In my years of practicing yoga, I’ve learned one thing that almost all of us have in common…excuses.

We love to make excuses, especially when it comes to trying something disciplined.

I meet a lot of people that tell me they’re in pain every day and that they just don’t have the flexibility they want. When I tell them to try yoga about two thirds of them go, “Woah, yoga? Slow down, I don’t know if I’m ready for that.”

Ready? For what?

Ready to face your fears? Ready to live a longer, leaner and healthier life? Ready to try something you might actually like…no, sorry…love?

For those of you who might still be skeptics, below are 10 good reasons why you should stop making excuses about your health and pull out your yoga mat already:

1. You want to lose weight.

And you don’t think yoga will help? Hello! Have you seen some of the top yogis in the world? And let me tell you, those incredibly lean muscles did not come from sitting on their butts making excuses, they came from yoga.

2. You don’t have to afford Lululemon to practice yoga.

I promise. Most of us really can’t afford it to be honest, but when has a clothing brand ever stopped you from accomplishing your dreams? That’s why man created Target.

3. You don’t have to be flexible to do yoga. In fact, you have to do yoga to be flexible.

4. Yoga fights the winter blues.

Did you know that a spinal twist not only strengthens your back muscles, it also cleanses your organs? Oh, and did you know that rinsing your organs helps keep your immune system healthy? Goodbye expensive antibiotics, hello good health!

5. Yoga invigorates.

Let me guess, you’re a wreck without a cup of coffee every morning. If we were to track your monthly expenses, how much of the pie chart would be dedicated to your Starbucks addiction? Can you imagine what your wallet would look like if you relied on 15 minutes of yoga in the morning instead of a mocha latte? I bet you’d be able to afford those Lululemon pants you’ve always wanted.

6. Elvis did yoga in the 60s. Need I say more?

7. Yoga makes us better in bed.

Did you know yoga can improve your sex life? Not only are you more flexible, you’re more energized. You have increased blood flow (I’m talking to you, gentlemen) and yoga helps elevate your mood. Time to pull out that yoga mat you received for Christmas two years ago and kiss your sex therapist goodbye.

8. Yoga strengthens and sculpts your complete body.

The human body has over 600 muscles. 600! Want to know how you can strengthen all of them? Yep, you guessed it! Yoga.

9. Yoga has a flavor to suit every taste.

You’ve already tried yoga and it just wasn’t for you, am I right? What class did you go to? What style was it?

Well, I’ve got good news for you, there are hundreds of teachers who teach multiple styles of yoga. Need something more mellow? Try some yin yoga. Yoga for emotional healing? I’d recommend Forrest Yoga. How about a cardio workout? A good heated vinyasa flow should get your blood flowing and your heart rate up.

I know, right? So many options and a whole lifetime to explore them all.

10. Yoga is more affordable than you think.

You may have already convinced yourself that yoga is too expensive (and you’re not willing to give up your lattes). Guess what—there’s this amazing thing called online yoga and it can cost as low as $20 a month! Sites like Reflexion Yoga and Yogaglo are full of awesome teachers like me who love to encourage you to stop making excuses and just do yoga.

Giulia is a 10 year yoga practitioner who hopes to teach the world about how to heal themselves through their body and breath. At 25, she’s made it her goal to explore her own spine so that she can teach others how to explore theirs. Giulia currently teaches for Qi Denver and ReflexionYoga.com and would love to teach you to love yoga as much as she does.

 

 

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Assistant Ed: Sara Crolick/Ed: Bryonie Wise