By Julia Kalish
As a yoga teacher who primarily focuses on teaching yoga to absolute beginners, I know that there are lots of questions out there about what exactly yoga is. Each time I begin a new session with beginner yoga students, we spend some time in the first class discussing what yoga is, and what yoga isn't. We also dispel some of the misunderstandings that people may have about what it is that we are going to do in our Absolute Beginner Yoga class.
Here are some of the most popular "myths" about yoga:
Myth #1: I'm not flexible - I can't even touch my toes - so I can't do yoga.
This is often coming from someone who has the impression that if you go to a yoga class you will be required to put your foot behind your head. Not true. In my 10+ years of practicing and teaching yoga, I've NEVER been forced to go beyond my flexibility in a yoga class, nor have I ever asked a student to either. We each practice at our own level, at our own pace. And while the person next to you might indeed have her foot behind her head, it's perfectly OK if you do not. She won't get a medal for that, and you won't get a ticket for NOT doing that.
Myth #2: Oh my gosh, She's doing THE YOGA! Isn't yoga is a religion, or a cult?
I used to hear this from my grandmother, who was quite worried that her oldest granddaughter had gotten involved in "the yoga" and possibly doomed for doing so. Now, while some practitioners may think of their yoga as a spiritual experience or lifestyle, here are some ways in which yoga is not like a religion:
Yoga does not have a god to whom practitioners pray.
There are no rituals that must be performed in a yoga practice.
Yoga has no sacred icons.
Yoga does not have a formal statement of religious belief.
You do not need to declare any kind of faith to practice yoga.
There are no "yoga priests" or "yoga ministers" or any kind of ordained clergy.
Yoga has no institutional structure, leader or group of overseers.
You cannot be a "member of yoga."
There are no "yoga temples" or "yoga churches"
Myth #3: Yoga isn't a "workout."
There are so many types of yoga asana (posture) practice out there that yoga can be what you want it to be. You can find gentle, meditative classes that will help you relax and fall asleep. Or you can find a power or vinyasa yoga class that will give you Madonna arms in no time! The key is to figure out what you want from your yoga practice, ask questions and find the class that is right for you.
Julia Kalish, eRYT-500 is a Certified Nutritionist and Yoga Teacher in Herndon, VA. She is the owner of Double Dog Yoga in Herndon, which specializes in beginner-level vinyasa yoga instruction in both small groups and one-on-one. Double Dog also offers classes for the experienced yoga practitioner at their Herndon location. To contact Julia, email her at julia@doubledogyoga.com or visit her website at http://www.doubledogyoga.com/ The content of this article may be used without special permission; provided it is used for nonprofit purposes and full attribution and contact information for Julia Kalish is given. For other purposes, contact Julia Kalish at julia@doubledogyoga.com
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