Let’s clear something up: yoga isn’t just for people who can twist themselves into pretzels or enjoy burning incense in their living room. You don’t need to chant or hum (unless you want to). From a physiotherapist’s point of view, yoga is simply a fantastic way to build strength, improve mobility, and move with more control – and that’s something most of us could do with. If you’re unsure whether yoga is the right fit for you, you can always chat to one of our physiotherapists first – we’ll help you find the right approach for your body. Call us on 02 9838 3030.
Yoga is often thought of as stretching, but it’s far more than that. It blends controlled movement with breathing and balance. Sound familiar? That’s because it shares a lot of ground with physiotherapy. In fact, many of the principles we use in rehab – posture, joint range, muscle control, and breath awareness – are echoed in a typical yoga class.
You do not have to be flexible to start. In fact, if you’re stiff, tight, or recovering from an injury, yoga might be exactly what you need. These days, there are classes for beginners, older adults, people with arthritis, the chair-bound, post-natal mums – the list goes on. Yoga is for everybody – and for every body.
Here’s why we often recommend it:
- It encourages spinal mobility, which helps counteract the modern desk lifestyle.
- It promotes deep, controlled breathing, which supports your nervous system and may help reduce pain sensitivity.
- It builds strength through range – especially in areas we commonly see as problematic, like the hips, shoulders and trunk.
Yoga is low-impact and endlessly adaptable. Can’t kneel? There’s a workaround. Trouble with balance? Use a wall or a chair. The best teachers will offer alternatives, and nobody expects you to get everything right the first time. Or even the second time. That’s part of the fun.
If you’ve had a recent injury or long-standing issue, chat to your physiotherapist (us!) before you begin. We can help you choose the right class, or suggest postures to avoid at first. But if you’re otherwise fit to try it – go for it. You don’t need special gear or years of experience. Just a willingness to try something new and a sense of humour when your hamstrings protest.
So no, you don’t have to be bendy. You don’t have to love herbal tea. And you certainly don’t need to burn incense. But you might just walk out of that first yoga class feeling a little taller, a little calmer – and wondering why you didn’t start sooner.
Still not sure. Call 02 9838 3030 to speak to one of our physiotherapists at Philip Wood Physiotherapy – we’d love to help you get started. And don’t forget to follow us on social media for more movement tips and ideas.