Excerpt from YOGA FOR THE ANXIOUS ENTREPRENEUR. CHAPTER 2: Yoga as a Keystone Habit

When I began to practice yoga, I came to it purely for the mental health benefits. I had no intention of progressing past simple floor movements and some light stretching. I never imagined I would be able to achieve the gymnastic forms I’d seen displayed in books because I have a condition known as knee valgus.

Simply put, I have knock-knees, but not the type of knock-knees that turn inward only when I do squats, which is the product of bad form. I have actual skeletal knee valgus. This means the bones of my legs are anatomically deformed, making it impossible for me to even bring my feet together. In fact, when I began practicing yoga regularly, I realized I couldn’t get my feet within six inches of each other without my knees overlapping.

I was devastated. I couldn’t perform one of the simplest tasks in asana practice, standing. The reason I tell you this is because I’ve heard many people say, “I’m not built for yoga,” “I’m not flexible,” or “I can’t put my feet together.” Wah, Wah. There are no perfect yoga bodies, just bodies and people who know how to occupy them. The poses are not meant to constrict or reshape you to look like someone else; they’re simply moving you into the proper alignment for your specific body.

You see, what I discovered was that my hips and feet were compensating for my inverted knees. While they still knock, I’ve learned to use the other elements of my skeleton more effectively and I can do some of the most complex poses.

For the next month, I’ll guide you through a conversation with your body. Consider it a family reunion. That being said, don’t expect it to be without bickering. Things long ignored tend to build up some resistance, so there will be arguing and resentment. But if you stick with it, I promise you’ll see harmony. Things will remember how they once worked together to help you climb trees or crawl through blanket forts. There was a time when things worked easier. Let’s get back there together.