"Yoga, an ancient but perfect science, deals with the evolution of humanity. This evolution includes all aspects of one's being, from bodily health to self realization. Yoga means union—the union of body with consciousness and consciousness with the soul. Yoga cultivates the ways of maintaining a balanced attitude in day to day life and endows skill in the performance of one's actions." – B.K.S. Iyengar
The practice of yoga is life altering, each and every day. It is a practice incorporating the mind, body, and spirit. It can cause health and happiness. But first, let's get some common misconceptions out of the way.
Yoga is not a practice only for the youthful, fitness freaks. Anyone and everyone can practice yoga, no matter what age or fitness level. I've seen every generation practice yoga, from a five year old to a 90 year old grandmother.
Yoga is not just about vegans and green juice. Yes, many incorporate the yogic practice of Ahimsa, or non-violence, and choose to have compassion towards themselves, other humans, animals, and the Earth by living a vegan lifestyle. Many yogis, however, still choose to eat meat and pass on the green juice. But who says you can't have both?
Yoga is not just for super thin, tall bodies. Again, yoga is for anyone, no matter what body type. All shapes and sizes are welcome, and all shapes and sizes work just as hard during the practice.
Yoga is not just about simply being flexible. It doesn't even matter if you can't touch your toes—I guarantee one day you will be able to. Yoga is actually more strength than flexibility. Although flexibility can help get you into certain poses and will increase throughout practice, strength dominates. Holding poses and building muscle requires strength. No need to worry, however, if you aren't a body builder before you start yoga. The strength will come, and one day you'll suddenly be able to hold a pose you couldn't even do the day or week before.
Yoga is also not just about meditation and stretching. In fact, stretching is not necessarily even yoga. And although yoga has a restorative yin side, it also has a yang side. Some people prefer the calm classes while others prefer a challenging workout. Fortunately, your practice is all your own and just what you make of it. Similarly, if you're one to take classes at a studio, all types of classes are available to suit everyone's preference.
Yoga is also not just about Bikram and 100 degree studios. Yoga is not even just about the physical practice. Yoga is also about what happens off the mat and how you react to it.
Yoga is not for the faint of heart. It will kick your butt—in a good way. Yoga can be tough, but it makes you even tougher. You'll be sweaty, your muscles will be shaking, and you might fall asleep in Savasana (corpse pose) at the end. But you are growing, physically gaining muscle, emotionally withstanding great challenges, and spiritually developing into who you are meant to be and where you are meant to go.
Yoga will change your life for the better. The way you think will begin to shift, and you will be able to react differently and probably more calmly than before. The little worries in life may no longer bother you because they come and go. You can stop the constant chitta, or mind chatter, and focus on only one task at once.
You really will feel peaceful, relaxed, and content. No matter how hard or athletic the physical practice was, you'll end smiling from ear to ear. Happiness comes naturally when you have an outlet to relieve stress, exercise a bit, and quiet the mind.
My yoga instructor always says at the end of class that we are no longer the same people as we were when we entered the studio. The practice on the mat changes your body, especially physically, by sweating out the toxins and getting rid of the impurities.
That practice on the mat prepares you for your time off the mat. Life is going to throw curveballs and put you in tough situations. Instead of freaking out and running away from your problems, you'll be ready to face them head on, like the warrior you are.
“Yoga is the journey of the self, through the self, to the self.” – Excerpt from ancient Indian text, the "Bhagavad Gita"
