Have you ever thought about practicing yoga, do you think you are too fat, too stiff, or too old to start classes? Maybe you are pregnant and would like to participate in a yoga class, but you worry, the class may be too challenging for you. There are many myths and preconceptions about yoga. As a yoga teacher, I get many requests from new students who express their fears and concerns about yoga. This article is designed to help dispel some common misconceptions that I receive. See how many of the following five myths you can identify with.
Five Popular Myths about Yoga
Myth 1: Yoga is reserved for super-bendy-flexible people.
No matter how stiff, rigid, or tense you are, yoga can help you become more flexible and open. Yoga is for everyone. Yoga encourages you to accept your body and treat each yoga class as if it were your first ever class. Some days, your hips may feel tense, on other days, more open and relaxed. It really does not matter how flexible you are. The most important thing is to regularly show-up and practice.
Myth 2: Yoga is yet another hyped-up-new-age-exercise class
Yoga is more than 5,000 years old. Its roots are steeped in the ancient history of the Indus Valley civilization. Yoga is more than “just another exercise class.” Traditionally, yoga has been practiced as a form of spiritual devotion and meditation to enable individuals to experience oneness and unity with the Divine.
Myth 3: Yoga is too hard and not suitable for people over 50 years old
Whatever your age, you can practice yoga. An experienced yoga teacher will be able to adapt poses and exercises to suit your individual needs. There are different styles and yoga schools, ranging from very mild classes to more dynamic lessons.
Many of today’s health problems, for example, digestive disorders, arthritis, and high blood pressure are aggravated by lack of exercise, poor dietary habits, and shallow breathing. Yoga, with its emphasis on healthy living, e.g. eating healthy natural foods, proper breathing, rest, and positive thinking are ideal for the elderly. As they say, “you are as old as you feel.” My oldest student is a 92-year-old woman who practices yoga in her wheelchair.
Myth 4: You have to be a vegetarian to practice yoga.
Many people who practice yoga eat meat and fish. The foods you eat have a major influence on your energy level. As a source of energy, food can drain or energize you. The philosophy of yoga considers life as energy. The food you eat provides energy and serves to repair, strengthen and protect your body from disease.
From the yogic point of view, energy can be seen in three forms: the three gunas-satva, rajas, and tamas. Sattvic foods are pure, natural, and whole foods, e.g. fresh fruits and vegetables, seeds, nuts, and whole-meal foods. These foods nourish the body and promote a calming and harmonizing effect on the body. Rajasian foods are very hot, bitter, sour, or salty foods. They have a stimulating effect on the body and lead you to feel over stimulated and excited; these foods include coffee, strong herbs and spices, and chocolate. Eating too many rajasic foods weakens your inner sense of balance and calm.
Tamasic foods have no energy. They are considered to have no life and killed energy. Foods, such as meat, alcohol, and highly processed foods are considered tamasic. In this perspective, when you practice yoga, you develop a greater sense of inner calm and balance. You become in harmony with your environment and worry about eating more sattvic foods that naturally support you to maintain inner balance and calm.
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Myth 5: Yoga is a religion.
Yoga is multi-faceted. Yoga students come from all walks of life, from their social origins and from their religious denominations. It is a holistic way of living as well as the most diversified spiritual practice in the world. Crossing over many cultures (including Hinduism, Buddhism, Jainism, and Christianity) the practice of yoga, with its emphasis on cultivating inner peace and harmony, can help you strengthen your faith.
If you could identify yourself with any of these myths, I hope this article encourages you to face your fears and sign up for your first yoga class. Let us know if you know other myths or preconceived ideas that others may have about yoga and we will do our best to address your concerns.
