10 yoga myths and misconceptions

Published: June 15, 2020

Yoga is an ancient practice that helps people not only stretch and get more active but also relax. However, there are several yoga myths and misconceptions that circle around. We are going to mention 10 of them and explain why this is not true. Keep on reading the article and you will maybe start doing yoga afterward. If this happens, feel free to get in touch with the best yoga instructor Dubai has to offer.

One of the myths and misconceptions is that yoga belongs to one religion

The most important thing you should know about yoga is that it does not ‘belong’ to any religion. Mind, body, and soul exist in all human beings and this is certainly not related to religion. What yoga does is bring these aspects together without concerning itself with any kind of label. The most important thing that yoga requires is practice with true dedication and consistency. You can feel free to practice yoga no matter what your religion is.

Yoga is nothing more than bodily postures

One of the most widely spread yoga myths and misconceptions is that it is only about bodily postures. However, there is more to it than just this. Yoga is comprehensive and it is about finding your true self and connecting with it. Yes, the practice should start with the body but the ultimate goal should be going deep within. So, if you would like to make this happen, you can even set up your own home yoga studio.

This is something you can learn through books

You would be surprised how many people think that yoga is so simple that it can be learned from books. However, it is not quite true, yoga is much more complex. Some people who have tried learning yoga this way ended up injuring themselves.

This is a systematic process which is exactly why it should be learned from a guide or guru. They are true experts who will guide you throughout the session.

Yoga requires flexibility

As people get older, their movements become more rigid. Since a great number of people practice yoga, you should definitely not be worried about this since it is just another one of the yoga myths and misconceptions. Feel free to start doing yoga at any age. As time goes by, you will certainly notice that you have become more flexible since this is a combination of balance, strength, flexibility, and concentration.

Only young people should practice yoga – One of the most common yoga myths and misconceptions

As we have already mentioned, age does not matter when practicing yoga is in question. It is for everyone, irrespective of age and gender. All it requires is dedication and regular practice. As a matter of fact, even people aged more than 60 manage to perform some of the most delicate movements with ease and perfection. So, if you are persistent enough, the sky is the limit.

Yoga is time-consuming

One of the great things about yoga is the fact that your sessions do not have to be of exact duration. For example, you can even do it 30 minutes in the morning and 30 minutes before going to bed. If it happens that you have more time, feel free to extend this time.

Since yoga helps people get relaxed, it is advisable to start practicing it if your job is stressful. It is probable that you will notice the effects in a short span of time. Once you start, it is going to be hard to stop.

Yoga means changing your complete lifestyle

Something that is true is that yoga definitely demands a change in one’s lifestyle. However, this does not mean that you should change your lifestyle completely. For example, it does not mean that, once you start practicing yoga, you should become a vegan or sacrifice all material belongings. What is recommended is being moderate with everything. Feel free to apply this even to your diet. Try to avoid overeating as well as eating meat and junk food on a daily basis. Also, it does not mean that you should stop practicing yoga if you are pregnant. Quite the opposite- feel free to enroll in prenatal yoga classes Dubai.

Asthmatics should refrain from practicing yoga

The situation is actually quite the opposite- it is preferable for asthmatics to practice yoga. Breathing exercises that are part of yoga are quite beneficial as they give the required oxygen in sufficient quantity. This helps asthmatics reduce the effect of disease to a great extent. In addition to this, it also helps to consume less medicine.

Yoga can be dangerous

Anything can be dangerous if you want to achieve it in a hurry. You should be aware of the limitations of your body and be patient.

If you are a beginner, do not expect to be able to do everything that people who have been practicing it for a long time are. This goes for both bodily postures and the overall development of your personality.

It can be taught by anybody – Among the top yoga myths and misconceptions

The fact that some people think they are experts, it does not mean this is true. They have probably been to yoga classes but nothing else. So, if you would like to start practicing, make sure the guru is an expert. If this is the case, you can be sure that you are not going to make a mistake. You will get to achieve all of your goals and enjoy the whole process.

As with everything else, there also are some yoga myths and misconceptions. In case you would like to start practicing it, you should not worry about what other people may say. Do this for yourself and you will start feeling better in a short span of time.