5 Things We Often Explain to People Who Don’t Do Yoga
If you are just a beginner in yoga or even someone who practices yoga often but questions like you having the “perfect yoga body” or you being ‘fit enough’ or ‘flexible enough’ to attempt a certain asana or yoga flow cross your mind, you are not alone. There is a chance you are stipulating all possible outcomes of yoga before actually attempting them. There are certain yoga misconceptions that are very common and that need to be busted. One needs to remember that yoga is made for everyone. It works differently on different bodies, and everyone has their own personal journeys and takeaways from yoga. Yoga is not made up of any one physical posture or a combination of a few asanas. It is a holistic exercise that involves breath, body, and mind connection and stirs mindfulness and presence of mind while you are in the act. Let’s look at 5 yoga myths that we often explain to people who don’t do yoga.
1. Yoga is not a performance
Yoga is a personal journey. It is highly modified and customized to the preferences and requirements of each person's unique body type. Comparison is a definite no when it comes to yoga. Each person is uniquely capable and therefore might have different abilities and disabilities when it comes to any kind of physical movements, including yoga. For instance, spine flexibility could be easily achieved in the first attempt by one person, and it takes a month-long journey of practice and consistency for another. In inversion postures like attaining balance in headstands, it could be absolutely comfortable for one person, but it might be difficult and overwhelming for another. So, yoga is not about giving a certain performance that needs to resonate universally or look similar for all. It’s about finding joy in your practice and listening to your body throughout.
2. Yoga demands consistency
Like any activity or commitment one takes up, Yoga too demands consistency and practice. One might be able to perform a simple asana in a day, even within five minutes of trying it, but it is with consistency that one can master the correct alignment and reap its therapeutic benefits. When yoga is inculcated as a routine activity in everyday life, it becomes a habit. The body not only adapts to the specific time and place of doing yoga, but it also adapts to the postures you are experimenting with. Even in the case of yoga postures, which look challenging at first, they can be easily mastered when done with consistency. Yoga is not a quick fix solution and, therefore, demands consistency and commitment.
3. You don't need to be old/young enough to start yoga
One of the most common misconceptions that stops people from enrolling in yoga courses is that people think they need to be of a certain age or fitness standard to start yoga. Yoga is made for everyone; this is a universal statement, and it is true. One does not need to be young enough to begin yoga, in the assumption that the body is more flexible in youth. Yes, picking up yoga early in life makes the asanas turn out smoothly. But one can attempt yoga even when they are 70. Age is just a number when it comes to yoga. Yoga is made for all body types and all age groups. It welcomes people from all walks of life, regardless of the fact that whether they are a beginner or an expert practitioner.
4. You don't need to be flexible first to start yoga
Another very common yoga myth that needs to be busted is that people think they should be flexible first to start yoga. This is not true, as even though yoga works on flexibility the most, one does not need to be flexible first to begin yoga. People can start practicing yoga to become flexible. Yoga is a holistic process that brings together the mind, body, and breath. When the body is physically not capable of attempting a certain yoga asana, it is the strength of the mind that helps the body to stay in the posture and attempt it with consistency. With regular practice and commitment, one can see their body becoming miraculously flexible. For instance, when one is practicing Chakrasana (the wheel pose), it is not on the first day that their body would allow the spine to curve flexibly. It is only with regular practice and the courage to keep attempting the posture while being gentle with your body that you will bring it to achieve the asana.
5. Yoga won't give instant weight loss or abs
Another misconception regarding yoga is when people see yoga influencers on social media with attractive 6 pack abs or magical weight loss overnight, and expect to gain the same outcomes. When people don’t see similar results in their yoga practice, they get demotivated and drop yoga completely. It is important to understand that yoga evolves with our practice, and instant results are not what yoga is meant for. It's a routine building commitment that requires hitting your mat each day, preferably at the same time. It works externally as well as internally. So you may see improved core strength and good digestion, but to gain desirable abs, you would need to pair yoga with strength training exercises. Doing yoga asanas like Chaturanga dandasana (low plank) can be beneficial in terms of toning the body and building core strength, but not sufficient for gaining 6 pack abs.
Conclusion
It is important to accept our bodies and positively approach the desired change that we want in ourselves. Yoga is not just a fitness regime; it is a way of life. It teaches one to be gentle with their body, be punctual in their routine, and stay committed to the practice. It is only the combination of patience, discipline, and practice that yields results in Yoga. So, whether you are a beginner or even a regular yoga practitioner who comes across such yoga myths, it would be beneficial to join traditional classes of Yoga in Goa India. Courses like the ones offered at AdiYogam are not only taught in the traditional and authentic way, but you would also learn to practically overcome challenges and bust these yoga myths.
