If the idea of being able to'do' yoga appeals to you but your only understanding of yoga has been derived from television or picture books showing flexible practitioners in seemingly impossible positions, you're probably concerned about your level of flexibility and your ability to learn yoga. At the opposite end of the scale you may have read articles promoting yoga as the ideal solution for the overweight and unfit to become nimble and healthy. The two hardly seem to go together!

There are of course yoga practitioners who are highly experienced, have been practising for many years, and are able to assume such impossible looking positions – however, they may not have been so flexible when they started out years earlier. Perhaps some of them were no more flexible than you are now. If your flexibility has waned in recent years, you're not alone. Many of us, particularly those of us who have sedentary jobs, are not as flexible as we should or could be.

There are several different styles of yoga. Some are ideal for beginners with concerns about flexibility, while others may be best left until you gain some confidence in your ability to learn yoga. All styles of yoga have one thing in common, even if their philosophies and approach are a little different – they seek to bring about harmony of mind, body and spirit. Some styles emphasise the more spiritual aspects of yoga practice, like meditation, while others are more focussed on the physical aspects.

Some styles are less demanding physically than others. Hatha yoga consists of gentle stretches and movements and is relatively slow. Postures are simple too, making this style great for yoga beginners. At the same time, it's great for improving flexibility.

Once you've mastered the basic postures, picked up a little more understanding about yoga in general, and improved your flexibility, you may decide to try some of the more demanding styles, or a style with a more spiritual focus – but some Hatha practitioners remain devoted to the style for life. If achieving flexibility is your goal, then there are several suitable yoga styles that will help you to do that without exceptionally strenuous activity or'impossible' postures.

Joining a class specifically designed for beginners can be a great introduction to yoga. You won't feel out of place and nobody will expect you to understand the yoga terminology or be familiar with certain positions. You'll be able to relax and focus on improving your flexibility! Do choose a beginner's class with an experienced instructor who is able to offer you advice and correction, as this will help to ensure you are performing stretches, movements and postures in a safe manner that's likely to be beneficial.

Don't let concerns about flexibility prevent you from taking up the very practice that might make a big difference to how you feel about that!

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