Yoga is a practice that anyone can enjoy no matter their size, age or gender. We debunked 9 yoga myths many people believe. Set aside your reservations and get on the mat!
If you had asked me about yoga when I was young, I would have said two things: “It is boring, and it takes way too much time.” Of course, I had only tried it once, and that one time was not in the best environment. When I reached adulthood, I gave it another go, and boy, was I surprised. Yoga was fun! It challenged both my mind and body. As I began to increase my yoga workouts, the myths surrounding yoga began to melt away. You might have a few misconceptions yourself, but here are nine yoga myths that many people wrongly believe.
1. Only Flexible People Can Do It
We have all seen the people who can bend in half while balancing on their arms. It displays extreme strength and flexibility, but it certainly doesn’t show the entire yoga population. You can do yoga if you can’t touch your toes or even if your fingers can only brush your knees.
2. Yoga Is Only for Thin People
Don’t be turned away by stereotypes. Many overweight people have turned to yoga as a way to work out and get on the path to a healthier lifestyle.
3. Yoga Is for Girls
No, it is not! Yoga shows no bias, and you can guarantee that men around the world have integrated yoga into their daily lives to strengthen muscles, increase flexibility, and calm the body.
4. Yoga Is Boring
This is a common misconception, and I once believed it, too. Everyone has different styles and tastes, and yoga has a broad range of workouts to fit exactly what you like. You can do yoga to fast-paced music, in the water, in the air, or out in nature. It definitely is not boring if you go outside the box and find what works for you.
5. Yoga Is for People Who Don’t Work Out Already
I remember talking to a man about yoga and watching his eyes roll up into his head as he proudly explained, “I already lift weights and run. I don’t need yoga.” While exercise of all forms can be incredibly healthy, yoga adds its own special benefits. Many people use it as a way to stretch the muscles to prevent injuries during sports. Others use it as therapy and a way to release stress and tension. You can even practice yoga when your body is recovering from an injury.
6. It Takes Too Much Time
It takes as long as you want. I have a few yoga routines that I go to throughout the week. One is 15 minutes, and it is a quick way to start my day mentally prepared. Instead of relaxing on the couch to some TV, flip to YouTube and browse for a short yoga workout. Change up your priorities and you are guaranteed to always have time for yoga.
7. It Is for Younger People
No way! Yoga is for everybody, no matter their age. I have seen people in their fifties and sixties stretching out and holding poses with perfect posture. I have had yoga teachers in their twenties and forties and have watched videos of teachers in their seventies.
8. Yoga Is Religion
Yoga can be a spiritual experience, but the spirit exists even without religion. It is a way to strengthen the mind, body, and spirit; people of all religious or non-religious beliefs can have these benefits.
9. There Is Only One Type of Yoga
The most popular yoga right now is Vinyasa; the breathing through the positions is a great way to loosen the body and ease pain. Vinyasa is not the only type of yoga, though. Hot yoga takes it up a notch by adding heat to increase sweating and challenge the body. If you want to slow it down, Hatha yoga uses more steady positions and works the mind. There are many variations of yoga, and the best part is that you can try them all.
Don’t let the myths behind yoga scare you away. You might be pleasantly surprised if you give it a try!