Is Yoga an exercise or a technique, a religion or a philosophy? The answer: it’s all the above.
Nearly ten percent of U.S. adults practice yoga to strengthen the body and mind, improve flexibility and conditioning, relieve stress and improve emotional wellbeing. Dating back to sixth century India, yoga is now practiced in at least 100 different ways (forms), adding to the mystery of knowing which is best for overall health. So, if you’re interested but perplexed, read on as Premera employees Eric Earling and Constance Scott, recent yoga teacher training graduates, dispel common myths.
Myth: Yoga is too slow and boring for a good workout.
Yoga works your muscles, ligaments, and joints through a range of motion exercises, strengthening your core muscles and lengthening your body so you become more flexible, and better balanced and focused. Athletes look to yoga for a range of benefits—from injury prevention to improving stamina.
According to Earling, regardless of what you do to keep healthy, yoga makes everything better and is a perfect addition. “I started yoga by wanting to supplement my exercise regimen with something different,” he says. “It is additive. I wanted to exercise more, but with bad knees, I can no longer cycle or run.”
Scott agrees. “Yoga is the kind of activity that lets you adapt to where your body is at that point in time,” she says. “Perhaps you had a knee injury, for example, and you are reluctant to do specific exercises. With yoga, you can see what’s possible and modify certain poses to accommodate injuries. But just as runners can experience a ‘detox’ or ‘euphoria’, so do those who practice yoga,” says Scott.
Myth: Yoga requires good balance.
The practice of yoga helps you tune into your own body – at that point in time. You focus on what your body is doing. It’s not about judging yourself, but to move and express yourself fully with your body in balance.
“Whatever style of yoga you try, it is very individual,” Scott says. “You do it for yourself and at your own pace. As long as you feel the stretch in the various poses, then it’s working for you. It’s not about going into the perfect pose, because it’s not a competition.”
Myth: Yoga seems like more of a religion than an exercise.
In yoga, you combine the mind and body—the physical, mental, spiritual and emotional. People go to yoga for different reasons. But many people experience emotional benefits that help release the grip of stress on our bodies.
For Earling, the emotional benefits came gradually. “When you first start yoga, you are more focused on the physical aspects like getting familiar with the movements and poses,” he says. “But then a shift happens. You are focused on your body, and then the mental element kicks in, helping to clear your head of everything else going on in your life.”
Myth: Yoga alters your mind.
Most people come out of yoga class calm and centered, which may feel like a very different state of mind.
Earling says, “When people first begin yoga, they may not understand what to expect in the class. The instructor is there to help you get into the right mental state for your body and mind to be balanced.”
Scott adds, “We try to set a stage for people to forget the outside world and focus on themselves, which people are not used to doing. The class is all about movement and relaxation, so that participants can focus on getting the most out of their body. I usually play music that’s soothing, but not expected – not a tune you know – so they go into a different mental place.”
Ready to try yoga? Tips for a good start
- There are many styles of yoga and classes – most popular in the U.S. are the Hatha forms of yoga such as Vinyasa, hot yoga, and Iyengar. Also, there are classes with specific teacher techniques that may emphasize physical concerns, such as pre-natal or injury accommodation.
- If you are a beginner, start with a class in a studio, rather than at home. A teacher can see what you are doing and help correct poses so you don’t injure yourself. In addition, when you have a class to go to, you cannot simply escape and get coffee – you are committed to being there.
- Drink plenty of water during the week before (especially if you do a hot yoga class) so you are hydrated before you go. Eat a snack an hour or so beforehand.
- Invest in a yoga mat and towel. Some yoga studios loan or rent them out but it’s nice to bring your own.
- If you have an injury, ask your doctor about the best style of yoga or if you should limit your exercise. And then arrive at the studio early so that you can chat with the instructor about your injury.
- Approach each class without expectations; be open to what’s happening in the class and how you feel. Don’t anticipate that you can do all of the positions/poses the first time you try them.
- Stay for the entire class – the end (called savasana) is just as important as the previous poses – it helps to wind down your body to reduce stress and tension.