The London Satyananda Yoga Centre
Yoga and Meditation in the tradition of the Bihar School of Yoga
Can I do yoga if...
Everyone can do some form of yoga. But there are many reasons why people feel they can't do yoga; here are a few commonly-asked questions.
Can I do yoga if I can't touch my toes?
Can I do yoga if I'm a man?
Can I do yoga if I have a medical condition?
Can I do yoga if I can't touch my toes?
I'm no good at yoga, I can't even touch my toes!
We sometimes hear this from new students who can't touch their toes. Yoga is not really about being bendy or being able to wrap your feet behind your head (although you might think this is a neat party trick). Yoga will help develop your flexibility and strength, and with time and practice you may be surprised that you can touch your toes. But more importantly yoga will help you to develop awareness, balance and mental flexibility that can be applied to your daily life. And "being good at yoga" is irrelevant. Yoga is non-competitive and is about developing yourself, not being compared to others.
Most definitely! In fact, when yoga was first developed hundreds of years ago, it was only men who were allowed to practise it. Here at the Satyananda Centre we offer a balance of postures, breathing, relaxation and meditation. And we most definitely have a very representative percentage of men in our classes.
If you need any further convincing, some famous men who have practised yoga include Yehudi Menuhin (violinist), Ralph Fiennes (actor), Sting (rockstar) & Jerry Seinfeld (comedian).
Can I do yoga if I have a medical condition?
Many medical conditions can be eased by practising yoga, for example insomnia, anxiety, irritable bowel syndrome and backache. The most important thing is to develop awareness of your body and to listen to what it is trying to tell you; yoga will help you achieve both these.
PLEASE REMEMBER that it is very important that you let your yoga teacher know BEFORE the class begins if you have any medical condition or are on medication. You should also consult with your GP or other qualified healthcare professional if you are currently receiving or have recently had treatment.
