Yoga Is a Practice, Not a Pose: Why It’s for Everyone (Even If You Can’t Touch Your Toes)

Yoga changed my life. Not just in a subtle way, but in a deep, transformational way that reshaped how I experience the world. Before yoga, I was stuck in my head—trapped in thought cycles, overwhelmed by anxiety, and disconnected from my body. My mind ran the show, dictating how I felt, how I reacted, and how I moved through life.

Then I found yoga.

Yoga wasn’t just a physical practice—it was a way to *be* in my body, to reconnect with something beyond my habitual patterns. It gave me tools to shift my nervous system, to find moments of ease, to access something more grounded and real. It didn’t erase all anxiety or suffering, but it gave me a way to navigate them with awareness.

As soon as I experienced this shift, I wanted to share it. I saw the people around me—people I loved—struggling in their own ways, and I knew yoga could help them too. And yet, so many people hesitate to step onto a yoga mat because of a common misconception: *that yoga is only for the young, the flexible, the physically strong.*

Yoga Has Always Been a Democratic Practice

How often have you heard (or maybe even said), “I can’t do yoga—I’m not flexible” or “Yoga isn’t for me—I’m not young enough” or “I have an injury, so I can’t practice”?

This perception of yoga as an inaccessible, exclusive practice is one of the greatest barriers preventing people from experiencing its benefits. But here’s the truth: Yoga has always been a democratic practice, meant for everyone who wants to do it.

Doug Keller, a respected yoga teacher and scholar, has extensively explored yoga’s inclusive nature, highlighting how the Natha Yogis in the 9th-10th centuries emphasized practice, experimentation, reflection, and continued exploration. Their approach demonstrated that yoga was never meant to be restricted to a select group—it was designed to be adaptable, welcoming, and accessible to all.

As Keller notes in his discussions, “Yoga is about expanding awareness and increasing access, not about achieving perfection in form. It is a practice for everyone, regardless of background or physical ability.”

Yoga meets you where you are. You don’t need to be flexible, young, or injury-free. You don’t need to have a quiet mind or a peaceful heart. You come to yoga exactly as you are—with your body as it is, with your limitations, with your racing thoughts, with your emotions, with everything that makes you human. And that is enough.

Yoga does not demand that you become something else before you begin. It invites you to start from exactly where you are.

Why Yoga Teacher Training Matters

Yoga teacher training is an opportunity to break down the myths about yoga and expand its reach beyond common misconceptions. It’s not just about flexibility or physical ability—it’s about presence, breath, and awareness. A well-rounded teacher learns to guide people of all ages, abilities, and backgrounds, ensuring that yoga is truly accessible to anyone who seeks it.

When teachers step into their own voices, making yoga inclusive and relevant to their communities, they help create a space where everyone feels welcome. This ripple effect allows the practice to reach those who may have felt yoga wasn’t for them, reinforcing the truth that yoga is for every body, exactly as they are.

If you’re considering yoga teacher training or have already begun, I invite you to reflect on these questions:

- What did yoga bring into your life?

- What were the shifts, the changes, the discoveries?

- How has yoga helped you navigate the challenges in your life?

- How can you help break the misconceptions about yoga and make it more accessible?

- What do you feel called to share with others?

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Further Reading on the Democratization of Yoga

For a deeper understanding of how yoga has always been an inclusive and democratic practice, you can explore Doug Keller’s insights in the following resources:

- Podcast Episode:The Democratization of Yoga, with Doug Keller on the Weeks Well podcast here

- Doug Keller - "Vedas, Tantra, Hatha Yoga, and Rebirth", where he discusses yoga’s evolution and accessibility, here

These resources provide valuable insights into how yoga has been designed to be accessible to everyone, regardless of physical abilities or background.

Yoga is a lifelong journey of discovery and growth. If you're looking to deepen your practice and explore yoga beyond the poses, we offer trainings designed to support that path. Visit Ashland Yoga Center to learn more

In gratitude,

Natalie