| Have you ever thought of practicing yoga yet feel | | | | for older aged people. As they say "you are as old as |
| you are too fat, too stiff or too old to start classes? | | | | you feel." My oldest student is a 92 year old lady, |
| Maybe you are pregnant and would like to attend a | | | | who practices yoga in her wheel chair. |
| yoga class, but you worry the class may be too | | | | Myth 4: You have to be a vegetarian to practice |
| challenging for you. | | | | yoga. |
| There are many myths and preconceptions about | | | | Many people who practice yoga eat meat and fish. |
| yoga. As a yoga teacher, I receive lots of inquiries | | | | The foods you eat have a major influence on your |
| from new students who voice their fears and | | | | energy levels. As a source of energy, food can either |
| concerns about yoga. | | | | drain or energise you. Yoga philosophy views all life as |
| This article is designed to help dispel some of the | | | | energy. The food you eat provides energy and |
| common misconceptions I receive. See how many of | | | | serves to repair, strengthen and protect your body |
| the following five myths you can identify with. | | | | from disease. |
| Five Popular Myths About Yoga | | | | From a yogic perspective, energy can be viewed in |
| Myth 1: Yoga is only for super-bendy-flexible people. | | | | three forms, known as the three gunas - satva, rajas |
| It does not matter how inflexible, stiff or tense you | | | | and tamas. |
| are, yoga can help you become more flexible and | | | | Sattvic foods are foods which are pure, natural and |
| open. Yoga is for everyone. Yoga encourages you to | | | | whole, e.g. fresh fruit and vegetable, seeds, nuts, |
| accept your body and to treat each yoga class as if | | | | wholemeal foods. These foods nourish the body and |
| it were your first ever class. Some days, your hips | | | | promote a calm and harmonising effect on the body; |
| may feel tense, other days, more open and relaxed. | | | | Rajasic foods are foods which are very hot, bitter, |
| It really does not matter how flexible you are. The | | | | sour or salty. They have a stimulating effect on the |
| most important thing is to regular show-up and | | | | body and lead to you feeling over stimulated and |
| practice. | | | | excited, these foods include coffee, strong herbs and |
| Myth 2: Yoga is yet another | | | | spices, chocolate. Eating too many rajasic foods |
| hyped-up-new-age-exercise class | | | | weaken your internal sense of balance and calm. |
| Yoga is over 5,000 years old. Its roots are steeped | | | | Tamasic foods have no energy. They are considered |
| in the ancient history of the civilisation of the Indus | | | | to have no life and deaden your energy. Foods, such |
| Valley. Yoga is more than "just another exercise | | | | as meat, alcohol, highly processed foods are |
| class". Traditionally, yoga was practiced as a form of | | | | considered tamasic. |
| spiritual devotion and meditation to enable individuals | | | | From this perspective, as you practice yoga you |
| to experience unity and oneness with the Divine. | | | | develop a greater sense of inner calm and balance. |
| In essence, yoga provides a philosophy of living in | | | | You become attuned to your environment and |
| harmony with all. It emphasises the need to live a | | | | gravitate towards eating more sattvic foods which |
| healthy, natural way of life and for you to see the | | | | naturally support you to maintain inner balance and |
| good and beauty in all. Nowadays, many people, | | | | calm. |
| particularly in the Western world, see yoga as a form | | | | Myth 5: Yoga is a religion. |
| of relaxation and exercise. | | | | Yoga is multi-faceted. Yoga students come from all |
| Myth 3: Yoga is too hard and not suitable for people | | | | walks of life, social background and faiths. It is a |
| over 50 years old | | | | holistic way of living as well as the most diversified |
| Regardless of your age, you can practice yoga. An | | | | spiritual practice in the world. Crossing over many |
| experienced yoga teacher will be able to adapt poses | | | | cultures (including Hinduism, Buddhism, Jainism and |
| and exercises to meet your individual needs. There | | | | Christianity) The practice of yoga, with its emphasis |
| are various styles and schools of yoga, ranging from | | | | on cultivating inner peace and harmony can support |
| very gentle classes to more dynamic lessons. | | | | you to strengthen your faith. |
| Many of today's health problems, for example, | | | | If you could identify with any of these myths, I hope |
| digestive disorders, arthritis, high blood pressure, are | | | | this article encourages you to face your fears and |
| made worse by lack of exercise, poor dietary habits | | | | sign up for your first yoga class. |
| and shallow breathing. Yoga, with its emphasis on | | | | Let me know, if you are aware of any other myths |
| healthy living, e.g. eating wholesome natural foods, | | | | or preconceptions you are others may have about |
| correct breathing, rest and positive thinking are ideal | | | | yoga and I'll do my best to answer your concerns. |