Let’s clear up the “Y” in yoga.

I wish to demystify common misconceptions regarding yoga and encourage you to embark on an expedition to your first yoga class. Y, yoga is for you? Your physical fitness, your flexibility, your stress reduction, your inner peace.

Main concerns I often hear from people are, that they just aren’t flexible enough, or they would feel clumsy and foolish in front of others in a class. First we need to realize that yoga is for every body. Whether you are loose as a ragdoll, stiff as a board, fit and coordinated, or round and clumsy as a couch potato, there is a class to suit your individual needs. It’s personal. You’re alone working with your body, even in a class full of people. The benefits of yoga go directly to you. Yoga is a science, a philosophy, a discipline. It’s physical, phycological and spiritual.

A yoga class consists of therapeutic postures that engage the body, mind, breath and spirit. Yoga is as much to do with physical strength as it is about inner strength. Yoga is there, for us to cope better with life situations, as we never know what will come our way, we have an inner sanctuary in which we can all reach to in times of need.

Yoga is not a religion. Yoga is an individual pursuit of underlying principles to promote honouring, acceptance, non-violence to the self and unto others. We better learn to accept each individual as they are in that present moment.

First priority, before jumping into a yoga class, is establishing what it is you hope for in a practice. Intention. Is it to release muscle tension, ease a chronic sore back, alleviate stress, anxiety, headache and depression. Tone up and look great. Learn to relax and let go, explore a new spiritual side of life, or simply pay respects to this body in which we reside in? These are all valid motivations. With a consistent practice of yoga you can receive these benefits and more. We do have to however remove expectations of our practice and know that this is not just a quick fix program. Only patience and regular attendance will provide you with the self-confidence, self-awareness, self-acceptance and a sense of humour to be more light on life.

So give it a try, I doubt you will be dissappointed.