THE PRACTICE OF YOGA is a self healing journey, intended for anyone who wishes to embrace it. Many misconceptions have developed over the years suggesting that certain elements are required such as a specific body type, flexibility level, and a full closet of fancy yoga clothes. None of this is required. Stop worrying and show up! Who knows, you may even like it.
Here are 10 Yoga Class Worries Debunked
1) I don’t know what I’m doing, I’ll be a burden and slow down the class
We know what you’re thinking. Everyone in the class knows each other and they have been attending for months. They know the postures, they know the mantras, they know everything and the last thing you want to be is the new guy in the corner slowing everybody down. There is a misconception that you need to know what you are doing in order to attend a yoga class, this could not be further from the truth. Yoga teachers are accustomed to having new faces in the class, when we take off for a month to attend yoga teacher training, we learn how to instruct a multilevel class, we learn how to help you feel comfortable.
2) I’m not flexible
This is the one that we hear most often. We want you to know, you do not have to be flexible to attend yoga class. Think of it this way, stating that you can’t go to yoga because you are not flexible is like saying you can’t go to the gym because you are not strong. You go to the gym to improve your strength, you to go yoga to improve your flexibility (and much more). The reality is, there might be one or two people in the class that can touch their toes. it doesn’t matter, we are happy to see you in class, trying your best.
3) I can’t meditate, my mind won’t slow down
There is a myth that when you sit down you should be able to quiet your mind. The mind generates thousands of thoughts per second. The practice of meditation helps you sit quietly and turn the focus inward, increasing the awareness of the activity in the background of your mind. In yoga class we use mantra and other points of focus to assist with managing distractions of the mind. The mantra processes the thoughts making it easier to stop evaluating and reacting.
4) Everyone else in the class will watch me
Yoga is a practice of self awareness. The student next to you is focused on their own practice, not yours. The only person that will watch you closely is the teacher.
5) I don’t have the right body type
There is no “right” body type. We see people of all shapes and sizes, no one size is better than the other. It’s your courage and commitment to your practice that will make the difference.
6) I don’t have the right clothes
If you have a t-shirt and shorts, you have the right clothes. You don’t have to wear yoga pants or a racerback lululemon top. Show up comfortable. You will be in the right clothes.
7) I can’t go to yoga because I have back pain
One of the primary causes of back pain is muscle tension. Many people experience muscle tension from sitting a desk for long periods of time staring at a computer. Working through yoga postures will assist you in stretching and loosening your muscle tension, thus taking the pressure off your back. Be sure to tell your instructor of any injures that you have and always check with a physician before starting yoga if you have back problems or any other injury.
8) I can’t hold the postures that long
A good yoga teacher will push you and encourage you to not give up. A good yoga teacher will also tell you to listen to your body and learn to recognize the difference between unconditioned muscles and structural pain. At the end of the day, it does not matter if you hold the yoga posture for the full duration. If you feel pain and need to come out of the posture, it’s not the end of the world. Don’t stress over it, you tried and next time it will be easier.
9) My friend went to a yoga class and they got hurt
There is this idea out there that one can walk into a yoga class for the very first time and try a backbend. Probably not the best idea, just like running a marathon without training would not be a good idea either. Like any other form of exercise, yoga takes practice. Do your research and find the class that is best suited for you. Yoga studio owners and instructors will be more than happy to talk with you and assist you in determining a class that will be appropriate for you. The best advice we have is, if something hurts STOP.
10) I don’t like to be around people
Most yoga studios have a “respect silence” policy. This means there is minimal chatter in the halls and none in the practice space before class starts. The practice of yoga is an inward journey, it does not require you to be social. People will respect your space.
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