How to progress in your yoga practice?

Starting — or sticking with — an activity as an adult is much harder than it was when we were kids. Why?Because we no longer feel like we’re in a learning phase (or so we think), we’re less tolerant of difficulty, and above all, we want results.

After the initial wave of motivation, we might start to wonder: did I choose the right path? Should I try something else?

We could talk to you about discipline, or the importance of the journey versus the outcome… but the truth is, your questions deserve to be met with some very human insights. So, when do the results actually show up?

How fast can you expect to progress?

Let’s be honest — we don’t all start from the same place. If you’ve practiced dance or martial arts, you’ll likely have an advantage in terms of flexibility. Some people are simply more naturally flexible.

At the beginning, progress often comes quickly. The body feels a bit rusty, and yoga begins to unlock your natural openness — sometimes with delightful surprises.Then comes the real work: developing flexibility, refining technique, and syncing everything with the breath.

Progress in yoga usually happens in plateaus, and this is often where motivation starts to dip.

So, be patient!

Hold the postures to build muscle, tendon, and ligament memory.Repeat balancing poses — it’s through repetition that your brain begins to understand.And focus on alignment, more than the final shape of the pose. It can be tempting to reach for the floor or open the hips at all costs — but this often comes at the expense of the posture’s true essence. Correct alignment ensures optimal benefit from the pose and truly determines your progress.

We can’t promise you’ll be getting your foot behind your head in six months —but you will feel more space and ease in your body.

How often should you practice to progress?

Like with any skill (sport, art, language), the key is consistency.If you want to invest in your yoga practice, ideally attend 2 to 3 classes per week.

Got a job, a personal life, a limited budget?If you can only come once a week, complement your practice at home. Just 10 minutes a day is enough to maintain it. Stretch, especially after workouts. In the morning or evening, take a few deep breaths while lying in bed — that counts too.

Basically: do your “homework” between classes.

If you’re unsure what to practice, ask your teachers for a few asanas tailored to you. The internet is full of free resources — just make sure to respect your limits, especially without hands-on corrections.

What if the body isn’t cooperating?

An injury, arthritis, a frozen shoulder… not being able to do postures you once mastered can really knock the wind out of your sails.But don’t worry — your teachers are there to support and guide you. Let them know what’s going on and ask for modifications.

There is no age or condition required to start or continue practicing.

An advanced yoga practice is simply doing what your body allows.More than a frustration, it’s an act of self-respect. Pushing too far is counterproductive. Yoga is a therapy for body and mind, and it always adapts to the yogi.If a movement isn’t accessible anymore, you can still work the rest of your body.

You may not have mastered your asanas (yet), but when you observe yourself in daily life —don’t you feel a bit lighter?

What happens off the mat?

You’ve probably noticed greater ease in other sports — and even in daily life.Your movements feel smoother, more agile, and simple actions (getting up, squatting, scratching your back…) become easier and more natural.

More often than not, it’s off the mat that you’ll really feel the benefits of yoga.And that’s exactly the point: to feel good in your everyday life.

Even when done partially, asanas bring the opening and strengthening your body needs.

So keep practicing regularly and accept your limits.Your greatest progress is your well-being.

In summary…

Keep your goals!Even though yoga isn’t performance-driven, goals help fuel motivation and perseverance.Finally mastering your inversions — isn’t that joy worth all the practice?

And don’t forget to appreciate how you’ve taken care of yourself after each session —to come back to the present moment. That’s where the true results lie.

Every time you practice, you stretch, release, strengthen, and breathe deeply:you’re doing something good for yourself.

And so, we come full circle —the process itself is what really matters, isn’t it?