What People Think About Yoga Changes After Trying It

It's a good idea to learn the truth of the matter before you get started, or in case a misunderstanding has been stopping you from getting into it in the first place. The main reason is that many of these myths have led to misconceptions that make the practice seem far less approachable than it actually is.

The truth is that, despite what you might think about yoga, it’s actually a highly accessible practice. Its benefits are well documented in medical journals and can be recorded in physical and mental health tests. Moreover, it’s available to essentially everyone. As you’ll see in the list of common myths below, you don’t need to be a contortionist to get full benefits from your practice. In fact, there are variations available to you even if you need to practice while sitting on a chair.

Dispelling the Myths from What You Think About Yoga

The following are some of the most common yoga myths that have stopped people from giving it a try.

Yoga requires flexibility

This is the most common misunderstanding about yoga, and it is the largest barrier that exists to adoption of the practice. Yoga isn't about flexibility at all. It is about being mentally, physically and spiritually present in the here and now. Even without flexibility, it can be practiced.

That said, over time, it can promote flexibility. The gentle stretches, when practiced regularly, can help you to improve your flexibility and balance, reducing your risk of trips and falls while also making activity more comfortable for you overall.

The purpose of yoga is to learn strange poses

Yoga is much less about performing poses than most people actually think. Though there are many poses that can be practiced, their purpose is to help practitioners to learn the balance between ease and effort. Through them, we learn about the continual evolution of life and accepting change as it happens so that a more accepting and peaceful mindset can be achieved. It’s possible to complete a yoga practice with a handful of poses demanding little more than lying flat on the floor or sitting in a gentle twist.

Yoga is a religion

While yoga can have a spiritual component, it can be practiced no matter what religious beliefs a person does or does not have. Absolutely no faith requirements exist for practicing yoga.

You must be slim and fit to practice

Yoga is open to every person with every physical appearance and fitness level. A central component of practicing yoga is self-acceptance. This means that all body types and genders can take part. It’s available to every age and fitness level. In fact, many people use it to help them recover from certain injuries or to prevent them from happening in the first place when certain mobility struggles are present.

It will make you act like a new-age stereotype

Just because sitcom yoga instructors talk about peace and love and wear bohemian clothing, it doesn't mean this is a reflection of reality. Every instructor is different, and no one is expecting you to change who you are. You won't need to become ultra-vegan, you don’t need to start taking the best supplement for energy, and you don't need to start speaking of mysticism, energy flow or free spirits. You just need to be present in the here and now.