A Theory of Yoga

I have a theory about the origins of yoga: it was developed by people in their late 40’s as a response to noticing how it might feel to be in your late 40’s. This elaborate theory follows in its entirety.

It wasn’t an esoteric, austere, way-too-hot-in-the-room, intense, super-exercise routine that some people seem to want to make it. There was no competing with the goddamn show-off two rows in front of you that still has a flexible spine and can actually sit in “easy pose” without falling over backwards and who doesn’t have hip flexors so tight that you could shoot an arrow 1,000 yards with them.

I think its original intent involves gentle stretching, but not in the sense of trying to become super flexible—it’s more about moving your joints through their available range of motion. Just trying to get their back to feel a little better. Just trying to work out the stiffness in their legs. It might be about making sure you can get down on the floor and get back up again.

I think it’s exactly the same thing as getting out of bed and stretching your arms out because it feels good—there’s just a whole bunch of those for all your body parts with cool Sanskrit names. I love yoga best when I’m just letting my body remember how to assume, move through and enjoy a variety of postures.