If I started doing yoga now in my twenties
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The twenties often seem like the most free time of the year. In reality, however, it is often one of the most overloaded periods of life. We are surrounded by so many stimuli, expectations and decisions, while we are still learning who we really are. In this constant movement, it is no wonder that the body and nervous system sometimes get tired - even if we do not always notice it.
If I were to start yoga now at this age, I wouldn't do it to "look better" or "accomplish more." I would start it to have a point in my day where I don't have to react, prove, or progress. A place where I can reconnect with my body and where I don't have to be anything other than who I am.
Why is it hard to start yoga in your twenties?
Many people at this age don't get started because they feel like they have to "do it right" from the start. It's enough to be flexible, follow the pace, know which style is "right for me." This is accompanied by constant comparison - through social media, classes, pictures. Yoga can easily become another expectation, instead of a sustainable practice.
Yet in your twenties, the greatest gift yoga can give you is not physical form, but rediscovering your body's sensations. Learning when you're overexerting yourself, when you're exhausted, and when you need to stop.
Where do I really start?
If I were to start doing yoga now, I wouldn't choose a style, but a time frame. 10–15 minutes a day that I don't want to "max out". A practice that doesn't get me excited, but helps me slow down my thoughts. An evening time when the day's events are winding down and I don't have to rush anywhere.
My initial practice would be slow and grounding rather than dynamic. A few simple movements, a lot of attention to my breathing, and enough space to notice what's happening inside me. Not hours, not challenges – but regularity.
A short, balancing ritual for your twenties
At this age, the primary purpose of the ritual is to calm the nervous system. Due to the constant online presence, stimuli, and decisions, it is often not the body that gets tired, but the attention.
A simple ritual might look like this: a few minutes of quiet arrival, no phones, no expectations. This could be followed by 8-10 minutes of slow, breath-based movement that focuses on the spine, hips, and shoulders. Finally, a few minutes of quiet time—lying or sitting—where we don’t “do anything,” but just let the sun set.
Spirituality down to earth
In our twenties, spirituality often seems too distant or too “mystical.” But you don’t have to learn mantras or engage in long meditations. Spirituality here means learning to pay attention. When we are tired, when we are exposed to too much stimulation, and when we need to retreat.
A simple intention, such as “I will give myself this much today,” can mean much more than any elaborate practice. This kind of presence helps yoga to blend naturally into your daily routine.
The role of yoga at this age
Yoga in your twenties is not about fixing, but about preventing. It helps us to notice overload in time, before it becomes physical or mental symptoms. You don't have to practice every day, and you don't always have to do the same thing. The most important thing is that practice doesn't become another area of achievement.
If I were to start practicing yoga now, I would choose something that is sustainable in the long term. Something that doesn't drain my energy, but helps me come back to myself - again and again.
Ayuna mini ritual – for your twenties
Turn off your notifications and sit comfortably. Take three slow breaths, then gently move your spine in a few slow movements. Finally, lie down for a minute and notice how it feels to do nothing. This is also practice.
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