YOGA- Common Myths

I would like to start a discussion here about the various myths that surround yoga.  Some of the very common comments  that I hear all the time  are:
- Yoga will be too difficult for me as I am not at all flexible
- I cant do yoga , I cant even sit still for a minute
- Yoga is not for me, it is too slow 
- Yoga is all about sitting and chanting 'Aum'
- Yoga is too challenging and requires you to really push yourself
-Yoga is about twisting and contorting your body into impossible shapes
- I cant get any real workout from yoga
- Yoga  is religion based

Let us start with the first stumbling block - 

Yoga will be too difficult for me as I am not all flexible
As a yoga teacher and practitioner, let me tell you when I started my first yoga class  and was  asked to bend down to touch my toes , my arms remained hanging half way in the air.  I almost decided to quit after 3 classes as I could not bear the thought of looking at others who were comfortable standing in the classic tree pose for a length of time. Fortunately, I had an excellent Yoga Guru, who could sense my discomfort and made me continue my yoga journey. He made me realize that it is YOGA that will make me flexible, it is YOGA that will give me the balance, it is YOGA that will give me the core strength, it is YOGA that will improve my coordination and it is YOGA that will bring me peace and stability of mind.  I continued and  10 classes onward there was no looking back. My commitment and persistence to continue with my YOGA journey has brought me to where I am today and I am still continuing to learn and explore new insights. 

At our YOGA centre I first encourage members to start with a beginners YOGA course and slowly move on to other classes as and when they feel comfortable. The beginners yoga classes eases you onto your yoga journey at a pace that is suitable for you.  The basic foundation elements of yoga are taught in a friendly environment so as not over power you with complex postures right in the beginning. More stress is laid on good breathing techniques and to positioning the body to get into various postures.  The classes have an element of guided relaxation towards the end of each class. Class size is limited to 10 people so that I can get to know each one of you and work at your pace. In my class that there is no bench mark, you create your own  for the day and try to make it better when you come next time. You don’t have to look at what others are doing. You have your own positives and my aim is to enhance those positives through YOGA and add more positives to your yoga list. So do remember your YOGA LIST is your own and of course is different from others.  

I will continue with this first myth over the next month and would welcome your thoughts, experiences and comments