Misconceptions about yoga are quite common & they hold people back from stepping on the mat to experience the magic of the practice. These misconceptions also hold back beginners from developing their practice & seasoned practitioners from deepening their practice / sadhana.
Let me share a few common statements that I have heard people make in a casual conversation about Yoga -
"I can't touch my toes, yoga isn't for me" ,
"It's too slow & I don't have the time to just stretch and breathe for 1 hour" ,
"My wife does yoga. It's not for regular men like us, we go to the gym."
"So cool that you practice yoga...why be a human when you can be a pretzel, hahahaha!"
...and these are just a few that I have heard.
Let's get to the truth behind the practice. Here are 5 myths about Yoga Asana that you should stop believing, right now.
Myth #1: You need to be flexible to do yoga.
"I can't touch my toes, yoga isn't for me."
Fact: Yoga isn't about touching your toes, or your knee to your nose; it is truly about what you learn about your mind & body as a part of that journey.
The asana practice is a process of mindful physical movement where the focus is first on the breath and then on the state of the asana. It is also an attitude of self-acceptance and being present in the moment while focusing on the 'how' than the 'what' of the asana. Flexibility is a by-product of a regular, consistent asana practice while using the breath as a tool to relax the muscles & build heat in the body through the combination of breath & movement. Over a period of time, the body becomes more supple and flexible.
Myth #2: It's just stretching and breathing.
"It's too slow & I don't have the time to just stretch and breathe for 1 hour"
Fact: This is what it might look like in the first glance, but it is way more than just that. When practiced under the guidance of a qualified and experienced teacher, the asana practice is therapeutic and meditative. It can improve the body's alignment & functionality at the physical (musculoskeletal) & physiological (internal organs) level. While this does not replace medical attention, a combination of regular asana, pranayama & meditation has proven beneficial to treat psychosomatic stress and improve mental & emotional well-being. Yoga helps you develop patience and find a sense of clarity, thus giving you more time by making you more productive.
Myth #3: Yoga is for women & Babas/Sadhus.
"My wife does yoga. It's not for regular men like us, we go to the gym."
Fact: Social media leads us to believe that this is the case while this is absolutely not true. Yoga is for everyone irrespective of gender, religion, caste, age, race or body type.
While most men enjoy an intense physical workout, it is also a common misconception that one cannot build strength or tone muscles through the asana practice. You'll gain strength, mobility and an increased range of motion, making the asana practice a great way to supplement your workout at the gym to prevent future injuries. It also helps reduce tension that is built up in the muscles through a sedentary lifestyle, stress or even intense physical activity. Furthermore, depending on the style of asana practice you choose, it can be made to feel intense through movements and postures if that's what you enjoy.
Myth #4: Women must not practice yoga while pregnant / on their period.
"My mother-in law says that I must completely rest during these delicate times."
Fact: There is no such rule. Animals go about their day-to-day while pregnant; they run and hunt as well so why can't you practice yoga?
Yoga benefits all faculties in the body while keeping the mind relaxed. There are asana sequences and practices that are specifically designed to help women go through these phases with comfort and ease.
The practice can be gentle, grounding & modified to suit your condition. It aides your body to perform its natural processes with ease. Many times, props are used to support you & make postures more accessible. Listen to your body, seek the right medical advice & practice under a trained and experienced teacher who you trust.
Myth #5: Being able to do advanced asanas means you are good at yoga.
"So cool that you practice yoga...why be a human when you can be a pretzel, hahahaha!"
Fact: This is a gross misconception & quite sad that when the word 'yoga' is mentioned, most people only think of asana/postures.
Asana is also the most common or visible form of yoga and a clear indicator of where the world is headed. On social media, 'yogis' are like acrobats or contortionists. Some even follow trends like 'Beer Yoga' but the real aspect of yoga is not about any of this.
Yoga actually has 8 limbs, with asana being the 3rd and just one of them. In yoga, we move from the gross/physical level to the subtler aspects of the practice to explore and connect with our inner world - the mental, emotional & spiritual realms of our being. While asana is a good way to start the practice at the gross level (physical body), the philosophy of yoga and yogic scriptures when studied under a qualified & well experienced teacher can help us be better human beings & find peace and solace on & off our mats.
So, you don't have to be able to put your leg behind your head or, being able to balance on your hands while you are pretzeled up does not necessarily mean that you are staying true to the purpose of Yoga. Yoga is a lifestyle that is beyond all the postures we do on our mat & it is definitely NOT Beer Yoga or Goat Yoga and the likes of it.
Now that we've busted these myths, I hope that you are able to embrace the yoga practice with an open mindset. To know more about the benefits of a yoga practice click here . I'd be happy to hear your thoughts on this & if you enjoyed this read, share it with whoever might relate. Hit Subscribe & stay tuned for the next one!
Comentários