Too Busy, Too Stiff, Too Tired? Why Yoga Is STILL for You

Over the years of teaching, I’ve heard countless reasons why people don’t start yoga—even when they know it could do them a world of good. Here are some of the most common ones.

1. "I can't touch my toes." You don’t need to touch your toes! But maybe that's exactly why you should start yoga? Over time, stretching helps release tension, and you’ll be surprised at what your body can do.

2. "I can't sit still." We start with just five minutes—surely that's doable? And no, you don’t have to sit on the floor. Chairs are absolutely fine. Little by little, you might even start enjoying the stillness.

   
   

3. "I have no time." Yoga doesn’t have to take hours. My morning online class is just 30 minutes, and there are even shorter videos available. The truth is, when you're too busy, that's when you need yoga the most. Skipping it won't magically give you more time—if anything, it helps you use your time better.

   
   

4. "It's too expensive." There are loads of free yoga resources out there. I have plenty of practice videos on my YouTube channel, Yoga with Atsuko, and I run occasional free classes—sign up for my newsletter (below) to stay in the loop! Even in-person classes often cost less than a gym membership, and certainly not much more than the price of a pint in a London pub!

   
   

5. "I'm too old/unfit/fat/etc." Forget what you see on social media! Yoga is for everyone, no matter your age, shape, or fitness level. I’m no spring chicken myself, and my classes are full of people of all ages and backgrounds (yes, including lots of men!). You go at your own pace—there’s no pressure, just a supportive space to move, breathe, and feel good.

   
   

No More Excuses!

Whatever your reason for avoiding yoga, there’s always a way to make it work for you. The hardest part is just starting—but once you do, you might wonder why you didn’t start sooner. So, are you in?