There are a lot of preconceived notions, and misconceptions about yoga. It’s too expensive, it’s a religion, you have to be a human pretzel… The list goes on. So, since “Mythbusters” has officially ended, it’s now up to us to bust these five yoga myths.

 

YOGA MYTH #1 Yoga is not a workout

FACT: Whoever said this has obviously never practiced with us! There are many different types of yoga spanning various levels of difficulty, but at Yogis On The Go we practice Vinyasa. We love that it focuses on both relaxation and physical challenge. While most types of yoga won’t burn as many calories as running or biking, yoga offers other important aspects of fitness that cardiovascular activities don’t. If you’re looking to break a sweat and get your heart pumping, look no further than us!

 

YOGA MYTH #2: Yoga is a religion

FACT: Though yoga began with strong ties to Hinduism, yoga can be anything you want it to be! If you choose to make it a personally spiritual practice, that is completely up to you! However, today in America, yoga tends to be largely secular with yogis focusing on the physical aspects of yoga.

 

YOGA MYTH #3: You have to be flexible to do yoga

FACT: We hear it all the time: “I can’t do yoga because I’m not flexible” but this simply isn’t true! You don’t need to be able to touch your toes to benefit from a yoga class, and while yoga may improve your flexibility over time, there are so many other benefits to gain!

 

YOGA MYTH #4: Yoga is a lifestyle

FACT: Don’t let the fact that you’re not quite willing to adopt a vegan diet or begin a daily meditation ritual keep you from doing yoga. As we said before, yoga can be whatever you choose it to be! If that means taking an hour once a week to refocus your mind, or sacrificing all of your material possessions, the goal of yoga is to make you more mindful, whatever that may mean to you.

 

YOGA MYTH #5: Yoga is an exclusive club

FACT: Oftentimes, what stops individuals from trying yoga is because they see it as exclusive – designed for young women (more on this in a future blog!), or human pretzels, athletes or the spiritual. But, as we’ve stated before, yoga is for everyone! Being “exclusive” goes against the very nature of what yoga is. At its core, yoga has a message of compassion, awareness and acceptance – a message of inclusivity. So, regardless of your gender, age, current level of flexibility or fitness or relationship with spirituality yoga is for you!

 

Myth’s Busted! For more information on how you can start your yoga regime today, visit our sessions page!