Yoga Myths
busted
MYTH 1:
You need to be flexible to do yoga
Just as you don’t need to speak French to start French lessons, you don’t need to be flexible to do yoga. Yoga is not about forcing yourself into unobtainable poses, it’s about mindfully moving with you breath and discovering the flexibility that is available within your body. You might discover you are more flexible than you thought!
MYTH 2:
Yoga is just for women, not men
When you come to a yoga class, you probably will find that the majority of the practitioners are female. Originally yoga was only taught to men for many generations. Yoga is for everybody, however you identify.
MYTH 3:
You have to be young to do yoga
I often hear people say ‘I am too old for yoga’. Yoga can be beneficial for everyone, whatever you age, you just need to find the right class for you. A regular yoga practice, moving your body mindfully with the breath, will help to retain the mobility you have.
MYTH 4:
Yoga is just stretching
Yoga does involve stretching and lengthening muscles, gaining flexibility and mobility. You also build strength and endurance in the body and mind as you hold the asanas or postures. You move your body raising your heartbeat while maintaining a connection with your breath, retraining your nervous system.
MYTH 5:
All yoga classes are the same
In fact the opposite is true. Every yoga instructor teaches differently, we all have our own personal interpretation of how to lead practice. We are all unique. It’s all about finding the right class for you, for where you are at this point in time. If you don’t enjoy a class, try a different teacher or a different style. Just as our taste in music differs according time, place and mood, a yoga class resonate with different people at different times.