flexibility

Among the many things our teacher focused on last night was plank and the transition to downward dog and vice versa. She reminded us to focus on maintaining a long spine while on downward dog and engaging the legs and the core and not letting the butt stick out while on plank.

She went around the room helping us align properly. When she came to my mat, she helped me improve my plank. And as I transitioned to downward dog, she remarked that I am very flexible. This caught me by surprise.

I never see myself as flexible. In fact, I think of myself as lacking in flexibility. So it was a revelation that in a group of mostly beginners, myself included, I am rather flexible. I attribute it to the practices I have done so far, which I think really helped me improve my flexibility.

Now, I can feel that my downward dog is better than it was during my first two weeks. Amazing how regular yoga practice can help the body realize its potential.

While I think I am still a long way away from bending like a Gumby doll, the thought that a yoga teacher thinks I am flexible makes me believe that my body is capable of so much more than I give it credit for. It amazes me how I've lived with this body for 30 years, thinking I know it better than anyone. But such is the beauty of yoga that it reacquaints you with your body. In the process, it has the power to surprise you of what your body can still do or make you aware of what it cannot; improving flexibility of the body and the mind.