When we tell people that we teach yoga and pilates, the first thing that we hear is "Oh I can't do yoga or pilates, I'm not flexible and my abs are non-existent" to which we always respond "They aren't just for the flexible and the strong" This is not just something nice we say to make people feel better, it's the absolute truth. If we only taught to the flexible, it would be like preaching to the proverbial choir.
For most of us the last time that we stretched was when we were kids...so our subconscious expectation is that will be as flexible now as we were then. When we are hit with the reality of our older bodies, we are shocked, a little embarrassed, and even a little bit disappointed. From that moment in most yogis' journeys, we are plagued with expectations. When we master the basics, we have expectations of doing a perfect low plank and then moving from low plank to up-dog or binding or of doing a roll-up or roll-over. When we conquer these challenging poses and moves, we barely have a chance to revel in our accomplishments before we begin to set the bar even higher; " I wanna do a handstand, I wanna do a headstand, I wanna do teaser, I wanna do a pike..."
Every person has limitations and knowing our limitations is an important part of our journey in any endeavor. Our limitations show us where we can safely set our our expectations, but more importantly we let them, our limitations teach us patience and perseverance. And these are lessons that are useful on and OFF the mat.
Having expectations in or yoga and pilates practice is helpful AND healthy. Every defeat that we suffer and every failure that we experience can be taken, not as a set back, but as a learning opportunity. All things worth attaining are hard...try and try again. We have to remember too that every accomplishment and every level mastered can show us the heights we can attain.
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