In the previous article, we debunked several common myths about yoga, providing a clearer understanding of the practice. Now, let’s continue this journey by addressing a few more misconceptions. By exploring and correcting these myths, we aim to offer a more accurate and comprehensive view of yoga’s true nature and benefits.
Myth : You Have to be Young and Flexible to do Yoga
Fact : The essence of yoga lies in embracing your own journey, at your own pace, and without judgement. Being young and flexible provides an added advantage in performing yoga asanas. But, It’s a practice that welcomes everyone, regardless of age or flexibility level.
Yoga is not about contorting your body into extreme poses or being able to touch your toes effortlessly. It’s about improving your overall well-being, both physically and mentally.
For older individuals, yoga can be especially beneficial. It promotes flexibility, balance, and strength, helping to alleviate common age-related issues like joint stiffness and muscle tightness. It’s also a fantastic tool for reducing stress and enhancing mental clarity, which becomes increasingly important with age.
Sri Sri Yoga stands out for its carefully crafted yoga sequences, thoughtfully designed to cater to the specific requirements of individuals at all stages and abilities. Whether you’re an advanced practitioner, an expectant mother, a child, an adult, an athlete, or a senior citizen, Sri Sri Yoga offers personalised practices to meet your unique needs.
Myth : You can Learn Yoga From a Book
Fact : Some people believe that you can learn yoga just by reading books from the store. It’s not that easy. Trying yoga on your own like this can hurt your body and give you incomplete knowledge about it. Yoga is a structured practice that you should learn from a knowledgeable teacher or guide.
You need to understand what to do and also know the good and bad things about certain practices. Reading books might make you interested, but doing yoga without proper guidance can harm you in a way that’s hard to fix.
Practising with certified mentors at Sri Sri Yoga provides a holistic experience. Our instructors offer personalised guidance, ensure proper alignment, and create a secure environment for physical practice. They go beyond postures, teaching essential elements like breath control. Through live guidance and interactive classes, Sri Sri Yoga enriches your understanding and offers immediate feedback.
Myth: Yoga is Not a Workout, Yoga is Just Stretching
Fact : Yoga’s physical aspect was designed to tire out the body and mind so they can be calm for meditation. It’s not just about stretching, just like professional bodybuilding isn’t just about lifting weights. At first, it might seem that way, but there’s more to it.
Yoga is not just about performing asanas (postures). It encompasses a holistic approach to physical, mental, and spiritual well-being. When you learn yoga from an experienced teacher, it can be very helpful and therapeutic. It can correct problems with your muscles, although it doesn’t replace medical care. You’ll get stronger, reduce tension, and improve how you move, which not only helps with proper alignment but also prevents injuries in the future.
Myth : Yoga is Just Another Type of Exercise for Your Physical Body
Fact : Yoga is about bringing together your body, mind, and spirit. When you practise yoga postures while being mindful of your breathing, it can make you more flexible, stronger, and better balanced. It also helps you relax.
Yoga philosophy teaches us about our true selves and helps us find clarity. It shows us how to let go of suffering and things like ego, fear, and rejection. Instead, it helps us accept ourselves.
Many people think yoga is only about doing fancy poses or touching your toes, but it’s really about breathing deeply and wanting to calm your mind and relax your nervous system. It’s about understanding yourself and sometimes, it means changing the way you think and feel so you can find peace – both in your body and in your mind.
Myth : Yoga is Something You “Practice” Every Morning and Evening
Fact : Yoga isn’t limited to just a few hours or certain times of the day; it’s a way of living, a complete transformation. To truly practise yoga, one must live every moment according to the “Yoga Philosophy”. If you only practise asana on the mat and spend the rest of your time entangled in negative emotions like anger or frustration, that’s not yoga; it’s merely ignorance.
Yoga encompasses every aspect of life, and this is where the eight limbs of yoga come into play. These eight limbs, from ethical guidelines to meditation, offer a comprehensive path for self-realisation and inner growth. When your entire life embodies yoga, you can handle any situation – family, work, interpersonal relationships – with ease and joy. It all depends on whether you use each situation of life to become more entangled or to become free.
Myth : All Yoga Teachers Have the Same Training / Yoga Can Be Taught by Anybody
Fact : Just because one has attended a yoga instructor’s course, got certified, practised yoga for a while, or read some yogic books doesn’t automatically make one an expert capable of teaching yoga. While one may know certain yoga practices, before one begins teaching, it’s crucial to integrate these practices into one’s daily life. It’s important to be humble and follow the principles of Ashtanga Yoga (8 limbs of Yoga by Sage Patanjali).
Only when someone genuinely feels confident, and experienced, and has embodied the essence of yoga, can one become a yoga teacher in a true sense. Teaching yoga requires more than just knowledge; it demands a deep understanding and personal commitment to the yogic way of life.
To be a true yoga teacher, one must possess genuine confidence, experience, and a profound embodiment of yoga’s essence. Teaching yoga goes beyond mere knowledge; it necessitates a deep understanding and personal dedication to the yogic lifestyle. Only when someone genuinely feels confident and experienced and has embodied the essence of yoga can they become a yoga teacher in a true sense.
As the saying goes, “Only a ripe mango is sweet.” Many teachers are certified, but mastering the principles of yoga, which we emphasise in our 200-hour training, is essential. At the Sri Sri School of Yoga, we don’t just create trainers; we create masters-individuals who truly understand the essence of yoga and live it. Our teacher training programs are diverse, including basic, advanced, 200-hour, 300-hour, prenatal, and children’s yoga teacher training, offered both online and offline.
We ensure that our trainees undergo rigorous training to gain a deeper understanding. Our instructors are highly proficient, producing exceptional-quality teachers who become yogis for whom teaching comes naturally, as sharing knowledge becomes very important. The school goes beyond certification, continuously updating the knowledge of yoga and striving to ensure that our graduates become true yogis, not just yoga teachers.
To uncover and debunk additional myths, we invite you to continue reading the next part of this article. By delving deeper, you’ll gain a more comprehensive understanding of the various misconceptions surrounding yoga.
