I never thought of myself as particularly flexible. As a child, I wasn’t into gymnastics or ballet—I was more at home in the water, swimming lengths and feeling steady in the rhythm of it.
Flexibility wasn’t something I thought much about back then. And even when I came to yoga as an adult, it wasn’t what drew me in. I came for other reasons—to feel stronger, calmer, more connected. But over time, something unexpected happened: my body started to open up. I began to move in ways I never imagined I could. Not quickly, not dramatically—but gradually, with patience, curiosity, and kindness.
And that transformation deepened even more when I discovered Deep Stretch Yin Yoga.
A Flexible Mindset
I’ve always enjoyed the movement and energy of more dynamic yoga styles—they bring strength, flow, and a lovely sense of rhythm to the practice. But when I started weaving in Yin, something shifted in a different, quieter way.
Yin invites stillness. It asks you to soften, to stay, and to listen. Rather than stretching the muscles in an active way, it works with the deeper connective tissues. It’s not about pushing; it’s about allowing. And in that stillness, I noticed my body opening up in ways that surprised me. Flexibility didn’t come from striving—it came from softening.
It’s Not About the Shape
When people see a photo of me in certain yoga postures like this wide-legged forward fold, their first response is often, “I could never do that.” And I understand. It can feel intimidating to see someone in a pose that looks far away from where you’re at. But please know: I couldn’t do that when I started either.
What you see in that photo is the result of gentle, consistent practice over time. Not striving. Not forcing. Just showing up. Exploring. Listening.
And the truth is, that particular shape isn’t the point. The pose is simply a moment. The real gift has been the way my body moves in everyday life, the ease I feel in my joints, and the quiet confidence that’s come from meeting myself exactly as I am.
What the Research Says
It’s true that flexibility is shaped quite early in life. Research suggests that children experience peak flexibility between the ages of 8 and 12, especially those who take part in regular stretching activities like dance or gymnastics. Girls tend to be more flexible than boys during these years, due to differences in joint structure and muscle development.
But for those of us who didn’t spend our childhood years stretching (hello!), there’s good news: flexibility is absolutely trainable at any age. Studies show that with regular, mindful stretching—especially approaches like Yin Yoga—adults can significantly improve mobility and range of motion. It’s never too late to find more space in your body.
Come As You Are
If you’ve ever said, “I’m not flexible enough to do yoga,” I want to gently offer this: yoga isn’t about being flexible—it’s about becoming more at ease in your own body. And that can look and feel different for everyone.
Flexibility, for me, has been a quiet unfolding. There was no single pose or breakthrough moment—just a slow, steady deepening of trust. All styles of yoga supported that journey in different ways, but I found that Yin offered a particularly powerful space to soften, release, and go deeper.
And that process is still unfolding.
Wherever you are in your own journey, you are welcome. Whether you can fold forward easily or not at all—whether your legs stretch wide or stay close together—your body is enough, just as it is.
Your yoga doesn’t need to look like mine. It just needs to feel like yours.
Join me for my 3-week mini Deep Stretch Yin series in Crick. I also lead monthly Deep Stretch Yin at the Barn in Houlton and weekly Yin at Club Yoga in Rugby.