| There are many myths which surround Yoga. Most of | | | | represent all forms of Yoga. If Hatha Yoga were the |
| them are circulated by people who have never | | | | only style in existence, it still would require teachers |
| practiced Yoga of any kind. Yet, there are some | | | | with experience and deep knowledge on a vast |
| myths about Yoga, which have been accepted as | | | | subject. |
| fact, by Yoga practitioners. It is difficult to shatter an | | | | Any child can perform amazing athletic feats of |
| "urban legend, but let's look at one of them. | | | | flexibility, but would you place your absolute faith in the |
| "An advanced Yogi can perform amazing postures | | | | ability of a child to teach you Hatha Yoga? Would you |
| and feats of physical prowess." | | | | be concerned about your safety, your physical limits, |
| While this can be true, and Hatha Yoga practice can | | | | and the teacher's experience level? |
| lead to physical mastery, feats of physical prowess | | | | "Experience" is a keyword, because experience is |
| can be performed by young people, who never | | | | what really separates the advanced Yoga practitioner |
| practiced any form of Yoga before. Please bear in | | | | from the rest. An experienced Hatha Yoga teacher |
| mind that there are many forms of Yoga, which are | | | | will guide you through the many aspects of Yoga, such |
| not based upon physical exercise. | | | | as: Asana, Meditation, Pranayama, Mudra, Bandha, |
| Bhakti Yoga, Jnana Yoga, and Karma Yoga, are | | | | Yama, Niyama, and much more. |
| primary forms of Yoga, which have advanced | | | | If you are practicing in a Hatha Yoga class, which |
| practitioners, who do not have to perform physical | | | | contains postures, but does not contain meditation or |
| feats to be known as "advanced." Mohandas | | | | Pranayama, you are probably practicing "Yoga |
| Karamchand Gandhi, was an advanced Karma Yogi, | | | | Fitness." There is a saying: "Half a loaf is better than |
| who inspired non-violent civil rights movements within | | | | none." This has never been truer than it is in the case |
| India, and around the world. | | | | of Hatha Yoga's exposure to the world. |
| The flaw in all of this "labeling" of Yoga practitioners as | | | | It may take generations before Yoga practitioners |
| advanced, intermediate, and beginner, stems from the | | | | stop to read the Hatha Yoga Pradipika by Swami |
| idea that Yoga is a physical exercise. Pilates and | | | | Swatmarama. The Yoga Sutras, by Maharshi Patanjali, |
| weight lifting are physical exercise systems, and they | | | | also deserve more contemporary attention. At this |
| require a mental presence in their practice. All forms of | | | | time, there are many Yoga books to read, but the |
| Yoga require a mental, physical, and spiritual presence | | | | classics are worthy of note, and should be "required |
| in the practice. | | | | reading" for advanced Yoga practitioners. |
| Hatha Yoga (union by physical mastery) does not | | | | |