A study from 2019 states that around 2.81 million Germans aged 14 and over often do yoga in their free time. The variety of yoga pants and the associated equipment on the German market also speaks for the ever-growing popularity of mental and physical training. But just because yoga has found its way into the collective psyche of Germans doesn't mean that all the information people have about itthe thousand-year-old Indian teachinghave, are true. In fact, there are numerous myths about yoga - many of them contradictory - that we would like to dispel. Below we have compiled some of the misconceptions about yoga and added a realistic explanation for each.
The most common myths about yoga:
1. You have to be flexible to do yoga
Saying that you have to be flexible in order toto do yoga, is like saying you have to be in shape to go to the gym or that you have to be clean to take a shower. There may be a connection between yoga and flexibility, but flexibility is not a requirement to do yoga.
You don't necessarily have to be able to touch your toes while standing to do yoga. Beginners can do this by bending their knees. Over time, yoga can help you become more flexible, but you don't have to be a rubber man to start doing it for the first time. Flexibility is a result of yoga, not a requirement.
2. Yoga is for the slim, young and beautiful
The image of the yogin today is associated with the idea of slim, flexible, beautiful young women who go to studios and beaches to perform pretzel-like body contortions that they then post on social media. This image is of course attractive, and it has certainly helped to stimulate interest in yoga, but this impression is misleading and does not correspond to reality.
According to Statista's survey of the number of people in Germany who do yoga or Pilates in their free time (by frequency and age groups in 2013), only about 13 percent of respondents fell into the 14-29 age group, with the majority Majority of respondents were over 30 years old and 12 percent of them fell into the “40+” category.
The slim figure is also a misunderstanding. You don't have to be thin (or conventionally beautiful) to practice yoga. Yoga is versatile, inviting and suitable for everyone. Just check out the Instagram pages of truly inspiring yogis like Jessamyn Stanley and Amber Karnes, who prove that yoga is for everyone andaccessible in any size.
3. Myths about Yoga: Yoga is a religion
For us Europeans, there is much about yoga that may seem “religious,” and certainly the Indian teachings havea spiritual element, but it is important to understand that yoga itself is not a religion. This myth about yoga is heard very often among Christians. This comes from the Indian roots of yoga, where mantras and chants have been used for many years. They are intended to bring focus to what is important and help us awaken within, but they are not necessary to practice yoga.
And even if you decide to join the mantras and chants, you would not be converting to a new religion. There is a spiritual element that encourages you to connect with a higher power, but it is non-denominational so people of any religion can do yoga.
4. Only vegetarians and hippies do yoga
It is true that yoga is a teaching that promotes self-awareness, love and connection with the world. As practitioners become more mindful and conscientious of their actions, many of them make decisions that appear somewhat “hippie-like” to the outside world. According to a 2016 American survey, half of yoga practitioners say they “live environmentally consciously, eat sustainably and donate time to their community.” But that means the other half doesn't claim to do these things. So there is no obligation for yogis to give up meat or stop using commercially produced deodorants.
5. Yoga is all about stretching exercises
Believe it or not, yoga is not about stretching. Yes, if you go to a typical yoga class, you will get through ita set of asanas (poses)The stretching exercises are and feel very similar, but the physical element of yoga is only part of the picture.
Yoga is about breathing. The true goal of yoga is to move the body, connect with the breath and be in the present moment. The real only “goal” is to release excess energy. This is why yoga is considered more of a teaching than a workout. As a yoga practitioner, it's not just about what happens on the yoga mat for sixty minutes, but also about what you take away from that 60-minute session to carry with you in your soul for the rest of the day.
6. Yoga is too easy
To be fair – there are some “easy” poses in yoga, that is, if you define “easy” as “not physically challenging.” Both Savasana and Child's Pose wouldn't necessarily make you sweat.If you're the typeIf you're someone who likes to run hard, lift heavy weights, do high-intensity workouts, and just generally sweat, you might look at yoga and think, "Ugh, that's way too slow and subtle for me." You may even be thinking, “My workout time is valuable, why should I waste it on something that is less effective than my usual routine?”
Yoga isn't necessarily a hard workout, but it is a lot more demanding than many people think. Poses involve muscles that are not used frequently or are not held in a static or isometric contraction. Not to mention, yoga poses put your body in less than familiar positions. The result? Beginners are likely to leave class thinking, “Wow, that was harder than I expected.”
For those of you who are still skeptical about “wasting” valuable workout time on yoga, consider the following:
- Yoga is not intended to be a workout in the traditional sense, but you can make it as hard or easy as you want. For athletes who don't appreciate the basic poses like "Upward-Facing Dog," there are a number of yoga asanas, like "Crow" or "Scorpion," that are incredibly challenging.
- In addition to burning calories, yoga offers many health benefits that many athletes would benefit from. Balance, coordination, static strength, flexibility and mindfulness are all benefits of yoga, and they are also considered skill-related components of fitness that can improve overall performance in your chosen sport or activity.
- You can't know until you try it. Yoga is often a struggle for athletes because it forces them to train in ways they don't normally. Just because something looks easy doesn't mean it is.
7. Yoga is too difficult
One of the great myths about yoga - quite the opposite of the previous one - is that yoga is too difficult, or more accurately, "beyond my ability." Yoga may seem unfamiliar to someone who hasn't done it before, and many people are afraid to step out of their comfort zone and try something new. They may be afraid that they won't be able to perform the poses, that they won't be able to participate, or, in the case of athletes, that they'll feel unable to take on physical challenges when they normally feel confident.
If fear is what's holding you back, you might still want to try yoga. The most important thing you learn through yoga is to listen to your body, move at your own pace, and let go of judgment and criticism, both from yourself and others. Besides, there is oneVariety of poses and variationsthat allow for individual differences and skill levels.
8. Myths about yoga and pregnancy
It is known that exercise is good for a healthy pregnancy and that yoga is often promoted as a safe and gentle option for expectant mothers. So why should this be considered a myth? It's all in the details. Yes, women should do yoga during pregnancy, but with caution. During pregnancy and to a lesser extent during menstruation, the female body produces the hormone relaxin. The function of relaxin is to prepare the body for the upcoming delivery by relaxing or making the muscles, connective tissue and joints more flexible. While this results in greater flexibility, it could also encourage expectant mothers to walk too far during yoga practice, which can lead to injury.
More experienced yogis should listen carefully to their bodies with each practice and stay within their pre-pregnancy limits. Beginners should pay special attention to safety as they may not know what their limits are. You should work with a qualified yoga teacher and perhaps take special yoga classes for pregnant women. And by the way: There are alsoYoga with baby.
9. You need special clothing for yoga
You don't have to have the right outfit or clothes to do yoga. Yoga is not about looks, but about moving your breath through your body and finding a deeper connection with yourself. To be clear: You can do it while wearing whatever you want, whether it's comfy pajamas or the leggings you already have on hand. We also have to mention that most large yoga studios provide mats andYoga accessoriesrent so you really don't need to buy anything before your first course.
10. Doing yoga poses is embarrassing
If you feel a little uncomfortable sticking your butt up in the air in a class with other people, you're not alone. Many are afraid of the classroom environment because they do not want to be “watched”. In fact, most practitioners are focused on the pose, so they may barely notice what the people around them are doing. When performing certain poses, you don't have time to think about the people around you as you pay attention to your breath and try to perfect your alignment.
11. Real men don't do yoga
We have never seen a “No Boys Allowed” sign on a studio door. In fact, yoga was started by men. Historically, some of the greatest yoga teachers have been men. And today, more and more men, including celebrities like LeBron James, Colin Farrel, Adam Levine and Robert Downey Junior, are practicing yoga. If you're still not convinced that yoga is a "male" thing, watch a DVD by Diamond Dallas Page, a former wrestler and world champion.
12. Myths about yoga: It takes too much time
Many yoga classes last around 30, 60 or 90 minutes. The idea that you have to commit to an hour of yoga to reap the benefits is far from reality. Anyone can find a yoga workout online these days that is 5, 10, or 15 minutes long. The excuse that time is the key factor for not doing something for yourself is something people should reconsider. If you have 10 minutes to watch TV or sit at the computer, you also have time for yoga!
Now that we have already cleared up these myths about yoga, are you ready to eliminate the excuses in your head? Now is the perfect time to pick a beginner video and try out some asanas!
