Does it get easier?

[MaMaLa321]

I'm very inflexible, but have started Adrienne's 30 Day series while on lockdown. I'm loving it, though the Crow posture came as a bit of a shock yesterday.
My question is - I just can't sit comfortably on the floor, and have to use a cushion. If I persevere, will I get better and be able to ditch the cushion?
Has anyone found that doing yoga regularly has turned them from someone as stiff as an ironing board (me) into a goddess (Adrienne)?

Our bodies are the result of years and years of wear & tear, we move and sit in positions that are very unnatural, therefore it's natural that your body will be stiff.

In some ways you can see quick results with Yoga if you have a very regular practice, then in other ways it can take many years to see progress in other ways.

My mum is a yoga teacher and practices every single day, without lockdown she teaches 18 classes a week, she still finds it more comfortable to sit on a pillow to elevate her hips slightly - That certainly does not mean she is not flexible.

I have very tight Achilles heel I don't think I will ever be able to do a squat with my heels on the ground whereas some people find this very easy it's just a limitation within my body if I keep practising maybe in 10 years I might get there.

Basically what I'm trying to say is try not to worry about using props, keep doing what you're doing and you will see results but try not to put a time limit on it.

thank you doadeer

No. I’m a gym bunny and in normal times have traded making DH come to a couple of classes a week with me for me going to yoga with him.
It’s really hard, there’s no rest breaks, it properly hurts and it’s boring. It’s much harder than the other stuff I do and I don’t get any better at it.

It does get easier definitely and the more you practise the more you will benefit, even 10 minutes is better than nothing. However, we are built different and some poses may still be difficult even after years of practice. I have been doing for over 20 years, I run, I do body pump & also teach classes - I can't do the full crow only 1 leg off! Our bones not just our hips limit how flexible we can become so you could take 10 people and them all do the same exercises to be able to do the splits say, but some will never ever be able to do them. Hips, pelvis all sort of anatomical issues come into play but your daily practice is your strongest practice. It is quite normal for even experienced yogis to use cushions, blocks, straps etc. I can't properly sit on my feet so have to have a cushion between my bum and calves. Nameste OP and keep going. Try the brahmari pranayama practice (bee breath) it is my favourite and very calming I find.

It’s really hard, there’s no rest breaks, it properly hurts and it’s boring.

Why go if you hate it? Yoga isn't boring you just don't enjoy it. Same reason I avoid the gym.

thank you everybody. I feel encouraged.

Is there anything that you would recommend going onto when I've finished Adrienne's 30 Days?

Sarahbethyoga on you tube lots of different lengths of class, 10 minutes upwards. She has a lovely voice and manner I find and the demos are clear and easy to follow.

Adriene does other 30 day practices which are good - I started with Home and am working my way through True. Or you can follow her monthly playlist.

Lots of things do get better with frequent practice though everyone will have things they struggle with more.

I'm using the FIIT app and they have loads of yoga vids for free. Would highly recommend! After time you should start to feel a difference during your practises. I've also found I feel more agile and strong when doing every day things, playing with the kids, housework etc. Hope it works for you.

It definitely gets easier, but like previous posters have said some people will just struggle with certain poses.

I did it religiously for a few years then just stopped. I've started again during lock down and am getting frustrated that I can't do what I used to be able to do.

Keep at it - as they say if you don't use it you lose it.

The other thing is there is no "final goal" or "failure" in yoga, so it will always be as hard or as easy as you make it. It is about listening to and respecting our uniqueness. Like PPs have said many experienced yogis may choose to practise gentler forms of certain positions, despite being able to do incredible movements at other times. This doesnt mean they havent succeeded with their practise though, they have chosen to do what felt right for them on that day.

Definitely agree on the end goal. I'm currently working around a back problem which means that I have to be very careful to do yoga in a way that helps and respects my body, stretching the bits that need stretching without pushing myself too far. It definitely limits my ability to do some poses fully (or at all), but I've come to realise that I'm actually doing better yoga now because I have to be so mindful of how I'm moving. It may not look as good as when I was bending into a pretzel 20 years ago but on the inside it's far better yoga.

This thread made me giggle OP.
I've started working through True and now close to the end I've got cocky and done my lower back in.
I'm now hobbling around the house and using heat packs.
I'm also losing the tone that my Pilates lessons gave me. The sooner the studio opens up the better.

Yogiapproved.com has a 30 free day trial. I use Alo Yoga costs around $20 a month or a bit cheaper if you buy the annual subscription. It has thousands of classes.

I think the main thing with yoga as seeing it as a practice not a goal. So you just do what you can do. And you will slowly get stronger and bendier and occasionally be able to achieve things like the crow (don’t think I ever will but hey ho) but it doesn’t really matter if you don’t. There is no “I have achieved yoga” or competition. Just doing it is the benefit rather than being good at it!

Breathing properly, meditation and yin has massively improved my practice.

It will get easier with regular practice but make sure you’re practicing a style appropriate for you (eg I wouldn’t recommend ashtanga for beginners). I’m an advanced practitioner and I still sit on a cushion, not because of tight hips but to keep the hips slightly higher than the knees.

I’m offering free online COVID-19 yoga classes starting this Wednesday @ 7.30pm. The focus is on boosting immunity, improving lung function and stress reduction. There’s adaptations for every pose so it’s suitable for all levels. Check out my website

www.transformyoga.co.uk/COVID-19

for more details