BUSTING 7 COMMON MYTHS ABOUT YOGA

This is an authored article written by Ankita Jhunjhunwala, senior yoga trainer with The Art of Living. Times Now does not take any responsibility for the content as it is purely the author's opinion.

In the past few years, the practice of yoga has reached new heights and changed billions of lives. It has become a tool for uniting people worldwide and the UN finally has dedicated a day to celebrate it annually on the 21st of June, acknowledging its universality. The popularity of yogic practices and the myths around them have skyrocketed. These myths often hinder people from comprehending the true nature of Yoga. Let’s bust some of these myths with Ankita Jhunjhunwala, senior yoga trainer with The Art of Living.

Myth 1: Yoga is only for the flexible people

Social media platforms often associate Yoga with highly athletic and flexible people performing extraordinary poses but everyone doesn’t have that level of flexibility.

Practising simpler Asanas or postures daily can surely help us gain a certain level of flexibility. Starting with something easy like chair Yoga or Surya Namashkars can help anyone begin their yogic journey. So to say that Yoga is only for flexible people is not right. Art of Living emphasizes Yoga is more than just a physical activity. It is a path through which people come to know themselves and the world around them. Yoga is a skill in action. It improves our skills to communicate, observe, and perceive the world better.

Myth 2: Yoga is Boring

Many assume that Yoga is boring and slow-paced when in reality there is more to Yoga than meets the eye. One also needs to look at it from a spiritual eye to fully benefit from this beautiful science of yoga.

Global spiritual master and humanitarian, Gurudev Sri Sri Ravi Shankar says, “What you find boring today, you may find it very interesting tomorrow. It is all about going beyond this ever-changing mind. Boredom is just a repetition without interest or love. This causes a monotony and overshadows the Self. Spiritual practices such as yoga are again a repetition but whose purpose is to destroy boredom and reunite you with the Self. A practice itself creates boredom, but as you continue, you penetrate the boredom and destroy it once and for all. Whether the practice gives you joy or boredom, it must be continued. Only with your spiritual practices, can you overcome the mind. The Highest Self is love and love is always repetitive. Love letters are simply repetitive and yet there is no boredom there.”

Myth 3: Yoga is like aerobics

Gurudev answers this beautifully, “An asana you practice is not just aerobics because asana has to be done by aligning the breath and with awareness. For example, if you are lifting your arm, you are fully aware that you are lifting your arm. In yoga, the body, mind and breath are all united. It is like a slow-moving dance leading from one posture to another. Initially, you put effort, stretch a little bit and then you let go and relax. That is how you practice an asana.”

Myth 4: Yoga is a religious practice

A common misconception about Yoga is that it is a religious practice. Yoga, though born in India, belongs to the entire humanity. We cannot limit any knowledge to geography or faith. If we limit the knowledge, then it ceases to be universal, it loses its dignity. Though Yoga was conceived in ancient tradition it doesn’t limit itself to a set of ideologies or theories. It opens itself to the whole world. Neither does it interfere with anybody’s belief system. “It is like you don’t become Italian by eating an Italian pizza, or you don’t become German by driving a German car, similarly Yoga does not interfere with your faith or nationality. If anything, it makes your faith stronger. We have to see yoga as a science of well-being. Nobody should be deprived of it because everyone has a right to peace.”, says Gurudev.

Myth 5: Yoga is a Sport

Another misconception about Yoga is that it is a kind of sport. While it does involve physical postures and motions similar to a sport in reality it is much more than that. According to Maharishi Patanjali, the propounder of yoga, the eight limbs of Yoga are - Yama (restraint), Niyama (rules of discipline), asana (posture), pranayama (breathing), pratyahara (sensory withdrawal), dharana (concentration), dhyana (meditation) and samadhi (bliss). When we incorporate these eight limbs into our lives, we notice a fundamental transformation within us.

“Yoga helps us move from weakness to strength, and from sadness to leading a happy and healthy life,” Gurudev says.

In sports, the focus is always on the physical ability while Yoga focuses on awareness, self-realization and connecting with one’s highest self.

Myth 6: A Real Man Doesn’t Do Yoga

Yoga is considered as an inferior and feminine practice by many. However, Yoga is not gender specific. In ancient Vedic times, both men and women had equal access to meditation and yogic practices. Even today, men not only practice Yoga but a significant number of them pursue careers in Yoga to create a better and healthier world. The Art of Living encourages everyone regardless of gender to actively take part in Yoga to stay healthy, stress-free and happy.

Myth 7: For yoga, you don’t need to meditate

“Meditation is like the soul and everything else is like a dressing on it,” Gurudev shares, “It is the real substance. You cannot have a body without a soul and a soul cannot be without a body. “

In the end, myths or misconceptions can be dispelled with appropriate knowledge and experience. Don’t let these myths keep you away from experiencing the beauty of Yoga. Become one with it, let it guide you and shape you into a better version of yourself.

2024-06-24T04:10:18Z dg43tfdfdgfd