YogaLifeMore

Yoga has been around for thousands of years and, with its growing popularity, misconceptions and myths have emerged.

In this post will tackle some common yoga myths and separate facts from fictions.

Myth #1 : Yoga is only for flexible people

Fact: Yoga is for every-body, regardless of flexibility.  Yoga actually helps to create more flexibility and thanks to different techniques, modifications, props and adjustments, everybody can approach yoga and practice yoga.

Yoga it is also much more about stability than flexibility, creating a stable and calm mind is one of the main goals of yoga in the end.

Myth #2 : Yoga is only for relaxation

Fact : Yoga can be very challenging and dynamic too, it also improves strength, balance and focus. Everything evolves and so the Yoga styles and each of them has different types of levels that all coexist under broad umbrella of Yoga (check here for my Blog Post about the different types of Yoga).

Myth # 3 : Yoga is a religion

Fact : Yoga has always been a fundamental part of Hinduism and further on Buddhism yes but, it is not a religion in itself.

Being a physical, mental and spiritual journey, anybody can practice yoga, of any age, religion and system.

It offers a framework for personal growth, self-awareness and physical well-being, which can be practiced regardless of religious beliefs or affiliations. As a result, Yoga may be utilized to feel closer to whatever higher force you believe in.

Myth #4 : You need to be thin and young to practice Yoga

Fact : I am not young, I am over 40s so, I am the right example! Yoga benefits are universal, regardless of age, ability or weight.

Don’t let yourself feel demotivated watching those super skinny, flexible (most probably former dancers) and young yoga “influencer” posting acrobatic yoga postures just to impress their followers or show themselves. That is not the goal of Yoga and, if you are reading my Blog, you realize that it is quite the opposite of it (I am not demonizing a nice yoga sequence or a beautiful asana, just reminding us that Yoga is something else).

Myth #5 : Yoga is a competition

Fact: Yoga is your personal journey. Focus on you own growth and progress, not comparing to others.

I personally appreciated every time I stepped in a new studio of Yoga, for example, and found out that they didn’t have any mirror in it. That can be a good start to help us on focusing on ourselves. Remember, never compare ourself, our body and our progress with anybody else.

Myth # 6 : All Yoga teachers have the same training and anybody can teach yoga

Fact: The problem with current yoga teacher training is that it’s broken down by hours and not all training programs are created equal either. Some have a heavy focus on just the physical postures, while others focus mainly on philosophy. They both can be beneficial and can generate amazing teachers but, I experienced myself different types of trainings and I had different types of teachers and found big differences between them. That’s why I always wanted myself to go deeper on all the aspects of yoga, participating in different types of practices, trainings and workshops.

Myth #7 : Yoga is just stretching

Fact : At first glance, that’s what it might look like but, it’s actually not that at all. Yoga from the physical practice is incredibly functional and therapeutic because it can be very corrective when it comes to muscles dysfunction, addressing balances, improving strength, decreasing tensions, improving alignment and preventing injury down the road.

While you are physically practicing, actually you are also focusing, concentrating, calming your mind and, doing all of this mindfully. That is first the step for meditation, self-awareness, inner peace.

Myth #8 : Props are only for beginners

Fact : Props are encouraged and should be embraced as the amazing tool that they are for beginners and advanced students alike.

Blocks, blankets, straps, even chair or walls: they all are a beautiful support for your body, to find an optimal alignment and to fully benefit from each pose! Use them any time you need.

Let me know in the comments if you are curious to clarify any additional Yoga myth and I will be glad to answer.

By busting those myths, I hope to make yoga more understandable, inviting and accessible to everyone,

Remember, yoga is a journey, not a destination.