
The morning sun peeked through my curtains, and the first thought that crossed my sleepy mind was âToday might be the day.â I rolled out of bed with a deep stretch, feeling that familiar mix of excitement and nervousness. My yoga mat waited for me in the corner of the room like an old friend, ready for another round of determination, sweat, and maybeâjust maybeâa breakthrough.
Today, I was going to try again. After months of effort, it was time to see if I could finally do the full split.
The Beginning of the Journey
When I first started practicing yoga, I didnât think much about splits. I was more focused on relaxing, stretching my back, and maybe getting a little flexible along the way. But one day, during a class, I saw another student slide smoothly into a perfect split, calm and graceful like it was the easiest thing in the world. My jaw dropped.
âHow is that even possible?â I whispered to myself.
That moment planted a seed in my mind. I wanted to feel that same grace, that same strength and control. It wasnât just about looking flexibleâit was about conquering something that seemed impossible for me.
From that day, the split became my goal. My mission. My obsession.
The Early Days: Pain and Persistence

The first few attempts were⌠brutal. My hamstrings felt like guitar strings pulled too tight, my hips screamed, and my knees begged for mercy. Iâd lower myself inch by inch, only to stop halfway, trembling, before collapsing backward with a groan.
It wasnât pretty.
Some days, I felt like I was making progressâmaybe an inch closer to the floor. Other days, my body felt stiff, stubborn, and resistant. It was a roller coaster of frustration and hope.
But every yoga video, every teacher, every little voice of wisdom said the same thing: âConsistency is key.â
So I kept going.
Every morning before breakfast, and every evening before bed, I stretched. I did lunges, pigeon poses, forward folds, and butterfly stretches. I learned to respect my bodyâs limits but also to gently push them.
And slowly⌠something started to change.
The Progress
I remember the first day I noticed a real difference. I was halfway through my stretching routine when I felt my front leg slide forward a little farther than usual. My hips sank closer to the floor, and instead of pain, I felt a deep, satisfying stretch.
I froze for a moment, unsure if it was real.
Then I laughedâloud, happy laughter that filled the room. It wasnât a full split yet, but it was proof that my hard work was paying off.
From then on, I became more focused than ever. I started warming up properly, using yoga blocks for support, and breathing through each pose instead of fighting against the tension. I learned that the split wasnât just a physical movementâit was a mental battle, too.
You canât rush it. You have to trust the process, surrender to the discomfort, and keep believing that one day, your body will open up.
Today: The Test

And now, here I wasâon my mat, ready to see if all those months of practice had finally paid off.
I started with my usual warm-up. A few sun salutations to wake up my muscles, then deep lunges to open the hips. I took my time with each pose, feeling my body loosen with every breath.
Sweat began to form on my forehead, but it wasnât just from effortâit was from excitement. My heart raced with anticipation.
Finally, it was time.
I got into position: one leg forward, the other stretched back. My hands rested on the mat for support. I inhaled deeply and began to slide my legs apart.
The familiar stretch filled my thighs and hips, but this time it felt⌠different. There was still tension, yes, but less resistance. My body felt ready.
I lowered a little more.
Then a little more.
My front heel stayed firm, my back toes pointed. I could feel my hips hovering just above the ground. My breath was slow, steady, calm.
Could it be?
The Breakthrough
One final inhale⌠and as I exhaled, I let go.
My body melted downward, and suddenlyâsoftlyâmy hips touched the mat.
For a moment, I couldnât move. I didnât even believe it. I blinked at my reflection in the mirror, wide-eyed, barely breathing.
Then it hit me.
I had done it.
I was in a full split.
A burst of laughter and joy escaped my lips. I wanted to scream, to dance, to cry all at once. My months of effort, my sore muscles, my doubtsâall of it had led to this moment.
âYES!â I shouted, grinning from ear to ear.
The best part wasnât even the split itselfâit was the feeling of victory, the quiet pride that came from knowing I hadnât given up.
After the Win

I stayed in the split for a few breaths, feeling the stretch but also the peace that came with it. When I finally eased out of the pose, I lay flat on my mat, staring at the ceiling, smiling like a fool.
My body was tired, but my heart felt lighter than ever.
I thought about how many times Iâd nearly quit. How many evenings Iâd sat there, sore and disappointed, thinking it wasnât worth it. But every single time, Iâd told myself, âJust try again tomorrow.â
And thatâs what made all the difference.
More Than a Pose
Lying there, I realized something beautifulâthe split wasnât just a yoga pose. It was a lesson in patience, in believing in yourself even when progress feels invisible.
It taught me that growth is quiet, gradual, and often happens when youâre not looking.
It taught me to love my body for what it can do, not what it canât.
And most importantly, it reminded me that perseverance will always lead somewhereâmaybe not where you expect, but somewhere beautiful nonetheless.
A Message to Anyone Trying

If youâre out there working on your own goalâwhether itâs a yoga pose, a dream, or a challenge youâve been scared to faceâremember this: progress is never linear. Some days youâll fly, other days youâll crawl. But every step matters.
Every time you show up, even when itâs hard, youâre getting closer.
I used to think flexibility was about stretching muscles. Now I know itâs about stretching patience, courage, and belief.
The Promise
As the sun set and the golden light filled my room, I rolled up my mat with a satisfied sigh. I knew Iâd continue practicingânot because I needed to prove anything anymore, but because yoga had become part of who I am.
I whispered quietly to myself, âYou did it.â
Then, smiling, I added, âBut this is just the beginning.â
Tomorrow, Iâll be back on the mat againâstretching, breathing, growing. Not chasing perfection, but embracing the beautiful journey that got me here.
Because in the end, yoga isnât about touching the floor.
Itâs about touching your heart. đ
