As a yoga teacher I have heard all the excuses as to why people are interested, but never try yoga. Believe it or not, once upon a time I was not a believer in it. I was quickly shown the error of my ways thanks to a dance injury!
My goal here is to inspire you to just try yoga if it is something that interests you. I guarantee you won’t be the best in class your first time, but we have all been there. Just follow the #1 rule in yoga: keep your eyes on your own mat, no comparing allowed.
11 Reasons You Won’t Try Yoga
1. I Am Too Old
There is an eastern philosophy that goes something along the lines of “you are as old as your spine is flexible”, basically meaning the more flexible you are, the younger you will feel.
Have you seen this teacher? She is over 90 years old. She is such an inspirational lady! And can I just say – I hope I look even half that good at 90-something!
2. I Am Not Flexible
You never will be if you don’t start somewhere. It’s a process, and one that is directly related to how much effort you put in. Practice 30 minutes every day and I guarantee you will notice a big difference in the course of 2 weeks.
3. I Am Clumsy
Don’t take yourself so seriously! Everyone has fallen out of poses in yoga. I promise it is not a big deal. I am a teacher and sometimes I still fall. Ya know….yoga is actually the perfect natural remedy for clumsiness and balance!
4. I Am Too Fat
Have you seen this amazing woman? Her name is Jessamyn Stanley. She is a fabulous yoga teacher and body positive advocate. Check out her website. I absolutely love her and what she is doing to break down these stereotypes.
And PS – Skinny is out, STRONG and FIT is the new sexy!
5. I Do Not Want To Say ‘Namaste‘
You do not have to say it. No one will be offended if you don’t. But, if you knew what it meant you might feel differently because it is truly beautiful.
The word ‘Namaste‘ means “the divine in me honors the divine in you”. I have also heard “the divine” referred to as “the light” or “my soul” etc. The point is, it is spiritual and a sign of respect, not religious. Those two things are not one in the same.
6. I Do Not Feel Well/ I Am Injured
You know how there is an app for everything? Well there is a yoga pose for just about all physical ailments. It’s true: nausea, exhaustion, constipation, pulled muscles, low immune system, stiff knees, thyroid problems; there’s a pose for that!
7. I Am Pregnant
Congratulations!! Guess what. Yoga is one of the best workouts for pregnant women. There are even special classes for pregnant women. Yoga will even save you from some of that pesky lower back pain, and hip pain. It can even help with nausea and morning sickness. This kind of exercise will keep your core nice and strong which can possibly make labor slightly shorter and perhaps easier.
Yes, some poses you will want to stay away from, but most of the poses will do nothing but help. Here’s me at 26 weeks pregnant.
Related: 3 Yoga Poses for Nausea
8. I Am Too Tired
Ever heard of restorative yoga? It is designed to relax and rejuvenate. I even once fell asleep in a restorative yoga class. Yes, in class (I was a student, not the teacher this time).
With the candlelight, and soft music, I was so relaxed! No one judged, I was not the first one to do this. Not all yoga is hard work.
9. I Travel Too Much
Check and see if you can find a yoga studio close by, almost all will rent you a mat or you can check out online yoga classes and do them from the comfort of your hotel room. Here is a little, not so big, secret. You don’t need any equipment. I don’t take my mat with me when I travel. The hotel floor is fine by me!
10. It Is Not Challenging Enough/ I Am Really More Of A Weight Lifter
This was exactly my excuse back in the day. Boy was I wrong!!! Yoga works the smaller supporting muscles, not just the big groups. This is why yoga creates the strongest core strength you can imagine.
Ever tried iron yoga? Boy, will that one make you sweaty and sore! All the regular yoga poses with weights added. Yes!
11. It Does Not Go With My Religion
This is a very common misconception, and usually said by someone who has never been to a class.
Yoga is not a religion, or associated with one, nor is it necessarily spiritual, unless you choose to make it that way. When you go to a yoga class aside from what the teacher says, there really is no talking. The teacher is too busy coaching you on breathing and how to move to give you a lesson on spirituality and philosophy. Religion and spirituality were not even discussed in my 200-hour teacher training course, ergo, it won’t be taught in class.
In Conclusion
If you want to try yoga, I do hope that I might have helped clear up a few things on the subject. As I said, I was a real skeptic back in the day. Now, I am a true believer in the benefits of it. As a teacher I have seen so many come through injuries and health conditions and be stronger than they were before, myself included!
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