On Yoga: Think Crossword Puzzle

Far too often I hear people say: "I can't do yoga because I'm not flexible enough" or "strong enough" or "balanced enough" or "thin enough."

Exactly. That is WHY you should begin exploring yoga. Nobody enters yoga being flexible, strong, balanced and thin. When I began practicing in 1997, I couldn't do a forward bend and touch the floor without bending my knees. (Now I can morph into a pretzel.) Growing up an athlete, playing soccer, volleyball, basketball, tennis, lifting weights, you-name-it, left me pretty inflexible - especially in the hips and legs. And I hated stretching. Didn't like the slowness - I was always too amped up just prior to getting on the field or court to go kick some butt. And afterwards? Forget it. Too pooped out. Thirsty. Sore. Which brings me back to inflexibility. That was me.

My first yoga classes were of the Ashtanga variety. At the time, I thought it involved weird out-loud breathing, confusing poses and movements, it moved too fast and I had no idea what everyone was doing. Plus, what on earth does "chataranga" or "uttanasana" or "virabhadrasana" or "urdhva muhka svanasana" mean? The instructors didn't even speak English! Utterly baffled, and convinced I was doing everything wrong, I stayed in the back so I could watch my peers and attempt to mirror them. I sucked at it.

Although remarkably frustrated, I was also intrigued. Fascinated. This yoga thing challenged me physically and mentally. I could see how those well-practiced yogis surrounding me moved. They were magnificent creatures. Sublime. Completely bad-ass. I had much to learn.

So I stuck with it. And I explored other disciplines besides Ashtanga: Vinyasa, Iyengar, Bikram, Kundalini, you name it. I discovered that each has it's own origin, focus, challenges and variations. Gradually over the years, I became flexible. Strong. Balanced. Thin. And so can you.

Here is where the crossword-puzzle thing comes in. Have you ever sat down with a Sunday New York Times crossword puzzle and attempted to complete it? First time I tried, I almost pulled my hair out. Second time, too. Third, fourth, fifth, ad infinitum. It's maddening. I promise, if you've never tried, sit down with one and try to finish it in one sitting (even two sittings, heck, work at it all week, all month, whatever). Then try another one. And another. And another. And another. I also promise, that gradually, you will complete more and more clues. You may even devise a strategy on how to approach each puzzle from different angles, enabling you to complete even more clues. (Although, until you have looked up the muses names, no strategy in the world will help you.)

Crossword puzzles, like yoga, can be esoteric. They possess a specific vernacular and rhythm, and require discipline and tenacity. If you stick with them, you will eventually complete one. Promise.

But in order to progress in anything, you first need to begin.

P.S. The muse of practice is Meletē.