5 Yoga Myths We Need To Bust
Not flexible enough, not strong enough, and not having a thin, able-body are all reasons why newbies shy away from the practice of yoga. Any yoga teacher will tell you that these factors have nothing to do with the actual practice of though. Today, I’m going to tell you why. Here are five yoga myths that need to be busted!
I’m Not Flexible Enough For Yoga
I hear this all the time and I can’t help but laugh. Flexibility is a byproduct of the physical practice, not an initial requirement. When I came to yoga I was far more strong than flexible. In fact, when I started my teacher training I couldn’t even touch my toes – and guess what? I still became a teacher!
Yoga is not about flexibility or how well you can perform a posture. It’s about unifying your body, mind, and spirit. In order to do this, you need to meet yourself where you’re at. One of the most beautiful aspects of the yoga practice is its ability to be personalized to the practitioner. There are tons of variations, postures, and stepping stones to help you move into deeper expressions of postures overtime.
With practice, your body will start to open, and your mobility will increase. But just like you can’t get rich overnight, you can’t become flexible after one yoga class. Be patient, focus on your breath, and enjoy the journey.
I’m Not Strong Enough to Practice Yoga
Most people are surprised at the amount of strength it takes to practice certain yoga postures. Even the seemingly simple postures require a great deal of focus and engagement. Still, not all yoga postures are practiced the same.
Actually, there are a variety of ways to approach the postural practice of yoga. Some of these styles are more strength based than others. If you’re looking for a passive yoga practice, try restorative or yin yoga. Both of these practices are incredibly grounding and soft.
Most people don’t start off strong in yoga. The engagements of the yoga postures are subtle and ask you to engage muscles deep within your body. You might have never consciously accessed these muscles before. Even if you are athletic or strong, chances are your body will take time to adjust to the new style of movement. Like flexibility, strength is a byproduct of the physical practice, and it will be built over time.
I Don’t Have a Skinny Yoga Body
Yoga does not require you to be any shape, size, or ability other than what you already are. Yoga is first and foremost a spiritual practice. In fact, the more you practice the deeper aspects of yoga, the more loving and accepting of yourself you will become. Sadly, modern marketing of yoga can make it seem as though you have to be thin and athletic to practice. This is simply unture, yoga is an incredibly accessible practice for all body types. If you’re looking for a little inspiration, here are some of my favorite online yogis that challenge the perception of the illusive “yoga bod,” and can motivate you to make it to your mat.
Body Positive Yogis
Jessamyn Stanley – Jessamyn is a writer, podcast host, and founder of The Underbelly Yoga. Jessamyn is all about creating diverse, accessible yoga rooted in self acceptance. She is outspoken, down to earth, and funny, providing a fresh perspective on the modern day yoga practice. You can sign up to take Jessamyn’s virtual classes at The Underbelly Yoga.
Arpita Roy – Arpita is a yoga instructor, public speaker, and amputee. Arpita shares her personal practice and journey as an amputee on her social media accounts. Her dedication to her practice and her desire knowledge of the phyiscal practice is inspiring. Follow Aripta on Instagram and check out her current trainings and offers!
I Have to be a Vegetarian/Vegan
False. Don’t let anyone tell you that you have to follow a certain diet in order to practice yoga. As you know, yoga derives from India. India has the largest population of Vegetarians due to its religious roots. This makes it easy to assume that adopting a vegetarian diet is needed when practicing yoga.
Another large factor that plays into this myth is the practice of ahmisa, the first Yama, or moral discipline of the yoga practice. Ahimsa refers to non-harming in thought word and deed. To adopt a vegetarian or vegan diet means you are living out ahimsa. At least, that’s the intention. Here’s the catch, every person’s body is different and requires a unique combination of nutrients in order to function properly. Some people thrive on a plant based diet, while others seem to lack energy and luster. Even if you eat all the healthy veggies, take all the supplements, and find new sources of protein, it might not be enough for your body.
If you are eating a plant based diet under the guise of ahimsa, check in. Ask yourself how you feel physically, mentally and emotionally. If you notice that your energy levels are low since going vegetarian, and you’re lacking strength and motivation, maybe your body needs animal protein to function at its most optimal level. If it does, then are you really practicing ahimsa if your non harming of animals harms you instead?
The practice of ahimsa, and the Indian culture far exceeds vegetarianism. While it might seem counterintuitive to yoga practitioners, taking care of yourself first is a great act of ahimsa. Its and overplayed phrase but it’s so true – you cannot pour from an empty cup.
I Cannot Practice Yoga Because I’m Already Religious
While yoga derives from a culture with a deep history in religious context, the practice of yoga itself is not a religious practice. Yoga is a spiritual practice, not a religion. Religion is about you and your relationship with your God or Deities, it’s based in faith of a higher power. Spirituality is about your relationship to yourself and the world around you. Spirituality is more individualized and less structured than religion. However, there are aspects of spirituality within religion and vice versa. It is because of its deep cultural roots that yoga has many teachings and concepts that derive from Hinduism. However, yoga does not require you to practice Hinduism or any other religion for that matter.
These 5 myths are some of the most common myths I hear about the practice of yoga. They’re also huge reasons why beginners shy away from the practice. Don’t let these thoughts trick you, yoga is an incredibly accessible practice that can be adopted into any lifestyle!
