| Yoga and India aren't strangers, yet we find Yoga's | | | | day cares. |
| popularity suddenly spiking after it's embraced by the | | | | Myth no.5: Only women do Yoga |
| west. It has become the thing to do to be fit with | | | | Even though most of the followers of yoga may be |
| celebrities swearing by it. It is as if Yoga is a 'novel' | | | | the women, yoga is definitely also for men. If you |
| concept or is reinvented by the west. After it has | | | | observe, most of the famous practitioners or |
| become the 'in' thing, there are two sets of people- the | | | | instructors they all are men. If men feel yoga is only |
| ones who do it and others who don't. Most of people | | | | about some postures and for flexibility, they should |
| who do it, adopt yoga for life while the others don't | | | | remember that yoga has so much to offer men like |
| want to do it because of the myths around it or don't | | | | strengthening and toning muscles, relaxing and |
| know how. | | | | releasing stress. |
| Here, we will try to break the common myths about | | | | Myth no 6: Yoga should only be done in the morning |
| yoga. | | | | You would be able to reap the best results of yoga if |
| Myth no.1: Yoga is only for the young and fit. | | | | you do it in the morning. But if your schedule is what's |
| "Yoga takes care of the complete well being of a | | | | stopping you from practicing it in the morning, don't |
| person. It doesn't have an age barrier and can be done | | | | worry. You can practice yoga at whatever time of the |
| by anyone who is over the age of 12" says Meena | | | | day as per your convenience but make sure you |
| Joshi, a yoga instructor with degree from Kalidas | | | | practice it after at least 2 hours of meals. |
| University. Yoga in fact is good for the problems that | | | | Myth no. 7: Asanas + Prananyam = Yogarelaxation |
| come with old age like arthritis, blood pressure; it helps | | | | and yogaThough it is partly correct, Yoga is much |
| us to age well and improve immunity. | | | | more than Asanas or postures. Postures along with |
| Myth no.2: You have to be really flexible to do | | | | breathing exercises definitely improve your health and |
| Yoga.flexibilty and yoga | | | | lifestyle but they are not the ultimate destination of |
| Most common images associated with yoga are of | | | | yoga. "The aim is to have better self understanding |
| people either standing on the head or being fixed in | | | | and gain self acceptance. There are eight components |
| positions you wouldn't dream of reaching. But don't fret, | | | | of Yoga- Yama, niyama, asana, pranayama, |
| they might be pro at yoga but "one of the basic | | | | pratyahaar,dharana, dhyaan and samadhi which look |
| principle of yoga is 'Shanai, Shanai' or 'take it slowly'. | | | | into overall lifestyle and even behavior. These aspects |
| You aren't expected to touch your toes or twist your | | | | have not been focused upon a lot by the teachers but |
| neck in the beginning. Do only what you are | | | | it wrong to reduce yoga to fitness" Meena Joshi |
| comfortable with. There is no 'ideal' level of flexibility; it | | | | strongly believes. |
| differs from person to person" she says. | | | | Myth no.8: Learning Yoga is boring |
| Myth no.3: Yoga provides magical cures | | | | If meditation and postures make you believe that yoga |
| Just starting yoga and expecting all the ailments to | | | | is boring and serious. Then it is not so. You will get |
| vanish isn't going to work. Yoga is very good for | | | | plenty of laughs when stretch all you might, you don't |
| maintaining good health and taking care of the nervous | | | | reach the toes. The serious expression on people's |
| system. But you really have to be consistent to reap all | | | | faces while concentrating is also a cause to laugh out |
| the benefits of yoga. So don't put away your | | | | loud. In some classes, they have incorporated 'hasya |
| medication as soon as you start yoga, take proper | | | | yoga' or laughter yoga as part of the yoga classes, it |
| medical guidance before doing so. | | | | starts with chuckles and giggles and then into belly |
| Myth no.4: Doing yoga is all about spiritualismyoga and | | | | laughs. It acts very well to reduce stress and break |
| spiritualismThough Yoga was founded by the rishis, it is | | | | the serious mood. |
| not bounded by religion nor has it to be adopted only | | | | Now that most of the myths are broken, you can try |
| by those interested in spirituality. Yoga can be adopted | | | | yoga for better health. Even if it doesn't lead to |
| by anybody with or without religious inclination. Yoga | | | | immediate weight loss, it is definitely a good way to |
| can provide the much needed relaxation and peace in | | | | gain flexibility, fitness, improve immunity and relieve |
| today's hectic lifestyle. So, yoga is more relevant for | | | | stress. |
| you and me than a person already away from every | | | | |