Yoga is practiced by millions of people around the world. It has been the subject of countless scientific studies. Even so, there are lingering misconceptions about yoga that even some regular practitioners might be influenced by. Here are the top five common misconceptions about yoga.
You Have to be Young and Flexible to do Yoga
This is probably one of the most common misconceptions about yoga, and when you look at articles or imagery involving yoga, it’s clear to see why. The yoga practitioners are nearly always about twenty years old, slim, and fit. They are often shown in twisting or balancing poses that most newcomers would have great challenges with. Even yoga clothing and supply sites, which should know better, often propagate this exclusive imagery.
Yoga is for everyone. It’s a wonderful help for people in their later years, to help them maintain balance. It’s a healthy way for people who have been inactive to gently, slowly build up their flexibility. It’s fine to start from the very beginning. A supported leg lift. A careful twist in a chair. This, too, is yoga.
Yoga is Only Bodily Postures
Discussion of yoga often focuses on the asana, or specific poses. Phrases like “downward-facing dog” become known to a larger community. But yoga is much more than just resting in plank pose for thirty seconds.
Some styles of yoga focus on movements of the body. Others, on attentive breathing. Some revolve around meditations. Others, around service to the community.
Yoga is Only Stretching and Not as Effective as Other Exercise
There are three categories of exercise we all need to be healthy. Stretching helps maintain properly functioning muscles. Strength training ensures the muscles can handle the work of life. Cardiovascular exercise strengthens the heart and immune system.
It’s clear to most people how well yoga works in the first category – stretching. Many yoga poses are specifically about stretching. Similarly, yoga often involves strength and load-bearing actions. Poses like plank pose help to build strength in the arms and legs.
As for cardiovascular? As we mentioned in the previous section, some forms of yoga involve motion and dance. You can easily build up a strong heart rate and sweat doing those!
Yoga is a Religious Practice
Yoga’s history reaches back over 10,000 years into the pre-written-history of India. Over the years Yoga has been promoted as a healthy way to build balance, flexibility, and strength for Christians, Jews, Buddhists, Hindu, Muslims, and more. Its messages are universal.
Catholics praise the value of meditation. So do Zen Buddhists. Nearly every religion promotes the value of daily exercise and a healthy body. Yoga supports this.
Yoga is Only for Women
This misconception goes along with the ‘young and flexible’ stereotype. In fact, if we’re going to be even more specific, a glance at most yoga sites would seem to indicate only twenty-year-old, super-fit, incredibly-flexible, white, beautiful women with skin-tight clothing are allowed to do yoga. They effortlessly lift into poses while smiling with pearly-white, perfect teeth.
Yoga is for everyone. Every single person. Yoga is for pre-teens and centenarians. Yoga is for Christians, Jews, and Muslims. Yoga is wonderful if you’re bedridden or facing other physical challenges or a fit athlete. Whatever your background, whatever your stage of your journey, there is a style of yoga which can help you reach your potential.
With the near-infinite variety which yoga represents, there is absolutely a style of yoga well suited for where you are in life and where you wish to go.
Repose Yoga in Mount Waverley
At our studio in Mount Waverley, we offer a variety of classes to suit various abilities. Classes are held every day of the week. Read through our description of the class styles, see what would work best for you and make a booking via our introductory offer of unlimited for 10 days.
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