Common Myths About Yoga 

Yoga Studio Calgary • July 24, 2017
Common Myths About Yoga

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.

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