I am often asked how much of flexibility is natural and how much of it is gained by yoga, stretching and exercise. I wish I could provide a definite percentage, but in truth, it is very individualized. Your "natural flexibility", is determined by the different proteins that make up your body. Collagen is a protein that is like a rope. Elastin is another that is more like a rubber band. Different tissues in your body have different ratios of collagen to elastin making them stiffer or stretchier, and different people will likely have different ratios overall as well. Depending on your mix, you could be more of a rope or more of a rubber band. Rubber bands are stretchier, obviously. Also, some individuals can have conditions that actually affect the proper production of collagen in their bodies making them naturally super stretchy.