Never say never... (at least to me!)

I get asked what I do for a living a lot. I tell strangers I founded and own a yoga studio franchise call Yoga Hive. Unless they're already doing yoga, their response is the same, 99.9% of the time: 


"Oh, I could never do yoga, but good for you!"

This idea that someone COULD NEVER DO YOGA baffles/amuses/intrigues me. It's simply not true for most of the population. Sure, you can CHOOSE not to do yoga. But "could never do yoga" just doesn't make sense.

So lets throw everything out the window that the world supposedly "knows" about yoga, and bust down all barriers to entry, including cost. I'm going to break this down once and for all so that you're clear on where I stand.

What is yoga?
Literally, the word YOGA means "union," or "to join". To me? Yoga is moving my body in a way that keeps my mind focused on the present moment. That translates practically as: Me staying sane, no matter what life throws at me. (Sounds nice, right?) Now lets get clear on the two sides. 

What yoga is NOT:

• Yoga is not about what you wear to class. (I love a good comfy T-shirt and a pair of sweatpants.)
• Yoga is not only for super flexible people.
• Yoga is not only for people who want to be flexible.
• Yoga is not only for the young. (We have senior yoga!)
• Yoga is not a hippie woo woo cult. (C'mon, I know SOME of you were wondering...)
• Yoga classes are not a place for judgement of any kind.
• Yoga is not just for women.
• Yoga is not just for men. 
• Yoga is not just for people who can afford it. (Which is why Yoga Hive has a scholarship program)
• Yoga is not a religion.
• Yoga is not new-age. (It's been around for a LOOOOONG time... back in the days where things were passed down verbally instead of through YouTube, Facebook and Emojis.)
• Yoga is not for people with a certain body type. 

What yoga is:

• Yoga is moving your body into different shapes, adapted for your body. (So your shapes might look different than your neighbor's shapes—that's the point.)
• Yoga is having a friendly, nonjudgemental, highly trained instructor who's job is to tell you (and show you) how to make said shapes, so you can learn over time.
• Yoga is breathing.
• Yoga is moving while you're breathing.
• Yoga is having a mind that wanders like crazy (yes, for real!) but calms a little bit from 60 minutes of mindful movement.
• Yoga is finding flexibility over time with practice, no matter who you are. (100% Guaranteed!)
• Yoga is for all ages. (Kids yoga, and family yoga!)
• Yoga is meeting new people.
• Yoga is being a part of a community.
• Yoga is adaptable for many injuries with help from your yoga instructor and your doctor.
• Yoga is sleeping better at night.
• Yoga is communicating more rationally with those you love.
• Yoga is taking a pause between stimulus and reaction.
• Yoga is learning to love harder.
• Yoga is learning to dream bigger.

​
...see what I mean? Who can't do those things when we drop all the barriers?