In my teaching, I meet people every day who say they can't do yoga because they're not flexible, or their mind is scattered, or they don't have good balance, etc. etc. My response is always the same: people don't do yoga because they've already mastered these things; they do yoga to practise and become more adept at them. Not flexible? Perfect! Yoga will help. Your mind runs a million miles per minute? Great! Yoga will help with that, too.
Not only are inflexibility and poor focus not reasons to avoid yoga, neither should age deter you. If you are a yoga beginner and an older adult or have limited mobility, it's important to choose a yoga class and teacher with experience working with these populations. Anybody and everybody can do yoga; with a supportive teacher and the appropriate pose modifications, the practice can be adapted for the individual so that every experience is positive and uplifting.
Yoga is more than an exercise regime; it is an ancient philosophy of living that benefits both mind and body. The practice is made up of physical poses (called asanas), breathing techniques (pranayama), meditation and a variety of ethical precepts that offer ways to live a fuller life. Yoga offers myriad benefits including strengthening and toning the body, calming and relaxing the mind and bringing balance to an otherwise hectic modern lifestyle.
How-to: Three Part Yogic Breath
In any yoga practice, the method of breathing used is a key, foundational concept. There are many types of yoga breathing, but the first and most important is called the Three Part Yogic Breath. In this breath practice a full, deep, diaphragmatic breath is achieved. This calms the nervous system, relaxes the mind and creates a deep, mind-body connection.

Now move your hands up so the heels of your palms are resting on the sides of the low rib cage and your middle fingers are touching. Keep the belly stable as you move the breath up into the space of the rib cage. As you inhale, the rib cage will expand in all directions: front, back and into both sides. Your hands will move up and apart. On your exhalation, let the rib cage soften back to a resting position, hands moving down and together. Take five deep breaths like this, in and out through the nose if possible.
Finally, move your hands up so the fingertips rest on your collarbones. Keep the belly and ribs in a neutral position as you breathe into the upper lungs and upper chest. Your hands will move up and apart on the inhale, down and together on the exhale. Take five breaths here, knowing that these breaths in the upper chest may feel more shallow and constricted than in the belly and ribs. Don't force the breath; breathe slowly.
Now you are ready to practice the full Three Part Yogic Breath. In your comfortable seated or supine position, rest your arms by your sides. Breathe in through the nose. You should feel your belly rise first, then the rib cage expand and finally the collarbones lift and separate. As you exhale the chest softens down, ribs move back to neutral and the belly draws back towards the spine. Take five to 10 breaths like this, increasing the number of breaths as you feel more comfortable with the practice.
At first this may feel very challenging and you may not easily feel the distinction of each of the three parts. Most often people breathe into the upper chest, creating a rapid, shallow breath. The belly and rib components may take more time to develop. Remain calm and comfortable at all times, never forcing the breath. Keep an inward focus as you breathe, focusing your attention on the sensation of the breath.
How to: Tree Pose
Tree Pose (or Vrksasana, as it's called in yoga class) is a challenging, yet attainable pose to develop muscular legs, open hips, a balanced mind, a strong will and determination. The process of losing balance in this pose teaches us to try, try and try again without judgment or irritation.

How to: Seated Spinal Twist
Using the support of a chair, this spinal twist encourages mobility in the spine, strengthens the back muscles and massages the abdominal organs, which assists in healthy bodily functions (including digestion).

The twist should never be forceful, but rather a natural extension of your deep breathing as though the body moves on the wave of the breath. If you feel tension or pinching in the pose, release it and try again with a more gentle approach. Always balance your practice by doing the pose equally on each side.