Common Myths About Yoga
- By Yoga Studio Calgary
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- 24 Jul, 2017
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So there’s this thing called yoga. You are giving it a try. Your friends, maybe even your
doctor have suggested you should give it a go. Maybe you have yet to join a class.
Whatever it is, I am sure thoughts and ideas are swirling around in your head about
what is and what isn’t yoga.
1) Yoga is a class you go to……wrong (ish).
Well it’s not wrong, you do go to yoga
classes. However, yoga is much more than going to a class….much more! Once you
open up to yoga it becomes part of your whole life. Yoga is involved in how you move,
what you say, how you respond/react to things or events. Yoga becomes involved in all
of the choices you make…..in a very good way. Yoga is the entire package! It will alter
your internal sense, leading to a meaningful and mindful life.
2) You don’t have to go to class, there’s yoga sessions on YouTube
Yes, there are.
There are loads more benefits from going to a class with a teacher though. Doing yoga
on your own (with a video or a book) can potentially lead to damaging your body and
your mind. You have zero connection to the teacher through the screen. She/he cannot
read your body language and offer cues or help. She/he cannot answer your specific
and unique questions. She/he has zero awareness of your goals and how to help you
progress. There is zero energy exchange, a key factor to a good yoga practice. Find a
good teacher and your practice will flourish from day one.
3) Yoga is all about challenging postures
While there are some wonderfully
challenging postures (asanas) that you can incorporate into your practice, they are
simply a fraction of what goes on, and only if you want to practice them. Yoga teaches
you to listen to and honour your body and mind. You begin to grow awareness of many
times you can bring yoga into your life. We bend so we do not break….and that means
our minds more so than our bodies. There are many forms of yoga you can practice. You
should be exploring the different forms and finding one that match your goals.
Inhale: 1-2-3-4-5. Exhale: 1-2-3-4-5. If you’ve been doing breathing exercises to feel calmer, happier, and more focused, you know how soothing yoga is.
Despite being an ancient practice, yoga has become increasingly popular, and for good reason. It is suitable for people of all ages and effective for treating chronic conditions.
Interestingly, scientists have discovered that this practice has several mental health benefits. Let’s explore the relationship between yoga and well-being, as well as the evidence-based benefits of yoga.
Winter is here, it is that time of the year again when waking up early and practicing yoga becomes a difficult task and mostly ends up compromising it for an hour of extra sleep. But there are lesser-known facts about why we should practice yoga during winters and how it benefits us.
Spring is nature’s rebirth. Every year, when the soft green buds and the delicate pink blossoms appear on the cherry trees, we are given the opportunity to renew ourselves. In our yoga practice, this can be through a physical detox, a mental reboot or both.
So, it’s THAT time of year again. The cards are out, flowers and chocolates in the shops, and the candlelit tables are all booked up weeks in advance. With good reason, many of us find it all rather superficial and insincere. Perhaps some of us might join the cynical chorus asking why we need a specific day to express our affection for someone else. We may even go as far as to accuse the the forces of capitalism of driving demand for “stuff”. But I’m not here to monologue on the meaningfulness of St. Valentine’s Day, and I’m certainly not here to criticise anyone for wanting to express themselves or to show affection for someone else (we all need to be doing this more, not less).
Can yoga reduce anxiety?Yes! Many studies have demonstrated the effectiveness of yoga in reducing stress, anxiety, and depression. In one study, women who participated in a three-month yoga program experienced significant improvements in perceived stress, anxiety, and depression. In another study, ten weeks of yoga helped reduce stress and anxiety for participants.
Happy New Year yogis! I’ve often found this time of year to be especially powerful in enhancing my yoga practice. Of course, yoga is always a powerful practice, but the gift of the new year brings deep reflection and introspection that can amplify processes of self-inquiry, expanding our spiritual awareness and commitment to yogic living.
