I’ve been practicing yoga for 15 years and teaching for 4. These are the most common assumptions, misconceptions and myths my students walk into the studio believing. If you can overcome these assumptions, showing up for yourself on your mat becomes easy!
Yoga is hard.
This one is partially true. Yoga can be hard, both physically and mentally. But yoga can also be joyful, easeful, and gentle. There are near infinite styles of yoga and techniques out there. Some include Ashtanga yoga, deep stretch, deep release, hatha yoga, hot yoga, Kundalini yoga, power yoga, restorative yoga, and vinyasa yoga. The list goes on! You should try different types of yoga classes to see what comes easily to you at first and make time your week for those. Easeful or restful practices for you may include Urban Zen and Restorative yoga.
Terminology got you down? Most studios list descriptions for each class. So, if your studio offers ‘Sekoia yoga’ and you’re unfamiliar with what that means, read the class description, which should walk you through what to expect in class. When you arrive at the studio you can also ask the front desk staff or the instructor themselves for guidance. We are here to help you have a good experience on your mat!
Generally trying something new can be hard and sometimes scary, so bring a friend with you to try a new teacher or new studio together.
Yoga should be a workout to be ‘worth my time’.
False! The benefits of yoga extend beyond the physical (ie. flexibility, strength). Yoga can bring ease to the mind and soul. A slow, gentle class where you lie in a handful of supported postures and breathe can impart a sense of pure bliss that the most vigorous hot yoga class may not be able to replicate. If that’s not worth your time, I don’t know what is!
Give yourself permission to do yoga because it makes you happy or because it makes you kinder to yourself and others around you. Focus on the non-physical benefits of the practice because that’s what will keep you coming back week after week.
Everyone in class is ‘better’ than me at yoga.
Look. I get it. During a studio practice your eyes may naturally wander. Imagine it: You’re practicing yoga, focusing on your own breath, and suddenly the student next to you transitions into a handstand. Your brain goes into overdrive. “What? The teacher didn’t cue that pose. Wow, that looks hard. I can’t do that. I’m not as good at yoga as they are.”
I’ve struggled with this mindset myself because I have this terrible habit of comparing myself to others. So I get it. This comparison mindset can ruin your whole class experience.
So notice what you notice. When someone does a posture or transition that you do not know how to do or cannot yet do, notice if emotions or judgements come up for you; then, return to your breath and your own body or the feeling of weight in your feet or hands. And continue on. Each time you notice yourself judging yourself or someone else, practice this mindfulness technique.
Yoga is only for flexible people.
Few people start doing yoga and are already flexible unless they are a literal infant or happened to do dance or gymnastics growing up. Most people come to my yoga classes with tight, inflexible hips and hamstrings. They cannot touch their toes and often are working through low back pain or neck pain or an injury.
I went to a yoga class and didn’t like it, so I don’t like yoga.
Yoga teachers, even when we teach the exact same type of yoga class, have widely different teaching styles and personalities. If you went to one yoga class in the past and didn’t like it, that may be because you didn’t love the teacher or connect with their teaching style.
At your local studio, you should try a bunch of classes from all of the teachers. Only that way will you find the teacher who you like and who teaches great, consistent classes. That will make showing up on your mat for class easy.
I can’t do every pose, so I can’t do yoga.
I’ve been doing yoga for 15 years. There are lots of poses I cannot do, including but not limited to:
- Crow
- Flying pigeon
- The splits (Hanumanasana)
- Eight Angle Pose (Astavakrasana)
- Handstand
Yoga is more than just a series of the very hardest poses that you push yourself into and risk injury. As long as you attempt to link breath with movement, to move mindfully, you’re doing yoga. As you build flexibility and strength more yoga poses may become accessible, but based on how your body is built and your anatomy, some poses may not be possible for you to achieve. That is normal and fine!
Be bold! Call yourself a yogi because you show up for yourself on your mat. You are a practitioner of yoga no matter how flexible you are and no matter if this is your first or 4,001st class or if you took a long break from yoga and are just getting back to the studio.
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