Resilient Reflections: The Truth About Yoga - Myths Part 4
The Truth About Yoga - Myths Part 4
Although I could go on for many blogs, this will be my final one on the myths surrounding yoga. It is my hope that I have identified enough myths for people to read about, that they may consider yoga as an option for staying healthy at any age.
I encourage you to learn more about yoga, through books, webinars, videos, magazines, anything that might further spark your curiosity about his ancient practice and lifestyle. However, nothing can replace yoga to build an asana practice properly like learning from an experienced instructor. When people jump on YouTube to learn or read a 1-2-3 step yoga guide to learn, they often injure themselves, overdo it, or do not get the full understanding of what yoga is really about and what it offers us. Teachers guide you to learn yoga properly to then move on, if you desire, to more challenging classes and probably most important, your own home practice.
Todays final myths in our series (some worth repeating!):
Myth: It’s too slow to help me change my shape or lose weight.
Classical yoga is not the best way reduce fat and lose weight but it is the best way to lose fat and reduce weight without side-effects when done correctly under the guidance of a trained yoga teacher.
Myth: Yoga Isn't Real Exercise
Yoga is not only a great way to exercise, but it is also one of the safest due to its pace and non-impact motion. Yoga not only works as a cardio workout, particularly in styles like Bikram (where the room is heated), but also tones the entire body. Every yoga pose targets a different area, so as a whole, Yoga classes are a total body workout.
Myth: Yoga Is a Bunch of People Sitting in a Room Meditating
Probably the most widespread myth about Yoga today is the belief that it is comprised solely of chanting and meditation which is entirely false. There are many different styles of yoga, some of which focus on the breath and emotional well being of the student. However, other styles eliminate this entirely and work only on the physical.
Chanting as a practice is not often used, even in meditative and restorative yoga styles. If you're looking solely for a physical practice, there are styles of yoga which will accommodate that. However, the meditative aspect brings physical benefits as well, such as improved respiratory health and stress relief. There are many styles of meditation you can try to see what might work best for you as a good meditation practice is also extremely healthy for body and mind. But neither are a requirement to practice yoga on your mat.
Myth: Yoga cannot be custom-made
This is a huge misconception. Every person and body is different with different needs. All the Yoga asanas can be modified, keeping the individual requirements of each person in mind.
Myth: Yoga asanas practice is just another form of physical exercise only
Yoga does offer you tangible benefits, but it provides you much more than that. Yoga is an art and science of holistic living. Yoga asanas offer you a chance to undergo a complete transformation – physically, emotionally, physiologically, mentally, and psychologically. It is a subtle makeover that guarantees health and harmony inside out.
References
https://theyogainstitute.org/
www.everydayyoga.com
