I’m not flexible enough; I can’t even touch my toes.....
We hear this lot. It’s a bit like saying you can’t take a French language class because you can’t speak French. If you take the class you’ll learn to speak some French, albeit not fluently at first, but a little. And it’s the same with yoga. If you take a yoga class your flexibility will improve. You may not be able to touch your toes at first but you will see an improvement every time you try.
It’s not going to give me a good workout
There is a good chance no matter how much you bench press or how far you can run , you’ll find yoga challenging. There are many different types of yoga and if you’re after a good workout you should try a Vinyasa, power or Ashtanga yoga class. These are a dynamic, vigorous practice which will work every part of your body and leave you feeling energised and invigorated. You’ll also feel like you’ve had a workout for sure.
I can’t do yoga – I have a pain, injury, illness...
If you feel up to it and your doctor has given you the OK , a gentle /basic yoga class may be a great way to ease you back into physical activity. Most poses have a modified version and some poses you can skip. It’s not a competition. The practise is your practice. Every ‘body’ is different, differences aren’t deficits. There will be things you can do right now, things you will be able to do in time and things you will never be able to do. It’s all good. There are many conditions when yoga can actually help. These include PMS, back and neck pain, depression and diabetes among many others.
Yoga is for women
Women do usually outnumber the men in the class, however we see quite a number of men in each class. Often people use yoga to enhance their sport – you see a lot of top golfers and footballers practising yoga . And yes, some poses are easier for women ( flexible hips etc) however guys often have the advantage in poses that require upper body strength.
It’s all about sitting around navel gazing. That’s not for me....
There is a lot more to yoga than exercise , and yes we do ‘om’ at the beginning and end of class and often there is chanting and breathing exercises . And this why yoga is not simply a stretch class. You can make the most amazing shapes but it doesn’t mean you are practising yoga. Yoga is an ancient form of exercise that focuses on strength, flexibility and breathing to boost physical and mental wellbeing. The main components of yoga are indeed the postures (a series of movements designed to increase strength and flexibility) and breathing. And this is why yoga can be practised by everyone. A breathing exercise ( pranyama ) can give you huge benefits on its own , as can meditation and/or equally so can a great dynamic workout. By incorporating all the elements of yoga you increase your whole well being.
So ... forget the excuses, it’s really worth making time for yoga.
Yoga increases strength and flexibility and can help decrease stress. It can also improve respiration, heart health, and sleep quality to name just a few of the benefits .
With evidence of yoga’s benefits mounting , why not find out for yourself. And because I’m sure you’ll see the benefit straight away – your first class is free.
Come to my Ashtanga yoga class at Great Park Community Centre .
Every Sunday at 9am ..
We also have mats so just bring yourself – it’s that easy.
