With the new year getting ready to begin people start to make resolutions. A lot of resolutions are to be healthier. Yoga is a great way to become healthier unfortunately people sometimes have the misconception of what you have to be to practice yoga. Here are three that I have personally come across when people find out I teach yoga.
1) FLEXIBLE : I hear all the time from people ” Oh I am not flexible enough to do yoga.” Most of the people we see in those yoga pictures did not start off that way. Yes there are some lucky ones who are naturally that flexible but most of us are not. With a consistent yoga practice your body will loosen up and become more flexible. I don’t know if you will become a contortionist but you will become more flexible.
2) A GYMNAST: Handstands are not required. Arm balances of any kind are not a requirement. We have all seen the very impressive pictures of yogis standing on their heads or some type of handstand with the body in some twisty position. I like to think of yoga as an individual journey. Any teacher should understand and help the student on their journey. Yoga has many parts to it and some people do not practice the poses for them yoga is more of a mental practice. If you do practice the poses start on the mat with no expectations. Just breathe and see where it takes you.
3) BE A CERTAIN WAY: Special diets or thinking a certain way. There are misconceptions about both of these things in yoga. Just be you and do what is best for you. Yoga is not about fitting into a certain group. You can be Buddhist, Christian, atheist or whatever and practice yoga. Everyone deserves to feel peace and calm. Yes sometimes people make changes in their lives after they have started yoga. Changes should be made because you feel it is right for you not because you think you have too.
T.K.V. Desikachar said it best in his book The Heart of Yoga “We begin where we are and how we are, and whatever happens, happens.” Have a happy New Year everyone!
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