Following its introduction to the west in the late 1800\u2019s, yoga has seen a constant rise in popularity. Today, we have an estimated 70 million yoga teachers<\/a> across North America!<\/p>\n So, why do we have so many yoga misconceptions and how did they start? There are several theories about how they began, but as is true with many misunderstood practices, speculation and stereotypes are at the root of these rumors.<\/p>\n Never fear, we\u2019re here to de-mystify the most common yoga myths and misconceptions and to shed some light on what yoga looks like in today\u2019s practice. Read on as we debunk seven of the most common myths about yoga!<\/p>\n One of the most long-standing yoga misconceptions is that it\u2019s a practice solely for women. This is far from accurate.<\/p>\n In fact, in the early 1800\u2019s<\/a>, yoga was common practice for the ruling Prince of India, and it was taught to young boys as a \u201cworkout\u201d, making this falsehood especially puzzling!<\/p>\n Teaching a yoga class or own a studio? Expect to see all shapes and sizes. Today\u2019s yoga focuses on finding strength in balance, and there\u2019s nothing gender-specific about that<\/p>\n Have you ever heard that you need to be flexible to practice yoga? That\u2019s another myth! Yoga is for everyBODY. We\u2019re not all super flexible and that\u2019s okay, but that\u2019s something yoga is great at: increasing strength and flexibility.<\/p>\n Like anything else in life, improvement comes with practice. Keep at it, and little by little you\u2019ll see a drastic improvement in your strength and flexibility. Even if you don\u2019t start out very bendy at the beginning, remember it\u2019s called a practice because it\u2019s a work in progress. Flexibility is certainly not a requirement to start practicing yoga, but it is sure to improve the more you work at it.<\/p>\n Another important note: if you assume that everyone in the class will be flexible and that you won\u2019t measure up, you might miss out on something you were meant for. Don\u2019t let yoga misconceptions like this one keep you from giving it a try.<\/p>\n If you\u2019re a teacher or studio owner, it\u2019s important to keep in mind the variety of different students you might see in your class. It\u2019s a good idea to start slow, feeling out your class\u2019s starting point and building your program around that. Also, be very clear in your class descriptions about the level of expertise required. You want to encourage beginners to try it out and experienced yogis to push their limits.<\/p>\n The more comfortable your students get, the more classes they\u2019ll try!<\/p>\n This one is a rumor clearly started by someone who hasn\u2019t attended a yoga class themselves. Modern yoga, having evolved in the past 200 years<\/a>, combines physical strength and core engagement. If that isn\u2019t a workout, we don\u2019t know what is!<\/p>\n While it\u2019s true that there is no weight lifting or traditional cardio involved in modern yoga, it\u2019s a test in coordination, strength and balance. There\u2019s also the fact that you may very well be using muscles you haven\u2019t trained before \u2013 that definitely adds an additional challenge to the workout!<\/p>\n And we haven\u2019t even covered the part of the workout that exercises your mind and spirit! Yoga is the practice of patience, peace and fortitude. It\u2019s definitely not just stretching, it\u2019s a focus on strength \u2013 both of the mental and the physical varieties.<\/p>\n Also, can we talk about the classes themselves? Most classes are 60 to 90 minutes, and they are quite an endeavor. If you think you won\u2019t be sore, tired and sweating all over your mat, think again.<\/p>\n This is one of those yoga misconceptions you can debunk yourself \u2013 just sign up for a class and see!<\/p>\n Yoga misconceptions like this one that claims yoga is just a health trend that stayed around too long, has got to go! Yes, it has steadily gained popularity over the last century, but it is certainly no fad. Many yogis have adopted it as a lifelong pursuit, practicing regularly to improve, grow and remain balanced.<\/p>\n Why has yoga been around so long? Because it works! When you consider yoga\u2019s longevity, trendy does not describe its rise. In fact, more and more yoga instructors are emerging and the classes sizes are growing steadily.<\/p>\n Part of yoga\u2019s interesting history highlights its popularity during the aerobics craze in the 1980\u2019s. With a rise in fitness-related injuries<\/a>, yoga became a way for people to continue to work out, while healing from injury \u2013 and its popularity has only grown from there!<\/p>\n In today\u2019s fast-paced world, many people are seeking stress relief in a physical workout. Don\u2019t make the mistake of underestimating yoga and its power to relax the mind as well. Achieving a deeper awareness of the mind and body connection is a powerful tool to combat stress and to find some relief in the modern hectic lifestyle.<\/p>\n Looking to be engaged and present in the moment? Focusing on inner peace means a calming of the mind, along with the body. That doesn\u2019t sound all that trendy, now does it?<\/p>\n This is one of those myths surrounding yoga that\u2019s rooted in misunderstanding. From its early beginnings in India, yoga has always been tied to Hinduism, however the practice itself is not a religion. While it is certainly a spiritual practice, it does not emphasize worshiping deities.<\/p>\n So what is yoga all about? The word \u201cyoga\u201d translates to the \u201cunion,\u201d as in the union or connection between the body and the mind. As most yoga instructors will tell you, at its most fundamental level, it\u2019s the practice of self-realization and of awakening your awareness within.<\/p>\n These yoga misconceptions show how much debunking myth and legend is important! If you were resistant to trying yoga because of its religious ties, there\u2019s nothing stopping you now…<\/p>\n Some beginners are hesitant to try yoga because they are afraid they aren\u2019t flexible or strong enough to do certain poses. This stems from the belief that you be good at yoga; you have to be able to do the Insta-worthy poses. And that the harder the pose, the better you must be at yoga.<\/p>\n This is a perfect example of how yoga misconceptions can play on your insecurities, discouraging you from trying something you might grow to love! We know that some poses can be intimidating, but they don\u2019t need to be. Although yoga is usually practiced in a class setting, it is a personal habit. The importance of introspection and awareness is paramount, with patience and physical strength coming in second.<\/p>\n The concepts of competition, comparison and levels of greatness are largely missing from this unique pastime. It\u2019s not like any traditional sport you might be used to. There are no teams, there are no winners and losers, and each participant is concentrating on their spiritual, mental or physical strength.<\/p>\n Looking to give yoga a try? Focus on your own progress and go for it! If you\u2019re a yoga instructor, we suggest you keep this myth in mind! Tailor your classes to cater to all levels of skill, offer correction and modify your poses to suit your class. Be gentle and encouraging and your classes will grow!<\/p>\n This is one of the many yoga misconceptions that is easy to dispel. It\u2019s often believed that all yoga is the same.<\/p>\n In actuality, yoga is not a single practice. From Hatha yoga, to Bikram yoga, to Kundalini yoga, and so much more, you got a lot of options to choose from. Not only that, but you can try a yoga class anywhere from gyms to dedicated yoga studios these days. Different atmospheres, class sizes and class types can make a world of difference to your experience.<\/p>\n Have you tried yoga and decided that it\u2019s just not for you? Gone to a class and come away disappointed? Don\u2019t stop after one \u2013 or even two attempts \u2013 keep trying, chances are you’ll find your type!<\/p>\n Have we convinced you yet? The myths and legends about yoga are common, but now you know better. All seven yoga misconceptions: debunked!<\/p>\n Yoga is an ancient practice, often shrouded in mystery. But mysterious doesn\u2019t mean bad. If you\u2019re interested in core strength, balance and a greater mind\/body connection, then head to the mat!<\/p>\n Are you a yoga instructor looking to start your own yoga studio? Or a seasoned studio owner looking for a better business management solution<\/a>? Look no further than WellnessLiving! We offer an all-in-one yoga studio management software<\/a> build for studio owners, by studio owners. Ready to increase zen and your client list? Book a free, no-commitment demo<\/a> with\u202fWellnessLiving today!<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" There are a lot of yoga misconceptions out there, ranging from the wild to the completely unfounded! Whether you\u2019re a new yogi or you already have a steady practice, you\u2019ve likely heard many of the most common misconceptions that have followed yoga around for years. Maybe you even believe a […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":10213,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"disable_featured_image":false,"_lmt_disableupdate":"","_lmt_disable":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[1184],"tags":[628,2277,609,2311,499,2276],"class_list":["post-10134","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-yoga","tag-business-management","tag-expert-advice","tag-marketing","tag-mobile-apps","tag-rewards-program","tag-software"],"yoast_head":"\n1. Yoga is Only for Women<\/h2>\n
![\"yoga](\"\/knowledge-sharing\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/04\/Yoga-Misconceptions-1.jpg\")
2. Yoga is Only for Flexible People<\/h2>\n
3. Yoga is Just Stretching, Not a \u201cReal\u201d Workout<\/h2>\n
4. Yoga is Just Another Health Trend<\/h2>\n
5. Yoga is a Religious Practice<\/h2>\n
6. The More Difficult the Pose, the Better<\/h2>\n
![\"yoga](\"\/knowledge-sharing\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/04\/Yoga-Misconceptions-2.jpg\")
7. All Yoga is the Same<\/h2>\n
To be clear\u2026<\/h2>\n