7 Myths About Yoga Busted

Western Science is beginning to find evidence and catch up to what Eastern philosophy has known for a long time. The more control we have over our minds, the more power we have in our lives. Yoga really can change your brain and your mindset. There are a few components that make Yoga what it is– physical posture, stretching, breathing exercises, and relaxation techniques, i.e., working the body to affect our global functioning.

This blend of physical and mental exercises is widely believed to have a unique set of health advantages – such as improving strength and flexibility, boosting heart and lung function, and enhancing psychological well-being. However, its unique combination of activities makes it difficult to determine which component is producing a specific health benefit. Yoga practice enables people to manage their stress response system which is one of the major reasons why a lot of people promote it. Yoga has had a chance to prove itself over tens of thousands of years and over time, but a lot of people need to have that belief in Yoga.

Yoga Myths

Today, we’re here to break down all your myths, concerns, worries, and anything bad you might have heard about yoga. The myths about yoga are so widespread that you need to thoroughly understand which is true and which is not. Let’s bust some yoga myths!

1. Flexibility is not a Necessity

The biggest myth about yoga practice and yoga culture is that you must be flexible to even begin thinking about getting into it. This couldn’t be further from the truth. There are a lot of yoga practitioners and instructors who started with zero flexibility – they couldn’t even touch their toes or grab their feet from behind. The whole point of yoga is it is a journey. You have to build to get where you want to be.

Sometimes your body might be stronger and not as flexible, but yoga is made for all levels. So, if you keep practicing yoga regularly and incorporate it into your daily routine, you will surely become very flexible over time. It is important to keep in mind that you will not be the best at anything immediately – it takes time and practice.

2. There are so Many Different Types of Yoga

So many people tend not to pursue yoga because they might have tried it once and decided that it was not their cup of tea. If you’ve been to a yoga class and disliked it, we’re here to tell you that there are so many different types of yoga that you could try. There are about 12 different types. There are fast, slow, beginners, and difficult levels of yoga. Do your research on all the different types. The most popular right now is Vinyasa Flow but there’s also restorative, ashtanga, etc. So, whatever you like to do, there probably is a suitable type of yoga for you. Don’t let this yoga myth get to you.

3. Yoga is not Only About Postures

Another myth about yoga is that it involves only asanas or postures. As we’ve mentioned before, it has various physical and mental components. It is a journey that begins with the physical body and then slowly transforms into a mental process. Along with asanas, there are a variety of cleansing techniques, breathing exercises, physical postures, meditation, and the like.

Myths About Yoga

4. Yoga is not a Religious Practice

Yoga is a spiritual journey. But simply, it is a mechanism to cope with stress, among others. It has no religious connotation and people must not shy away from it based on this myth about yoga. This religious tag is one of the most commonly misunderstood aspects of yoga. You can simply think about it as a scientific way of healing your body and mind. We can all agree that we all need a little help irrespective of the religion we follow, right? That is what yoga gives us – an escape of sorts.

5. Yoga can Replace your Workout

It is common for people to think that yoga cannot be an appropriate substitute for your normal workout routine. But they couldn’t be farther from the truth if they tried. Attend a yoga class and see for yourself. A yoga session requires some level of physical strength. In addition to that, yoga engages your core and other muscles quite intensely. In a way, it also requires a high level of concentration which means your mind will also be at work. Any yoga class will leave you dripping with sweat just like your workout would have.

6. Difficulty and Effectiveness don’t go Hand in Hand

Every kind of asana or meditative practice has its benefit. You do not need to necessarily work hard to reap all the benefits. Trust no Instagram page that pushes this toxic attitude on you – it is not only the hard ones that make your body better. Every pose in yoga will teach you something or the other. Mindfulness and a sense of discipline are the hardest to conquer – but that is what yoga teaches us. Instead of focusing on the benefits, keep looking at your progress. This yoga myth might be the most harmful, but we promise you that is not the case.

7. Pregnancy does not Change your Ability to Practice Yoga

Another common myth about yoga is that pregnant women should run far away from it. It is common knowledge that women are under a lot of stress during their pregnancy. Yoga is beneficial to every cell in your body and helps in relaxing the body systems – especially your mind during pregnancy. If you practice under an experienced yoga teacher, you will be good to go. There are a lot of breathing techniques or exercises that have been created just for pregnant women to ease their body pains and everything else. So, no – pregnancy will not change anything if you’re an avid yoga lover.

So please don’t shy away from this beautiful art form. Hope we busted these yoga myths well enough to make you understand that it is for anyone and everyone!