Here are 5 common yoga myths you should not believe.
Think you have to be super flexible to do yoga? Think again! Don’t let common yoga myths make you timid on the mat! Yoga is far more accessible than most people realize. In this post, we’re going on a debunking spree to correct the five biggest yoga myths.
1. You need to have flexibility and athleticism to do yoga
While the popularity of yoga on social media has done a great job of drawing interest to this ancient practice, it has also created some illusions. The experienced, hyper-flexible yoginis you see doing contortionist-level moves aren’t necessarily reflective of what takes place in a standard yoga class. Beginner classes are paced for beginners. You don’t need any degree of athleticism or flexibility to begin. In fact, the low-impact nature of yoga makes it a very safe and comfortable starting point for anyone who wants to become more active. Come as you are! If you have a true passion for yoga, your instructors will be able to help you achieve the skill level you see online over time.
2. Yoga is just a fancy form of stretching
Many people do love yoga because it allows them to stretch and decompress. However, yoga is a holistic, multifaceted practice that blends breathing, contracting, movement, mental exercise, and more. Let’s not forget that one of yoga’s purposes is to exhaust the body to free the mind! You’ll burn calories, get your heart going, and strengthen muscles. If you opt for hot yoga, you’ll feel like you completed a marathon by the end.
3. Yoga is easy compared to other forms of exercise
There’s a reason why so many elite professional athletes utilize yoga as part of their training. While yoga looks very different from running or endurance sports, it can be both physically and mentally demanding. If you’re someone who already enjoys running, cycling, weightlifting, tennis, or core-building exercises, yoga is great for enhancing your skills and endurance using different mental and physical muscles.
4. You should try yoga at home first
Unfortunately, many people try to learn yoga on their own at home using free YouTube yoga videos or TikTok yoga tutorials. While there are plenty of solid yoga influencers online, people who are new to yoga don’t have a way to know if they’re being taught properly. That means you could learn improper form and technique that make it harder to learn how to do poses the right way when you actually take a class. Trying to teach yourself a few yoga moves online before you sign up for a class seems harmless. However, it’s likely to make you frustrated because you’ll feel like you’re going backwards.
If you want to try yoga at home, take an online live stream class from an experienced instuctor.
5. You need to commit to doing yoga daily for it to be effective
Don’t be surprised if yoga soon becomes something you “need” in order to tackle the day! Many people find that they are simply mentally and physically better after they fit their daily yoga session in. However, you certainly don’t need to commit to daily yoga just to benefit from it. Many people find that taking just one or two yoga classes a week makes them feel amazing.
Try yoga in Dayton, Ohio
With the biggest yoga myths out of your way, it’s time to finally experience yoga for yourself! Why not start with 30 days of unlimited yoga? Ignite Dayton offers in-person and online yoga classes that enable new students to try all five styles offered at our studio. Join us today!
