Let's debunk some major misconceptions about yoga, shall we?

𝟭. 𝗬𝗼𝗴𝗮 𝗶𝘀 𝗳𝗼𝗿 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗳𝗹𝗲𝘅𝗶𝗯𝗹𝗲

If I had a penny for every person who says that they're too stiff to do yoga. It's like saying you're too dirty to have a shower. Think about that. We’re not all super flexible and that’s okay, but that’s something yoga is great at: increasing strength and flexibility.

𝟮. 𝗬𝗼𝗴𝗮 𝗶𝘀 𝗷𝘂𝘀𝘁 𝘀𝘁𝗿𝗲𝘁𝗰𝗵𝗶𝗻𝗴, 𝗻𝗼𝘁 𝗮 “𝗿𝗲𝗮𝗹” 𝘄𝗼𝗿𝗸𝗼𝘂𝘁

Whilst science has proved that yoga doesn't achieve aerobic-type workouts (so you need to complement your practice with some cardio to look after your heart), come to my class and you'll break a sweat. My classes focus on building strength and flexibility. Check out what my Google reviews say about gains in strength, endurance, balance, flexibility and general wellbeing improvement.

𝟯. 𝗬𝗼𝗴𝗮 𝗶𝘀 𝗷𝘂𝘀𝘁 𝗮𝗻𝗼𝘁𝗵𝗲𝗿 𝗵𝗲𝗮𝗹𝘁𝗵 𝘁𝗿𝗲𝗻𝗱

Yoga has steadily gained popularity over the last century, but it is certainly no fad. Yoga has been around for thousands of years but of course, it has evolved. It's a dynamic discipline and that's why it's still growing steadily. Latin is a dead language because it didn't adapt. Yoga has been around so long... because it works.

𝟰. 𝗬𝗼𝗴𝗮 𝗶𝘀 𝗳𝗼𝗿 𝘄𝗼𝗺𝗲𝗻

One of the most long-standing yoga misconceptions is that it’s a practice for women. This is far from accurate. Yoga is equally beneficial to women and men. Yoga is for every-body, all shapes and sizes.

𝟱. 𝗬𝗼𝗴𝗮 𝗶𝘀 𝗮 𝗿𝗲𝗹𝗶𝗴𝗶𝗼𝘂𝘀 𝗽𝗿𝗮𝗰𝘁𝗶𝗰𝗲

Yoga has been linked to Hinduism but actually, yoga was before it. Yoga is a physical practice with a spiritual intention but it's not a religious one. What does it mean then? The practice goes beyond stretching and strengthening of muscles. The holistic effect that is attained through yoga enables practitioners to not only improve their physical health but also their emotions, mentality and concentration.

𝟲. 𝗧𝗵𝗲 𝗺𝗼𝗿𝗲 𝗱𝗶𝗳𝗳𝗶𝗰𝘂𝗹𝘁 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗽𝗼𝘀𝗲, 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗯𝗲𝘁𝘁𝗲𝗿

More difficult poses don’t make you a better yogi. The inner work is where it's at. It's the failures, the disappointments, the frustrations, the moments you want to give up but pick yourself back up and show up the next day. Wherever you meet your challenge is where your yoga begins. If someone needs a more “advanced” pose to find their edge, then that’s their edge. If you find your edge in the first breath of the practice consider yourself lucky.

𝟳. 𝗔𝗹𝗹 𝘆𝗼𝗴𝗮 𝗶𝘀 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝘀𝗮𝗺𝗲

There are many styles to choose from and even more teachers to share their knowledge with you. I personally think that yoga is for everyone but not every teacher is for everyone. I think that you need to feel connected to your teacher to want to learn from them. Group class isn't for everyone. Different atmospheres, class sizes and class types can make a world of difference to your experience. But foremost, keep curious, keep patient and keep conviction for doing it for you.

I always thought yoga is some hippie mumbo jumbo... You can still see where this culture has been hijacked by hemp-trouser-wearing hippies or appropriated by YogaButt type of hybrid fitness programmes. This isn't to say either is bad. These are just examples of the opposite sides of the yoga-see-saw phenomenon.

What surprised you most about yoga?