Why Yoga Isn’t About Flexibility (And What It Is About)

"I’m not flexible enough for yoga."

If I had a euro for every time I heard this, I'd probably open my own retreat center by now.

Let me say it clearly: Yoga is not about flexibility. That’s like saying reading is about turning pages. Sure, it might happen along the way, but it’s not the point.

Yoga is a practice of presence. It’s an invitation to feel, to breathe, to get curious. Whether you’re the bendiest person in the room or can barely touch your knees, the magic of yoga is that it meets you exactly where you are.

In my classes around Munich—from Hairu to Kale & Cake—I work with people of all levels, shapes, and life experiences. Some come for the movement, some for the stillness, and many for both. Yoga doesn’t ask you to be perfect. It asks you to show up.

So what is yoga really about?

• Listening: To your breath, your body, your energy

• Awareness: Of how you move, how you feel, how you react

• Kindness: Especially toward yourself

If you’re just starting out, don’t worry about the pose. Focus on how it feels. The shapes will come—and so will the flexibility. But more importantly, you’ll build a relationship with yourself that’s grounded, honest, and strong.

"Come as you are. That’s the whole point."

image shot at Ara Ha