Suppose the prevalence of yoga pants and related gear hasn’t already. In that case, yoga is making an impact on American culture. According to a “Yoga in America” poll by Yoga Journal and Yoga Alliance, there were roughly 36.7 million yoga practitioners in America in 2016, an increase from 20.4 million in 2012. That’s a more than 50% increase in just four years.
You may have preconceived views about yoga preventing you from starting. If that’s the case, it’s time to clear the air. Here’s a more grounded description of the practice.
Yoga does not require flexibility.
Believing you must be flexible to do yoga is akin to saying you have to be fit to go to the gym or clean to shower. Although yoga to flexible, being flexible is not required to practice yoga.
Whether or not you are adaptable should not determine whether or not you practice. Yoga can help you grow more flexible over time—that’s why we call it a practice—but you don’t have to be Gumby to begin. Flexibility is a byproduct of yoga, not a requirement.
Everyone Can Benefit From Yoga
Yoga suits people of all ages, sizes, genders, ethnicities, and fitness levels. Social media helped to maintain the image of yoga in America as slender, bendy young ladies going to studios and beaches to perform pretzel-like body contortions. However, yoga’s genuine picture (and aim) extend beyond this.
Yoga is for you and me, our sisters, brothers, nephews, and grandparents. Yoga is for everyone. Yoga, in reality, signifies unity.
Yoga does not need you to be slender or fit into a specific aesthetic to do it—yoga is inclusive and accepting. It is a discipline for everyone. Just look at the Instagram profiles of yogis, who show that yoga is accessible to everyone of any size.
You also do not have to be a set age. According to the 2016 Yoga in America study, 19% of American practitioners were between the ages of 18 and 29. Most practitioners were above 30, with 38% falling into the “50+” category. Yoga can assist people of all ages, from children to the elderly.
Yoga Is Not a Religious Practice
For the uninitiated Westerner, much about yoga may appear “religious.” Indeed, there is a spiritual component to the practice. Still, it is critical to remember that yoga is not a religion.
Yoga has Indian roots, where mantras and chants have been used for many years to focus and awaken within, but they’re not essential to do yoga.
Even if you decide to join in on the mantras and chants, you are not converting to yoga as you would to a new religion. The spiritual element of yoga encourages you to connect with a higher force, but it’s non-denominational, so you can practice yoga as a practitioner of any faith.
Yoga does not require you to be a hippie.
Yoga is a practice that promotes self-awareness, love, and connection to one’s surroundings. Many practitioners make choices that appear “hippie-like” to the outer world as they become more attentive and conscientious of their activities. However, you will not be an outcast if you do not fit into the hippie lifestyle.
The 2016 Yoga in America poll found that half of the people who do yoga say they live green, eat sustainably, and give time to their community. These are all great things to do, but the other half do not. So, just to be clear, yogis are not required to stop eating meat, live in a commune, or not use deodorant made by a company.
Yoga Is More Than Just Stretching
When you attend a typical yoga session, you will go through a series of asanas (poses) that may appear and feel similar to stretching. However, the physical aspect of yoga is only a tiny part of the whole picture.
Yoga is about breath, as yoga’s true objective is move your body, connect your breath, and be present in the moment. Traditionally, the “objective” is to release excess energy so that you can sit and meditate.
These are just a few reasons yoga is a discipline rather than an exercise. Being a practitioner entails more than just what happens on your yoga mat for 60 minutes. It’s about what you take away from that 60-minute session and applies to the rest of your day.
Yoga can be as straightforward or as complex as you make it.
Yoga isn’t necessarily “hard,” but it’s a lot more difficult than many people think. Muscles that aren’t usually used or held still in a static or isometric contraction are used in poses. Not to mention that yoga poses force your body into unfamiliar situations. The result? Beginners may leave class thinking, “Wow, that was harder than I imagined.”
Suppose you want to run hard, lift heavy weights, run through a high-intensity interval training session, and generally get steamy. You might think that yoga is “far too sluggish and low-key for me.” “My workout time is valuable; why would I squander it on something less effective than my usual routine?” you may think.
If you’re still apprehensive about “spending” valuable workout time on yoga, consider the following:
Yoga to be a traditional workout, but you may make it as complex or as easy as you like. For athletes who dislike the basic downward dog and child’s pose, various yoga postures, such as crow and scorpion, provide an excellent challenge.
Skill-related fitness components that help boost overall performance in your chosen sport or activity. Yoga improves balance, coordination, static strength, flexibility, and mindfulness. Yoga has health advantages in addition to calorie burn, which many athletes benefit.
Don’t dismiss anything until you’ve given it a shot. Just because something appears to be simple does not imply that it is. Yoga is often tricky for athletes since it requires them to work in ways they only sometimes work.
Many people are afraid to venture outside their comfort zones and attempt something new. They may be scared that they won’t accomplish the poses, be unable to follow along, or feel inadequate when they usually feel confident taking on physical tasks. Yoga, on the other hand, isn’t supposed to be one-size-fits-all. The procedure is quite adaptable.
If you find specific yoga poses or sequences difficult, you can alter them to meet your body, ability, and needs. Yoga instructors frequently modify more challenging positions to make them more approachable.
Some of the most important skills I’ve learned from yoga are to listen to my body, go at my own pace, and let go of any judgment and criticism. Also, various positions and pose variations accommodate individual characteristics and ability levels.
You Can Practice Yoga While Pregnant
While it can be difficult, exercise is beneficial to a healthy pregnancy. Yoga is a safe and low-impact option for expecting parents, as long as you practice correctly.
Yoga is safe during pregnancy. During pregnancy and, to a lesser extent, when a woman is having her period, the body makes the hormone Relaxin. Relaxin’s job is to make your muscles, connective tissue, and joints looser or more flexible so that you can give birth. While this increases range of motion, it also makes it easier for pregnant parents to overreach during yoga practice, potentially resulting in injury.
More experienced yogis should pay special attention to their bodies during each practice and stay within their pre-pregnancy limits. Because they may not know their limits, those new to yoga should take a more proactive approach to safety.
Yoga does not necessitate the purchase of expensive equipment or clothing.
Sure, you can go to lululemon and spend hundreds (or even thousands) of dollars on name-brand yoga attire, gear, and accessories. Still, there’s no reason to go broke to start a practice.
Yoga does not require a certain appearance or attire. Yoga isn’t about how you appear; it’s about moving your breath through your body and connecting with yourself more deeply.
To be clear, you can do this while wearing whatever you like, whether it’s comfortable jammies or sporting gear you currently own. Most yoga studios supply mats and supplies for rent, so there’s nothing you need to buy before your first class.
You are not required to be self-conscious in class.
If thrusting your glutes high in the air feels awkward in a class full of other kids, you’re not alone. Students are frequently terrified of the classroom environment because they don’t want to be watched. I wish they understood that most practitioners are in such a “zone” that they don’t notice what people around them are doing.
When you may feel self-conscious while practicing poses, if you’re focused on your breath and perfecting your alignment, you won’t have time to consider the people around you. And that should tell you something: if you’re too preoccupied to notice your fellow yogis’ rear ends, they’re too distracted to see yours.
Yoga Is Gender-Neutral
It should be no surprise that women are more likely than men to attend yoga courses. However, this does not preclude men from reaping the benefits of this exercise.
I’ve never seen a studio door with a “No Boys Allowed” sign. Yoga is practiced by an increasing number of males, including LeBron James and Tom Brady. Men invented yoga. Guys have historically been some of the best yoga teachers.
Yoga Can Work Around Your Schedule
Yoga practice might take as much time as you have available. Some official yoga courses are 45, 60, or 90 minutes long. Still, the notion that you must commit to an hour of yoga to gain its advantages is untrue.
These days, anyone can go online and get a 5-, 10-, or 15-minute yoga class. Making the excuse that time is the most important element in not doing something for yourself is something I hope people will reconsider. You have time for yoga if you have 10 minutes to watch TV or use the computer!