Why yoga is harder for different body types

[@Glim246]

Such an important conversation to keep people from feeling inadequate when they struggle...in yoga....and in life. We all have our own natural strengths and weaknesses and learning to make modifications can give us confidence. Thanks Charlie for reminding us.😊

[@samday6621]

This is why it’s silly to compare yourself to others or be competitive in yoga. It’s about you and your body today.

[@klr301]

This is the first thing my friends say when i tell them to try yoga! So important to know especially for beginners. The discouragement was overwhelming for me (long legs, short short torso) but you taught me that early on and I've been with you ever since! Thank you Charlie ❤

[@tjelanascott3169]

I'm tall with long legs and short torso 😂❤ I get it boo

[@sunberry3447]

i get so much comfort from your videos & shorts. being a student, I didn't really have the mental (and as a result physical) energy to progress my yoga journey for almost a year and a half. i found your videos about a month ago and i seamlessly progressed in to intermediate practices because your flows are just so much fun, thank you!

[@marciarezende3008]

That is why you are my number one yoga instructor 😊 you made me feel “normal.” The previous instructors that I followed were all tall, and they all made me feel awkward on specific postures (not their fault). Being of a similar height as you helped me see that it is possible, with work and persistence, to do any pose. 😊

[@conanblue32]

I was just about to say the same thing! Aside from being a genuinely great teacher, I find that visibly seeing the way Charlie does certain poses as a fellow petite with similar body proportions, it helps me figure out how my own alignment should look like.

[@BookishDark]

I’d really love to see this talked about even more. For instance - weight-related proportional differences. When I was heavier, my thighs were significantly larger (I tend to have more sizable thighs as it is) and child’s pose was not a thing lol my thighs made it impossible to fold over comfort or adequately.

[@novemberchild3002]

Yep, same here! I'm pretty flexible, but my belly gets in the way sometimes 😂

[@catd.1957]

Do you spread your legs open so that your torso and belly are between your legs when you fold into child’s pose? I had an instructor show me this and I always do it this way because it’s so much more comfortable

[@haniellasdiaries]

You just do this Yoga thing so good Charlie. Like it's not just coming to the mat or getting alignment you really talk about the science of yoga and I love you for it

[@gladystan9328]

Thank you for sharing this, so people won't feel certain pose are impossible.

[@user-pz3qz4no8r]

I would add the lotus pose. For some people, even extremely flexible this might be challenging.

[@professordumbledore369]

Thanks for this piece of info. I'm hearing this for the 1st time and never thought of in this angle. I didn't know such a thing called body proportion exists and it has so much to do with getting deeper into each pose. Thanks for enlightening us with this info.

[@mylemonage]

Thank you thank you! ❤ This has really helped me remember to be gracious with myself and not get grumpy when certain postures feel harder.

[@OfficialOlamide]

Omg yes!!! I’ve been doing Pilates for awhile now and there are certain poses where my hip flexers start killing me! I thought it was just a strength thing but I didn’t realize the length of my legs could be the reason! Thank you for this video! I definitely feel a little better about myself haha

[@PaintingClouds]

Yes, thank you for this! I have a short rosso and quite long legs and some poses are quite a struggle for me as a semi-beginner yoga practicer.

[@msbeecee1]

Yesss short torso/long legs is me too...very discouraging when looking at long torso people

[@babaganoush1775]

Charlie this is just GOLD 🌟 ⭐ 🌟 thank you so much for giving hope through compassion and holding space for all

[@virginieclosson-uf5ki]

I love these videos! Your explanations make so much sense and allows one to have a little more compassion on oneself!

[@user-mk1mo5yk4s]

I wish people truly understood this! I learned this some years ago I was studying under an ashtanga yogi and it made my huge impact in my teaching and practice

[@katiewillson7759]

I saw a short of yours once and never caught your name but I loved the message. Today, this popped up on my FYP and I’m taking it as a sign to subscribe and practice 🙏

[@MissGreenTeaLady]

Can confirm, my arms and torso are super long and binding poses are my favorite because they're so dang easy!

[@bigbean3187]

Exactly why i follow you and Kino, we have thebsame body types! ❤🎉

[@paulhenry7886]

This makes so much sense! Thank you

[@erikalam]

I’ve always known body proportions are big considerations but knowing the specifics of why is so helpful! Thank you! I’ve always wondered why I struggle with leg lifts and touching my toes and I now realizing it’s probably due to long legs. I would love to see videos on how to stretch or strengthen the appropriate muscles for these challenges! ❤

[@LaceR.Griffin]

How am I just now realizing that your hair is gloriously thick? GORGEOUS!

[@CharlieFollows]

Thank you for such a lovely compliment 🙏

[@yamamancha]

Wow, this was an immediate like and subscribe for me. Definitely something I have struggled with at 6'3" and particularly long below the knees.

[@ahmadmazaheri8642]

Thank you Charlie for sharing your impressions.

[@arunaslien]

Very important to know this!!! Thank you❤️

[@demifreesoul3958]

Thank you for sharing... I always felt bad for my short limbs not able to reach or do certain poses...

[@FlossontheMill]

This a such an important message. Far too often we feel inadequate for not achieving a pose, when for some of us in reality anotomically we just can't. Which is totally fine. We are all unique. 😊😃🧘🏼‍♀️

[@MsMyleena]

Thank you for putting in words, what I always thought. I'm so grateful for that ❤

[@ixiafernandezsanchez3703]

thank you Charlie from Cuba 🎉

[@anitapatnaik1542]

I really love these videos! They give a lot of insight

[@amandahookham-zr6so]

Brilliant. Thank you for acknowledging this ❤

[@vanshikapandey5778]

Thank you for sharing this piece of information! It was needed ❤

[@cristianapicoito2417]

You're lovely, Charlie ❤ Thank you so much for all that you bring us ❤

[@zoeniko1708]

I've always wondered about this!

[@eg3402]

Breathtaking 💞

[@donnadwarika6370]

So true now know why .Thank you for this.

[@alnxie]

As a long legs short arms T-Rex woman I'm glad I found this video and now understood why it's always so hard to do certain poses

[@sampadakumamekar1126]

Thank u for enlightening us.. used to always think y it is difficult for me to perform some asanas...this answers it

[@verenawebster]

Great video!!! So true.

[@ManUntdForever]

Love this clarification! It was be a little discouraging when a pose seems impossible to achieve. I’d be curious to know what the anatomical advantage/disadvantage is w pigeon pose. I always try to get my front shin parallel w the top of the mat, but doing it that way means I have to use a pillow beneath my front glute.

Use folded blankets under both sides. Make sure you are “plugged in” in your perineum. Swing the front leg over the blankets and prop your armpits on blocks and another for your forehead. That will allow your upper body to relax and help you settle in in your lower body. As you practice more you’ll be able to go deeper. Also nobody said the front shin must be parallel!

[@harmonicaveronica]

My guess would be the shape and width of your pelvis. Maybe the relative thickness of your legs, too? I'm not very practiced at yoga period but have found pigeon pose surprisingly tough! I have very thick legs - both my thighs and calves are naturally muscular, plus I carry most of my surplus body fat in my thighs

[@Ydce1891]

Yessss! Thank you this is so important

[@anamatthews968]

You are a very good communicator!

[@CharlieFollows]

Thank you I really work on my communication skills 🙏

[@vl2809]

THANK YOU. I have such long legs and a super long torso. That affects my center of gravity most of all. I had to learn the hard way that my downward facing dog would have to look differently to be what it should be. But it's really frustrating that not many teachers realise this. That has resulted in my fair share of yoga injuries which is ... Not great

[@hughbo52]

I'm just so impressed by you. Awesome, was wondering why I couldn't do boat...oh, my abs are flabby.

[@rachv6764]

THANK YOU!!! I have thought I’m doing something wrong because some positions are still really hard for me and I’ve been doing Yoga for about 2 years. I have gotten better, but still struggle. This is probably why.

[@laurahodgson6531]

Yes! Exactly this and teachers should be mentioning it in class. I have very long legs and a very short (and wide! ) torso with average length arms. I find things like lotus and dancer very easy but hate half moon and arm balances.

[@Yanuh222]

THANK YOU!

[@user-cy5kk4qi5w]

Thanks for this - a great reminder

[@carolinavale1445]

Que excelente explicação sobre as posturas... adoro os seus vídeos. Abraço de Portugal ❤

[@davidbardes8233]

Body proportions are important, but more important still is skeletal variability. There are some poses that are unavailable to some people because of limited internal or external hip rotation, for example. If there is a pose that you could not have attained when you were 8 years old, likely you will not be available for you as an adult.

[@HouseGirlASMR]

Thankyou so much for this

[@jeffreyyounger5772]

Thank, teacher 🤠🕊️, very interesting! ❤😂🎉😢😮😮😅😅

[@manebarnanita5577]

Thank you for pointing this out! I am an oversized person and simutanosly very flexible so a lott of yoga poses dont challenge me because i dont have space to go deeper in the pose and therfore i dont feel a thing cause i am really flexible.

[@castrolauraand5588]

😮 first person talking about it 🎉🎉🎉🎉

[@raffaellaelisapitteri6252]

Good point.

[@Healingwithzo]

Beautiful explanation

[@Nixie_536]

Blessings 🦋💫ty for all you share 🌼

[@the.yellow.princess]

This is so great!! 💛

[@kurokoru]

Haha yep i struggle with boat for sure but binding is a piece of cake

[@user-om5zp4ys2g]

Thank you ❤

[@TheTehnigga]

Thank you!

[@e.kreitton]

Charlie, your English is perfect 👍🏻

[@BrainError]

I learned this especially when weight training. For example, I do squats differently because of my body type and hyper mobility. Same goes for yoga where I struggle at times because of it. Eventually it should get easier though it you name adjustments so you can do the pose. There's no shame in that 💜

[@clairesouthwell6137]

Ahhh so this is why I can barely manage boat pose! Thank you

[@FortheBudgies]

I have super short arms and it makes supporting myself impossible without props in a lot of poses.

[@liuma_]

Hello Charlie! Thank you for your channel ✨ I was hoping to know the reference of your t-shirt? 🧚🏻‍♀️ Love your work 🫶🏻

[@user-qv3ux1wn5o]

I find seated twists more difficult because I have barely any space between my ribs and my pelvis

[@kamialmeida679]

This is me too! My ribs nearly rub my pelvis just sitting, much less bending!

[@melpanhol]

you're amazing ❤

[@otalactea]

YES!!! this is why i liked your videos at first, i'm 5ft and always thought i did some asanas wrong but turns out i'm just petite, so thank you as always 🩵

[@toddginder5236]

I’m 6’ tall. Some poses are really challenging!

Your body is designed to fit itself. You are proportionate to yourself. For example in warriors or low lunge, you can measure by stepping forward so your knee is in your armpit. That will give you the right distance. Set up the pose with the right measurements and use techniques and you will be able to work toward the strength and mobility for binds or keeping legs straight.

[@liezlgomez5112]

Certainly 💯❤

[@deminoelmorrinwilcox9091]

My anatomy is why I can’t do compass. I’m super flexible and incredibly fit but my hips aren’t shaped in a way that allows for that movement

[@debeightonethree6346]

I’m tall and my body is made of angry gravel so this makes a lot of sense lol

[@fousdevelos4937]

Merci!

[@santisanti8386]

Noticed this long ago. Some things are almost impossible for me to do fully.

[@LukeLunn]

I'm 6 2 and definitely have a tough time with certain poses

[@roxel358]

@CharlieFollows can u recommend any yoga book to read about yoga? U are wonderful, I like ur practices 2 much!!!

[@a12i9]

This is something I have been frustrated about sometimes - I seem to have very different body proportions than you, Charlie 😅

[@sofonda9008]

My torso is longer than my legs. I struggle with the sitting poses when the hands have to be flat on the floor. They just don't reach that far.

[@jeanettewaldvogel4874]

Ohh I know Charlie. Binding poses are sooo hard for me because my arms are simply not long enough to make the hinge to facilitate them. But yes, boat pose I can do in my sleep. My solution - married a guy with opposite proportions and our kids fortunately have proportionally longer legs😃

[@CharlieFollows]

Ahaha this made me laugh so much. That is a great solution 😂

[@Shigusa1337]

I am a Small Person but have long Legs....and its so often that poses challenging me so much just because i have so long legs in propotion the rest xD but since i know it, i can improve better :)

[@marzgirl99]

I can’t bind bc I carry a lot of weight in my thighs and my arms are short. I’ve always felt insecure about it

[@marsha1963]

Before I started doing Pilates (which I’ve been doing for years now) I found it hard to hold this pose. I alternate between Yoga and Pilates. The more Pilates you do the easier certain poses become as the focus is more on core strength.

[@xtinkerbellax3]

Yea, my heels are never going to be on the ground in a yoga squat for example

[@nimertavirdee9615]

I find it really hard to step from down dog into a lunge in one go, I often have to use a hand to help my front leg forward to the correct position, I've always believed this is because my legs are quite short in proportion to my body, I'm a bit like a munchkin cat! Am I right that this makes it harder?

[@rachv6764]

I have to rise on my finger tips to go from down dog to a lunge and I have long legs. I feel like I need that little extra space to position my front foot properly. I always thought that I’m not flexible enough or I’m doing something wrong, it’s probably that my legs are longer than my arms and I need just that little bit more space to get into position.

[@marzgirl99]

Use blocks to give yourself a lift! I have a bigger abdomen so I can’t step through to low lunch in one go without a block.

[@levihan3777]

I have short arms and legs with large boobs. So in a lunge I always need blocks under my hands or my boobs get squashed against my knee and my hands don’t touch the floor. Boobs, any amount of belly fat that makes your stomach pooch out/hang down even when your core is engaged can make certain postures difficult. Also, because I have wide knee bones my feet can never touch when I’m standing with both legs close together in mountain or preparing for chair pose. My calves have also always since childhood been super tight, so my heels can’t touch the floor in upward dog or a deep low squat.

[@originalSiiiN]

yea, i know all about anatomical disadvantages making certain positions more difficult... 😭

[@jamesheath8594]

Thank you Miss Charlie I am 6 ft 1 and I can definitely feel that in boat pose lol you rock miss Charlie ✌️

[@elizabethlloyd3013]

I have SUPER short legs. And a long torso wide shoulders med chest and large biceps. I am the best at arm stands

[@ikmor]

Here's to watching everyone having a good time sitting on their butt, while I have a scrawny ass myself, having to balance for my life, getting a sore tailbone! 🥂

[@kuobah]

I stopped attending yoga at work because I always felt humiliated that I couldn't do certain things and the instructor wouldn't provide me with an alternative...

[@msbeecee1]

Short torso & long legs makes a lot of poses harder 😂

[@iruomachukwujekwu]

Oh my god! I just noticed your height I've always been wondering why I don't have enough room on my mat 😂 and I thought it was just my size that was the issue

[@margaretwhitmer2715]

I can easily do boat and binding poses, but I'm not having a lot of luck with crow.

[@LegitJerome]

I’m 6’4” 255 pounds, I find a lot of poses far into extension extremely difficult and poses that put weight on the wrists instead of the hands are rather painful.

[@wearenotyourkind632]

Yup, i have a big bum and thick thighs and the first pose you showed is difficult for me because my point of balance is more up on my back, but you're not supposed to lean so far back, so yeah.

[@handstandMAN]

Calm. Considerate. Charlie

[@veronicavicuna9645]

Don't forget about the duck tailbone. Mine hurts in the boat posse 😢

[@haannguyen4402]

I’m petite (5’ a half for reference) and mostly leg