World of Wellness
Follow Me:

Sheila's Blog

  • Home
  • About Me
  • Keto Blog
  • Blog
  • Products
    • Aloe Vera
  • Yoga
    • Yoga Classes
    • Yoga Q&A
  • Meditation
    • Meditation Sessions
    • Meditation Q&A
  • Ayurveda
    • Ayurveda Program
    • Ayurveda Q&A
  • Relaxation
    • More about Relaxation
    • Relaxation Training
  • Training Programmes
    • Chopra Centre Programs
    • Retreat
    • Relaxation Training Programme
    • Ayurveda Lifestyle Programme
  • Contact Me

Some Yoga Myths Dispelled

18/4/2017

0 Comments

 
Picture
Some Yoga Myths Dispelled - Adam Brady

Yoga is popular these days. Very popular. According to a recent Yoga Journal survey, over 20 million Americans practice yoga on a regular basis, up from 15.8 million in 2004. Yoga practice has clearly found its stride and is attracting more followers every day. Yet, while many people are reaping the benefits of yoga, there are countless others who are unfortunately scared off due to ill-founded myths and misconceptions about what yoga is. Like any other popular activity, yoga can fall victim to stereotyping and sweeping generalisations if you’re unwilling to look below the surface to really experience the essence of the practice. Once you dig a little deeper, however, you soon discover a simple and profound truth: yoga is for everyone.

The following are some of the most popular myths and misconceptions surrounding yoga and its practice. If you are a yogi, perhaps you once held one or more of these mistaken beliefs before experience changed your mind. If you’re new to yoga or sitting on the fence and unsure about taking the plunge, explore these myths and see if they may be holding you back from finding your place on the mat.

Myth 1: Yoga Is Just About Stretching
While on the surface, yoga may appear to be a simple stretching or calisthenic routine, it is far, far more. The yoga poses or asanas that most people associate with stretching only make up a small portion of a very thoroughgoing philosophy, science, and way of life. The word yoga means union—the union of body, mind, spirit, breath, and environment. It forms an all-inclusive and comprehensive worldview.

The vast storehouse of Vedic and yogic thought comprises a body of knowledge that espouses yoga as a complete and total path of liberation. The classical eight limbs of yoga enumerated by the great yogic sage Patanjali include rules for:
  1. Social behavior
  2. Personal observances
  3. Mind-body integration exercises
  4. Breathing techniques
  5. Focusing of the senses
  6. Mastery of attention and intention
  7. Meditation
  8. Experience of pure awareness

Myth 2: Yoga Is Only for Women
There’s no doubt that yoga is more popular with women than men. Most yoga classes have far more female than male participants. However, this wasn’t always the case. In the records of time, yoga was traditionally practised almost exclusively by men in ancient India. With its arrival in the West however, yoga began to draw a large female following. Regardless, yoga is not a gender-specific activity. Men and women alike can practice and benefit from a regular yoga practice.

Myth 3: You Have to Be Flexible and in Shape to Practice Yoga
Many potential yogis get scared off from yoga practice by images of very flexible or fit yogis gracing the covers of magazines or website articles. They see someone in an asana and mistakenly assume that flexibility and strength are prerequisites for the practice. In actuality, flexibility and fitness come as byproducts of yoga, not as requirements.

While it’s true that yoga poses can build strength, flexibility, and balance, you can practice yoga without having those skills or attributes and still receive all the wonderful mind and body benefits. Yoga is for every body, no matter what body you bring to the practice. Tall or short, thick or thin, young or old, yoga is meant to adapt to you, not the other way around.

Myth 4: You Need Fancy Clothing and Mat to Practice Yoga
The popularity of yoga worldwide has created a unique and unexpected offshoot–yoga gear. Entire companies now exist to provide yogis with specialised clothing, mats, gear bags, and sweat towels. While these add-ons can be nice, they are in no way required to practice yoga. Consider that the ancient yogis once performed yoga on beds of leaves in a forest wearing nothing but loincloths. Although you don’t need to be that minimal in your practice, it’s important to remember that yoga is an “inward stroke”—taking your awareness within.

External appearances like that flashy new mat or those trendy new yoga pants exist on the material-level of your awareness, while the actual practice of yoga coaxes you to go deeper. Yoga can be practised in whatever feels comfortable for you, with or without a mat, with just a few feet of empty space in which to move.

Myth 5: Yoga Is a Religion
Because of its ancient Indian roots and ties to Hinduism, yoga often gets misidentified as a religion. However, it is actually much more like a science (In India, yoga is often thought of as a science of Self-Realisation). As such, yoga practice is likened to a laboratory in which you are both the subject and the object of your experiment, the goal of which is to awaken your own inner potential and the divinity within.

The archetypal concepts sometimes invoked through mantras, chants, or images of a specific deity are meant to awaken the dormant potential of those states of consciousness that reside within you. But those practices are not required to benefit from yoga practice, nor does their use carry a religious connotation. Yoga is not about outer worship; it’s about inner exploration.

Myth 6: Yoga Is Too Easy
Those who look at yoga through a purely physical lens may think it’s too gentle or mild to be of any benefit. The “No Pain, No Gain” mentality so common in the modern fitness culture paints a picture of results based on hard work and struggle. While yoga, especially restorative yoga practices such as The Seven Spiritual Laws of Yoga, can focus on doing less to accomplish more, it doesn’t mean that yoga is easy or passive.

The mind-body coordination required during yoga practice is unlike many other forms of exercise because your full attention is engaged and present in each movement. Unlike running on a treadmill while watching television, yoga engages all aspects of your being, making it more challenging than it may appear on the surface. Yoga unifies your:
  • Mind
  • Body
  • Emotions
  • Senses
  • Breathing
  • Environment

Myth 7: Yoga Is Too Hard

At the opposite end of the spectrum are those who shy away from yoga because they fear it will be too difficult. Fearing that their bodies “don’t go that way,” many will opt out of yoga and miss out on its countless benefits. Granted, some yoga poses can seem intimidating, but the beautiful thing about the practice is that it meets you where you are. The idea is not to force yourself into a yoga pose – it’s about adapting the pose to fit your body where it is today.

There are always alternatives to any given pose. Yoga encourages you to listen to your body’s signals of comfort and discomfort, and choose those poses that feel best for you. Then, as you become more comfortable with yourself in the practice, you can explore more challenging poses, and often, to your surprise, they end up being easier to attain than you once believed.

Myth 8: Yoga Will Make You Self-Conscious
Performing any new activity with people you don’t know can stir up self-doubt and self-consciousness, but potential yogis shouldn’t fear this. Remember that yoga is about deepening the conversation between your mind and body–it’s a personal journey. Worrying about what others think keeps your awareness stuck at the level of the ego and personality.

Yoga is about being fully present and aware of who you are in the moment. The practice encourages genuine authenticity and self-acceptance. The more you begin to accept yourself in the practice, the sooner you’ll notice a deeper bond forming between you and your fellow classmates. Everyone is a wave on the vast ocean of Spirit. Yoga allows you to express yourself with openness, kindness, and self-love.

Myth 9: Your Physical Condition Prevents You from Practicing Yoga
While there are some contraindications for doing yoga, it is on the whole a very accessible practice that nearly anyone, at any age or condition can practice. Once again, it’s important to think of yoga as malleable to your life and who you are. Take what you need, and allow yoga to give you its gifts.

There are numerous styles of yoga, each with a unique focus or interpretation of these ageless teachings, so if one yoga school or class doesn’t work for you, try another until you find the right fit. In addition, consider chair yoga or the use of yoga props such as blocks or straps to aid you in your practice. If you can’t go to a class, try a DVD or online video. The options are countless if you’re willing to try.

Myth 10: Yoga Is Just a Fad
Although yoga may appear to be just another trendy exercise program that will be replaced by the next gimmick to hit the scene, it’s actually far from being a new thing, and it’s not likely to fade out of popularity anytime soon. Yoga has been around for thousands of years. While modern books, classes, videos, and workshops are relatively new methods of communicating its timeless teachings, yoga has been an established and proven means to integrate all the layers of life and awaken human potential for countless generations.

The persistence of yoga’s appeal is quite simple—it works. Whether in the laboratory of scientific research on mind-body and consciousness research or in the subjective framework of an individual’s life, yoga has stood the test of time and will continue to do so.
​

Spend some time reflecting on these myths. If one or more of these misconceptions has been holding you back from trying yoga, embrace the truth behind them and fear no more. Hop off that fence and step onto the mat. You won’t be sorry.


0 Comments



Leave a Reply.

    Archives

    April 2018
    March 2018
    February 2018
    January 2018
    December 2017
    November 2017
    September 2017
    August 2017
    July 2017
    June 2017
    May 2017
    April 2017
    March 2017
    February 2017
    January 2017
    December 2016
    November 2016
    October 2016
    June 2016

    RSS Feed

    Categories

    All
    8 Limbs Of Yoga
    Abundance
    Acceptance
    Accountability
    Active
    Acupuncture
    Adapt
    Affirmations
    Ageing
    Aging
    Airport Stress
    Alcohol
    Alcoholism
    Alisa Paliano
    Allergies
    Altar
    Anti-inflammation Foods
    Anxiety
    Appreciation
    Archetypes
    Archetypes Of Survival
    Aromatherapy
    Around-the-table Meals
    Art
    Asparagus
    Autumn Eating
    Awareness
    Awe
    Ayurveda
    Ayurveda For Dogs
    Ayurvedic Wisdom
    Bacteria
    Balance
    BBQ Sauce
    Beliefs
    Belly Bloat
    BItterness
    Bloating
    Blueberry Smoothie
    Body And Mind
    Body Mind And Soul
    Boundaries
    Brassica
    Breakdown
    Breakthrough
    Breathing
    Broccoli Cheese Soup
    Brown Fat
    Busy World
    Butternut Squash Soup
    Cabbage
    Calm
    Calories
    Camel's Pose
    Cancer
    Cancer Prevention
    Caregiving
    Carrot Ginger Soup
    Centering Thought
    Chakra
    Chakra Clearing
    Change
    Children
    Child's Pose
    Chlorophyll
    Chocolate Coconut Smoothie
    Christmas
    Christmas Stress
    Circadian Rhythm
    Cleanse
    Coconut
    Coconut Oil
    Coffee
    Coherent Heart
    Colourful Food
    Commuting
    Compassion
    Compassion Meditation
    Confrontation
    Connection
    Consciousness
    Cooking With Tea
    Cook Nourishing Food
    Cook Your Own Food
    Cook Your Own Meals
    Cream Of Broccoli Soup
    Creativity
    Crisis
    Cultivate Spirituality
    Daily Rituals
    Dan Buettner
    Dating
    Debate
    Declutter
    Deconditioning
    Deepak Chopra
    Dehydration
    Depression
    Desire
    Detachment
    Detox
    Dharma
    Diet
    Diet Myth
    Digestion
    Digestive Distress
    Distractions
    Divine Couples
    DIY Sunscreen
    Dogs
    Dosha
    Doshas
    Doubt
    Dreams
    Eating
    Echinacea
    Eggs
    Embrace Helplessness
    Emotional Baggage
    Emotional Health
    Emotions
    Empath
    Empathy
    Equinox
    Essential Oils
    Excuses
    Exercise
    Express Love
    Extra Weight
    Eye Care
    Faith
    Fear
    Feelings
    Feeling Stuck
    Feminine Energy
    Fibre
    Fight Colds
    Financial Success
    First Aid
    Fitness
    Flow
    Flu
    Food
    Foot Massage
    Forgievness
    Forgiveness
    Free Your Energy
    Fresh Start
    Gardening
    Getting Back On Track
    Gift
    Gifting
    Gifts
    Gifts That Give Back
    Ginger Shiitake Noodle Soup
    Ginger Tea
    Giving
    Giving And Receiving
    Goal
    Goals
    God
    Good Fats
    Grace
    Gratitude
    Green Beans With Almonds
    Green Goddess Smoothie
    Green Leafy Vegetables
    Green Powder
    Greens
    Green Vegetables
    Grounding
    Growth
    Gut Health
    Gut Instinct
    Habits
    Happiness
    Healing
    Healing Effects Of Art
    Healing With Sound
    Healing Yoga And Meditation
    Health
    Healthy Eating
    Healthy Fasting
    Healthy Food While Travelling
    Healthy Genes
    Healthy Habits
    Healthy Holiday Desserts
    Healthy Iced Fruit Bars
    Healthy Options
    Heart Chakra
    Heart Disease
    Heart Intelligence
    Heavy Thoughts
    Herbs
    Herbs Hands Healing
    Holding Space
    Holiday
    Holiday Gifts
    Holiday Season
    Holiday Stressors
    Homeopathy
    Humour
    Hydration
    IBS
    Ideas
    Immune System
    Imperfection
    Infinite Possibilities
    Inflamation
    Inner Change
    Inner Child
    Inner Healing
    Inner Peace
    Inner Voice
    Inner World
    Inspiration
    Intention
    Intentions
    Intuition
    Jen Miller
    Jenn Miller
    Jill Davies
    Joint Care
    Journal
    Journalling
    Joy
    Judgement
    Juicing
    Kapha
    Karma
    Katie Pande
    Keep Warm
    Kindness
    Kitchen
    Kleshas
    Kombucha
    Leaky Gut
    Learning From Your Dog
    Life Coach
    Life Expectation
    Life Purpose
    Lifestyle
    Lissa Coffey
    Lists
    Loneliness
    Loss
    Love
    Low Lunge
    Lung Problems
    Lymphatic System
    Madisyn Taylor
    Male And Female Energy
    Manifestation
    Mantra
    Massage
    Meal Planning
    Meal Preparation
    Meaningful Connections
    Meat-free Meals
    Meditation
    Meditation Techniques For Beginners
    Mediterranean Diet
    Mental Baggage
    Mental Health
    Mental Stamina
    Mindful Dating
    Mindful Eating
    Mindfulness
    Mindset
    Minerals
    Minestrone Soup
    Mint
    Moderation
    Mood
    Morning Habits
    Morning Person
    Morning Routine
    Morning Routines
    Motivation
    Moving Forward
    Mudra
    Mullein
    Mushrooms
    Music Therapy
    Natural Allergy Relief
    Natural Remedies
    Natural Skincare
    Natural Sunscreen
    Natural Sweeteners
    Nature
    Negative Behvaiour
    Negative Thoughts
    Neighbours
    Nestmaven
    Neti Pot
    New Year
    New Year's Resolutions
    Non-resitance
    Nutrients In Greens
    Nutrition
    Oneness
    Opportunity
    Organic Food Shopping
    Osteoporosis
    Outdoors
    Outer World
    Pain
    Passion
    Patanjali
    Pattern Interrupt
    Peace
    Perfection
    Petitation
    Pets
    Phtyonutrients
    Piriformis Syndrome
    Pitta Dosha
    Planning
    Plant Foods
    Poetry
    Portion Control
    Positive Habits
    Potato Leek Soup
    Poverty
    Power
    Practical
    Prayer
    Present Moment
    Present Moment Awareness
    Presents
    Priorities
    Probiotics
    Prosperity
    Prostitute
    Protecting Your Skin
    Pure Awareness
    Purpose
    Quiet Time
    Quotes To Start The Day
    Rain
    Ray Long
    Recipes
    Reclining Heart Opener
    Regrets
    Reiki
    Relationship
    Relationships
    Relationship With Food
    Resolutions
    Resting Pose
    Retreat
    Ritual
    Rituals
    Roger Gabriel
    Routine
    Rudolf Tanzi
    Saboteur
    SAD
    Salads
    Samyama
    Seated Forward Bend
    Secret To Living Longer
    Sedentary
    Seeds
    Self-awareness
    Self Care
    Self-Care
    Self Compassion
    Self-compassion
    Self-Enlightenment
    Self Worth
    Service
    Setting Intentions
    Shakshuka
    Shatavari
    Simplify Space
    Six Tastes
    Sleep
    Slow Down
    Smile
    Smoothie
    Social Life
    Social Media
    Soma
    Soul Questions
    Soup
    Soup For Cold Days
    Soups
    Spicy Vegetable Chilli
    Spirituality
    Spiritual Success
    Spiritual Wellbeing
    Spring
    Spring Allergies
    Spring Cleaning
    Spritual Connection
    Square One
    Standing Forward Fold
    Standing Mountain Pose
    Statins
    Staying Focused
    Stress
    Success
    Suffering
    Suhas Kshirsagar
    Summer
    Summer Archetypal Energy
    Summer Smoothies
    Sun
    Super Foods
    Susan Pinker
    Susan Weed
    Susun Weed
    Sweet Potato Casserole With Caramelised Bananas
    Sympathy
    Take Charge
    Talents
    Tea
    Tea As A Spice
    Thanksgiving
    The Blues
    The Five Elements
    The Law Of Karma
    Therapeutic Breast Massage
    The Seven Spiritual Laws Of Success
    The Whole Cur
    Thinking Patterns
    To Do List
    To-Do List
    Tolerance
    Tough Times
    Traditions
    Tragedy
    Transform Your Life
    Transition
    Travel
    True Self
    Trust
    Trust Your Gut
    Uncertainty
    Universe
    US Election
    Vacation
    Values
    Vata
    Vedanta
    Vegan Soup
    Vibrant
    Vibrant Health
    Victim
    Vision Board
    Visualisation
    Vitamin D
    Vitamins
    Weather The Storm
    Weight Control
    Weight Loss Myth
    Weight Management
    White Bean Chilli
    White Fat
    Who Am I
    Wholeness
    Will Power
    Wine
    Winter
    Winter Activities
    Winter Blues
    Winter Hibernation
    Winter Solstice
    Wisdom
    Wise Woman
    Woman
    Worry
    Yin And Yang
    Yoga
    Yoga Anywhere
    Yoga For Sniffles
    Yoga For Stress
    Yoga For Summer
    Yoga Sutra
    Yogic Eye Exercises

Proudly powered by Weebly