I Can't Do Yoga: Introduction

I grew up in the 1970s and ‘80s—Generation X. My dream life was played out in a perfume commercial, bringing home the bacon, frying it up in a pan, and, of course, being a sexual diva. Mother, career woman, wonderful wife, perfect home. That sums up my dreams up to age 40. Can you relate?
In my 40s, I was slapped with the cold, hard reality that I had failed in almost every category of that dream. I was dissatisfied with life, divorced, and childless. The ideal family didn’t pan out, and I felt alone and inadequate. I was searching for something, but I didn’t even know what. I was studying religion, starting a business, earning a Ph.D., thinking about plastic surgery, and looking for my libido. Are you still with me?
I read about abundance, manifesting, mindful eating, meditation, Buddhism, spiritual hygiene, intuition, the I Am, divination, and Yoga. But how was I going to do all of that when my health was failing and I could barely get out of bed? My physical pain was a mystery, and I couldn’t find answers from doctors.
I saw the pictures in magazine articles and the yoga studio I passed by regularly. I even went to a class or two. When I felt the icy cold demeanor of a 20-something yoga instructor who couldn’t be bothered, I said, “I can’t do yoga.” I’ve tried it, and I don’t want to. I can’t do the poses, fit into yoga pants, or wear a midriff top, and I don’t have time for an hour-long class. That was my life before I found out what real yoga is! My 50s have been a decade of can, full of healing and accomplishments. I’ve discovered so much about the power within me to thrive while navigating life. Throughout this book, I share how I turned can’t into can in many aspects of my life. You’ll learn what can help you do the same!
You’re in the right place if any of my stories sound familiar. Now is your time to learn what yoga is and understand the ancient wisdom that applies to our modern-day life for real women who grew up before cell phones, computers, online dating, and more. You’ll discover what you believe, what motivates you, the power within you, and how to be more satisfied with life. Yoga is more about you than poses. If you’ve ever said, “I can’t,” keep reading!
Let me put my story into more perspective. In 2015, I was stressed out from work, burned out from doing online PhD courses, and barely able to walk. I had a chronic knee injury from high school sports, and I had several surgeries. From all the trauma of trying to get pregnant and probably the emotional baggage that I had carried with me, my hips felt like concrete blocks.
I went to an orthopedic doctor, and he sent me to physical therapy. I was in constant pain, and the physical therapy wasn’t helping. One day at the physical therapy office, I picked up a yoga magazine. At that point, I had rejected yoga. Along with my religious beliefs and what I experienced in a few classes, I said, I can’t do it! But at that point, the pain was telling me to try. I saw an ad in the magazine for an online yoga class subscription. When I got home that day, I went onto the website, and in a last-ditch effort, I decided to sign up.
I started doing yoga in my spare bedroom, and what happened next was unbelievable to me. I tried several types of yoga classes and settled on Yin Yoga with a specific instructor that I preferred. As I was participating in the classes, I didn’t have anybody watching me saying, “No, that’s not the way to do it.” The poses were on a beginner level, so I could relax and focus on my body for the first time in a long time. At the end of each class, we had Shavasana, a time to let your body catch up to the effects. That was when I felt the magic of Yoga happening. Think back to a time in your life when you felt relaxation, joy, and happiness. Maybe you were confident in your actions or felt connected to loved ones or a community. Have you had a time when nothing else mattered? At that moment, did you accept love for yourself? All those things are effects I felt from Yoga, and I’ve spent the last 10 years searching for why and how. After researching, exploring, and practicing, I've discovered more about the magic of Yoga, why it happens, and how to get there. I hope that you’ll be able to find that magic and develop your yoga practice during the practice sessions throughout this book. So, let’s get started!