“Do not kill the instinct of the body for the glory of the pose”
Yoga is often associated with flexibility, and it's a common response I hear when I mention that I'm a yoga teacher: "I'd love to try yoga, but I'm not flexible enough." Interestingly, many people who are naturally flexible or even hyper-mobile are drawn to the physical aspect of yoga. We tend to gravitate towards activities we believe we can be good at. However, there is no such thing as being "good" at yoga. Yoga is a practice of self-inquiry, awareness, and acceptance that encompasses more than just the physical body.
Side note: If you lack flexibility then yoga may be precisely what you need, and if you have hypermobility in your joints, its advisable to combine some form of strength training with your yoga practice.
The power of language
I have always been fascinated by the power of language and its influence on our perception. Words have the ability to shape our thoughts, evoke images, and even shape our beliefs. When we hear the word "flexibility," we may envision lithe young beings contorted into picture-perfect poses on Instagram. On the other hand, "mobility" might bring to mind images of the elderly, walking sticks, and other "mobility aids”.
In the context of yoga, flexibility refers to the range of motion available in a joint, determining how far the tissues (muscles, tendons, ligaments, and connective tissues) can move across a joint. Mobility, on the other hand, refers to the range of motion available in a joint while actively maintaining control.
In yoga, flexibility is often associated with passive stretching that involves static holds relying on external forces to reach the end range of motion. These external forces can be gravity, as in sinking into the splits, or using an arm as a lever, as in a seated spinal twist. Such stretching allows us to "go deeper" into a pose but doesn't necessarily require strength or control. Mobility, however, is associated with active movements that require strength, stability, and motor control, such as lifting your leg out in front of you without support from your hands.
This vs that
The messages we receive from the fitness industry can be confusing. We live in an era of information overload, busyness, and overwhelm, causing us to seek quick fixes and definitive answers. The media responds to this demand, providing reductive "guidelines" for how to live well. Initially, the title for this post was going to be "mobility vs. flexibility," but it didn't feel right. As I started writing, I realised why. It's not a competition or a trade-off; it's just not that simple. Mobility and flexibility are interconnected, it's our attachment to these concepts that concerns me.
When a contortionist attended a yoga class
I missed the weekly class where a young lady who performed in the circus turned up, but I heard all about it! The students were in awe of this incredibly flexible individual who had no trouble "performing" the poses being demonstrated. Her presence highlighted everyone else's perceived lack of "flexibility." Although yoga is not a performance or a competitive activity, it can sometimes become exactly that.
While it may feel satisfying and look impressive to touch our toes, bring our heads to our knees, or place our legs behind our heads, do the "deepest" versions of yoga poses truly serve our bodies? While we may achieve the desired external shape, what is happening internally? Not only in the tissues of the body but also the mind. How did we get there, and why does it matter?
Intention
Why are we pushing and pulling our bodies into a particular shape in the first place? Is it to feel a "stretch," for aesthetic purposes, to promote energy flow, or simply because we've been instructed to do so? Defining our reasons and being honest with ourselves is an essential starting point for building a healthy relationship with our bodies.
Missed opportunities
When we sink in or leverage ourselves into a shape, we may end up bypassing areas of limited mobility. To move our entire body into a pose, we must move each individual part. When we have limited range of motion in one part, we may compensate by using another, more mobile part. While this adaptability can be effective it can also be problematic. Firstly, we fail to recognise areas of restriction and neglect to give attention to those areas. Secondly, the part that steps up to compensate may be working harder than necessary.
The body we bring to the mat is the body we have in real, everyday life. The habits and patterns we have acquired come to the mat too, and if we are not focusing on how we are achieving a pose (which parts are playing a part) we may be inadvertently reinforcing compensatory patterns. If we are merely working towards a pose and take the path of least resistance (moving where we move easily) we fail to notice and subsequently, fail to challenge our limitations.
Awareness and discernment
I think my point is, not to forsake the mobility (range of controllable motion) available in our individual parts for the picture perfect pose. Yoga is not about creating shapes, it is about connection, self awareness and discernment. The physical practice, when performed with focused intention allows us to become aware of our processes. From a place of awareness we are able to accept, make changes and nurture ourselves.
