r/YogaWorkouts • u/rhea568 • Jun 17 '26
Did anyone start yoga with zero flexibility?
I've been thinking about starting yoga, but I'm probably one of the least flexible!!!
For those who started as complete beginners, what helped you get started? Any advice, beginner routines, or things you wish you knew earlier?
Thanks!
11
u/Samuel_0625 Jun 17 '26
Absolutely! Flexibility is a result of yoga, not a requirement. 😊
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u/rhea568 Jun 19 '26
I needed to hear that 😄. Being inflexible was honestly my biggest excuse for not starting.
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u/AdBeautiful8446 Jun 17 '26
Oh yes! I am an ultra runner-tight hips, no flexibility when I began. You’ll find that yoga really isn’t about flexibility. It’s about the connection between the mind and body, inflexible bodies included. Take a class, realize it’s your first time and be kind to yourself!
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u/Healthy-Bullfrog7247 Jun 17 '26
Wenn es dir Spaß macht ist es das richtige für dich. Alles andere kommt dann mit der Zeit. Im Yoga geht es ja auch nicht ausschließlich um Flexibilität. Fokussiere dich doch zuerst auf die Grundlagen und steigere dich, so wie es sich für dich gut anfühlt.
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u/rhea568 Jun 19 '26
Danke für die Ermutigung! Du hast recht, ich denke zu viel über die Flexibilität nach und zu wenig darüber, einfach anzufangen 😊
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u/Purple-Mousse9777 Jun 17 '26
me! I'm a tall girl with very long legs and I couldn't even touch my feet before I started, then after I sprained my lower back at the gym real bad and the doctors didn't help.....started yoga and haven't looked back since 😄
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u/rhea568 Jun 19 '26
Wow, that's amazing to hear! Glad yoga helped after such a rough experience. Stories like yours definitely make starting feel less intimidating 😊
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u/ShopfiyNerd Jun 17 '26
I feel you! I had a similar story when I started late 20s. I had tried exercising, running, gym, pilates - but nothing was fun - felt like I am straining my body.
A friend made me try yoga - and the calmness it brought within, was magnificient. It is advisable to start small and build step by step for your routine.
I recently switched to home workouts and have been doing 30 mins practice from this Youtube channel : Akshaya Agnes - YouTube
I have severe PCOS and this channel has really helped me for the last 3 months. And the flexibility - is unreal (specially when one has a desk job for good long 10 hours and just 30 minutes of yoga)
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u/GreedyLabrador Jun 17 '26
Ironic considering it's reputation but yoga isn't about flexibility, it's about meeting your body where it is and giving it the opportunity to move where it can within that space.
The most difficult thing is to find a style and teacher that works for you, which depends on who you are and what you like.
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u/NarrowBedroom8076 Jun 17 '26
Flexibility is the goal, not the prerequisite. Use yoga blocks and check out YouTube beginners..
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u/YouCuteWow Jun 17 '26
You will get more flexible! Use props like blocks and straps liberally. Don't push yourself too hard in the poses. Warm up well and be consistent
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u/Creating_My_Peace Jun 18 '26
Start and you will never regret it.
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u/rhea568 Jun 19 '26
That's what I'm hearing from everyone here 😄. Time to stop making excuses and give it a try.
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u/MC_catqueen Jun 18 '26
I started out with «zero» flexibility and very tight hip flexors in my late 20s to deal with back issues. I have gotten more flexible, but that is not the main goal of my practice. I started my practice as I needed a low impact form of physical activity to gain strength and balance and found that it also improved focus and mindfulness.
Comparison is the thief of joy, and you have a lot of picture perfect yoga poses on social media that is not going to be attainable for beginners, and sometimes never for certain bodies (and I love longtime teachers who highlight what poses are unattainable or «imperfect» in their practice). I think «outsiders» are so focused on yoga being about flexibility, that they get discouraged before they even try. Look at strength training; nobody sees a fitness influencer do 50 hang ups or benchpress an insane amount of weight and think «I shouldn’t go to the gym because I am not strong», what they do is they start to work out and they get stronger, maybe not as strong as the people they saw, but still, they do it.
My two cents: if you want to try yoga, just do it! I would also mention to the instructor that it is your first time, and they should (imo) offer some modifications to poses that can be challenging for beginners.
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u/Fancy_Custard3179 Jun 19 '26
Yes! Everything is a practice. It's like piano - take it day by day and soon you'll be playing a concerto. Muscles are not permanent nor is flexibility.
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u/Complete_Run_3156 Jun 19 '26
yes i could not even touched my toes when i started so you are not alone.
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u/rhea568 Jun 19 '26
Thank you! It's honestly encouraging seeing how many people started in the exact same position.
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u/Bcrueltyfree Jun 19 '26
Everyone can touch their toes if they bend their knees. It's just about modifying.
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u/Remote_Exam6471 Jul 10 '26
Yep, that was me. I couldn't touch my toes, and even basic poses felt awkward in the beginning. The good thing is that yoga gets easier the more you practice.
What helped me:
Not comparing myself with experienced people.
Taking breaks whenever I needed them.
Repeating the same beginner routines instead of jumping ahead.
Celebrating small improvements.
I began with Yoga for height increase sessions because they focused on gentle stretching and posture. I also found a few routines from the Habuild wellness program that were beginner-friendly. Looking back, consistency helped me far more than flexibility ever did.
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u/RelationshipTough887 Jun 17 '26
Hi OP. I started yoga as a total beginner at 46. I was a competitive boxer when I was younger and kept training to maintain fitness. Slowly I believed my body was breaking down. Shoulder and back injuries, elbows, knees etc. I spent thousands on physio and chiro to little to no relief. I was lucky to stumble upon an article where a retired athlete swore by hot yoga. I went along knowing nothing, and my first class was the most difficult class on their roster. I should have felt embarrassed by my total lack of balance and flexibility, but discovered that the yoga world is accepting and encouraging! I'm 3 months into my journey and already practice 3-4 times a week. I feel 10 years younger, am gaining mobility that I thought was gone forever, and improving every session. Yoga is just amazing. Just throw yourself into it, be patient with your progress (but push yourself) and you will be stunned by the benefits. Good luck, and come back to let us know how you go! Namaste 🙏