“I’m Not Flexible Enough for Yoga”(And Other Lies That Keep You Stuck)

Erin Corman
Oct 6
3 min read

Erin C. Corman, Founder of Spark., Master Instructor

Let’s get this out of the way first: saying you’re not flexible enough for yoga is like saying you’re too hungry to eat.

It’s one of the most common things we hear from people who are curious about yoga but haven’t taken the leap. It usually comes out with a nervous laugh, or a look of embarrassment:

“I’d love to try yoga, but I can’t even touch my toes.”

“I’m so stiff—I’d probably pull something.”

“I’d be the worst person in the room.”

At Spark. Yoga + Wellness, we hear these fears all the time. And we’re here to call them out for what they really are: Lies. Stories. Limiting beliefs.

And more importantly—barriers keeping you from a practice that could completely shift how you feel in your body and your life.

Let’s unpack it.

The Flexibility Myth

Somewhere along the way, yoga got rebranded as a sport for the bendy.

Blame it on Instagram. Blame it on Lululemon. But somewhere, the message got twisted from “Yoga is for everyone” to “Yoga is for people who can already do it well.”

That’s not just untrue—it’s backwards.

Yoga isn’t something you have to be good at to start. It’s something you practice—over time, at your own pace, in your own body. You don’t need to be flexible to do yoga. You do yoga to become more flexible—physically, yes, but also mentally, emotionally, and energetically.

Here’s the Truth: Yoga is for Stiff People

If your body feels tight, achy, hunched over, or tense—you are exactly who yoga was made for. You don’t have to fold in half to feel better. You don’t have to know the poses to receive the benefits.

In fact, some of our most dedicated students came to us not being able to sit cross-legged without discomfort—and now they move through life with more ease, more confidence, and far less pain.

We teach yoga in a way that works for real people. People with tight hamstrings, old injuries, desk jobs, parenting fatigue, stress-filled lives, and no previous experience. We meet you exactly where you are—and we help you move from stuck to supported, step by step.

What’s Actually Required to Start Yoga?

Not much.

A body (any shape, any size, any ability level)
A willingness to try
Clothes you can move in
That’s it.

You don’t need a fancy mat. You don’t need to know Sanskrit. You don’t need to have perfect balance or flawless form. You don’t even need to touch your toes.

You just need to show up—and we’ll take care of the rest.

Let’s Talk About the Real Benefits

When people do start yoga (even just once a week), here’s what they notice:

✅ Fewer aches and pains

✅ Improved posture and mobility

✅ A sense of calm that lingers long after class

✅ Better sleep

✅ Less anxiety

✅ More energy

✅ A deeper relationship with their body—not as something to fight against, but as something to support

And no, none of this requires flexibility. It requires commitment, breath, and a supportive space to grow.

But What If I’m the Least Flexible Person in the Room?

Here’s the secret: everybody thinks that at first.

And truthfully? No one is watching you. Everyone is focused on their own breath, their own pose, their own experience. That’s the beauty of yoga—it's a personal practice done in community. There’s no score.

No competition. No perfection.

And especially at Spark., we create a space where judgment gets left at the door. Our instructors are trained to offer multiple options and support all levels. We don’t expect you to fit the pose. We help the pose fit you.

Still on the Fence? Read This.

If you’ve been saying things like:

“I’m not in shape enough to do yoga.”
“I’m too old / too stiff / too nervous to go.”
“I need to do some stretching before I try a class.”

You’re not alone. But those thoughts? They’re not facts. They’re fear disguised as logic. And we’ve seen people just like you break through that fear and change the way they feel in their bodies—and in their lives.

All it takes is one class.

Ready to Start Where You Are?

We’d love to welcome you to Spark. Yoga + Wellness. Our approach is grounded in function, not form. We prioritize stability, then strength, and lastly flexibility—not just for how you move on the mat, but for how you live off it.

We offer beginner-friendly classes, experienced instructors, and a community that knows growth starts with showing up—not with being perfect.

🧘‍♀️ Try our Intro Offer: Two Weeks Unlimited for $39