T TAKE YOURSELF TOO SERIOUSLY - laugh when you fail at something, you're learning and learning should be fun! (I fall on my mat all the time and sometimes I get frustrated, but my practice is always better when I don't take myself seriously and laugh off the blooper reel).
BE PLAYFUL - try new things. Imagine doing each thing like it's the first time & find the joy in that newness!
FIND YOUR SENSE OF WONDER - be grateful for EVERYTHING your body CAN do. Our eyes are amazing creations, our feet carry us day in and day out, our sense of smell is so closely linked to our memories, maybe you can do a pushup or a down dog or maybe you can do a handstand, your body works super hard to keep us healthy and happy and we should take some time to be amazed at that. Next–get excited for all the things you are about to learn how to do! One day you will look back at those in wonder as well.
There is no end–only the journey, one joyful step at a time. So hop on your mat today and HAVE SOME FUN!
Photo (edit by me) original by: