10 Everyday Myths About Yoga

Nearly two billion people practice yoga worldwide which signifies how powerful it is.

At the same time, there are big stereotypes that our society has towards yoga. This mainly has reference to people who have not yet accepted yoga or I should say, these misconceptions have kept them away.

Let me dispel some common myths about yoga today. You’ll soon discover that yoga is for everyone.

1. Only agile and flexible can perform yoga

Many people get scared from yoga by seeing the images of very flexible or fit yogis gracing the covers of magazines or website articles.

Seeing these, they assume that flexibility and strength are prerequisites for yoga. The truth, however, is, flexibility and fitness are byproducts of yoga.

Although it does help to accomplish certain complex yoga poses if you have a combination of strength, balance, and flexibility. However, you can practice it even if you aren’t so agile.

Start with mild asanas that don’t require too much of stretching. In course, you’ll realize you are game for even the stiffest of poses.

2. Yoga burns a hole in your pocket – it’s too expensive

Yoga instructors are easily available these days. They don’t charge much either.

There are yoga studios that offer special rates and introductory packages for new members. So, if you are on tight budget, this can help.

Opt for trial classes. These are usually complimentary.  Another way to save is to enrol only for weekends. Now I don’t mean that you do yoga only for a few days in a week. Get the list of asanas, frequency and time intervals from your instructor. Follow these on rest of the days.

If this doesn’t work either, resort to online classes, YouTube videos or yoga DVDs. Not only these are free but save you on time. Best for working professionals.

3. Yoga is for women

It’s true that the female ratio is higher than men in yoga classes but that has more to do with the extra time women generally have. Housewives for instance.

Thousand years ago, yoga was traditionally started by men. With its arrival in the west, yoga began to get more female followers.

Both men and women can equally benefit from yoga. In fact, modern day men are increasingly taking time to do yoga without fail.

4. Yoga is an act of religion

Yoga is often misidentified as an act of religion due to its ancient Indian roots and ties to Hinduism. It’s actually a science of self-realization and inner exploration. Outer worship has nothing to do with it.

The goal behind practicing yoga is to awaken your inner potential and power. Unlike stimulating your potential state of consciousness through mantras, chants and images of a deity, yoga does it via practising peaceful asanas.

Spirituality is one of the pillars of yoga. It promotes being kind and compassionate to yourself and others.

5. Yoga is like regular exercising

Yoga is more than just stretching or callisthenics routine. The asanas or the yoga poses that most people associate with stretching is only a small part of a thorough philosophy, science, and way of life.

The word yoga is defined as the union of body, mind, spirit, breath, and environment. It forms an all-inclusive and comprehensive worldview.

There are many types of yoga. If you want a more vigorous experience, try a power or ashtanga class. Power yog, on the other hand, builds strength, improves your heart rate and burns needless calories.

The ancient vedic and yogic thought give directions on how yoga is a complete and total path of liberation. The great yogic sage Patanjali enumerates the following classical eight limbs of yoga:

• Social behavior
• Personal observances
• Mind-body integration exercises
• Breathing techniques
• Focusing on the senses
• Mastery of attention and intention
• Meditation
• Experience of pure awareness

6. Yoga is time-consuming

This is another common myth. Not all yoga routines require 60 to 90 minutes of dedicated sessions.

Even 20 minutes of yoga can increase your brain function by improving its focus, speeding up information processing and improving memory.

Include 20-25 minutes of daily yoga in your routine, it’s beneficial enough.

7. Yoga is only for the young

No. Yoga is for everyone.

It’s true that complex asanas are more performed by young people but it doesn’t mean that there’s nothing for teens and seniors.

As you age, you need a balance of mind and emotions for optimum functioning of the body. Yoga is perfect for the old.

People suffering from injuries and joint issues can try gentle poses. Yoga is equally as effective as exercising. For example, lower back pain that requires regular stretching can be treated with everyday yoga. Just that it requires a little caution to start with.

You can attend private classes if you have a physical limitation and essentially need the assistance of a helper.

8. Yoga is not for people with chronic pain

Yoga is great for recovery from chronic pain or injuries.

Inform your teacher beforehand about your medical condition so that he can train you accordingly and keep a vigil.

Yoga can cause to heal chronic pains in no time literally.

9. There is only one kind of yoga

There are scores of yoga styles from incredibly athletic to intense and spiritual options.

For losing belly fat, you can try Cobra pose. To improve sleep, Hero’s pose is the best. For alleviating chronic pain, check out inversion poses. Not to forget the Fish pose, which is great for improving memory.

Power yoga is more strengthening and cardiovascular. These are just a few of many yoga styles. Basically, there is a yoga pose for everything.

In fact, yoga helps in treating numerous other medical conditions. Obesity for example, which is reportedly impacting 38% of adults in America today, has a great solution in yoga. Kapalbhati and Bhasrika work wonders in dealing with it.

You can start with easy asanas to begin with. Once you get comfortable, trying switching to more complex ones. Keep improving from thereon.

Basically, identify the ones that work for you.

10. Yoga is for the lean

Scroll through the social media feeds and you’ll see intimidating and alienating photos of fitness models practicing yoga every morning.

In fact, everyone is strong and healthy but in myopia of social media, the perspective gets fuzzy.

To practice yoga, you do not have to be thin. Rather you have to be strong, mentally strong. If you are willing to try and encourage yourself towards healthy habits, yoga is for you.

Before joining a regular yoga class, take a beginner’s class or workshop and learn gradually.

As the saying goes, “Keep your face to the sunshine and you won’t see a shadow”, look at the people who have been doing yoga for ages. 1 or 2 can be wrong, not the entire chunk.

You only see what you want to see. Nothing else!

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