The seven greatest yoga myths

I am too immobile. It is not exhausting. They are all vegans. There are countless prejudices about the yoga world. We questioned the most common.

Yoga has been booming for years. Especially now in Corona times. After all, it doesn't take more than a mat and two square meters of space. Exercises like the downward looking dog have long stopped causing distraught looks, a yoga teacher among friends is almost a matter of course. And yet, an unbelievable number of (and sometimes absurd) prejudices about the practice are still circulating today. We do away with the most common stereotypes, excuses and claims here.

1. It's not exhausting, everyone can do it

No. Regardless of whether Ashtanga, Vinyasa Flow, Relax, Yin or any other yoga style, the description "not strenuous" is the understatement of the century. Have you ever tried to sit in the meditation seat for five minutes and do "nothing"? Have lots of fun with it. Most of us quickly reach our limits. We're not even talking about exercises like plank, chaturanga, crow or handstand. From a purely physical point of view, yoga is really good strength training that, thanks to its many rotations, balance postures and three-dimensional exercises, meets all the current requirements of sports science.

2. I am too clumsy for yoga

An excuse mostly used by the men of creation. Well - there is even a grain of truth in it. Men are generally less flexible than women. But hey, guys tend to have more strength for that. At all: In principle, more awkward people should go to yoga. Because that changes incredibly quickly. Sure, not every style is suitable for everyone. But there is a suitable direction for every requirement - whether young or old, man or woman, healthy or with a handicap. Anyone who has already had bad experiences should simply try another practice. Yin Yoga, for example, is primarily about gentle stretching.

3. They are all vegans

Definitely not! Yes, some people who practice yoga are more conscious about nutrition, take care of their health, and may also renounce bad habits. Since you deal with your own body, you learn much better to listen to it and perceive your needs more clearly. Nevertheless: Many yogis love pleasure, eat meat and sweets, drink a glass of wine in the evening or have a good party. Braking fun? But on the contrary!

4. This is nothing more than gymnastics

From a purely physical point of view: Yes. But anyone who tries yoga once quickly realizes that there is much more to it. You don't just stand up and start doing gymnastics, the holistic aspect is an essential part of the concept. That means getting into the mood for a breathing exercise. The asanasas or postures are a permanent alternation of tension and relaxation. And calmer exercises to come down towards the end and Savasana are very important than the end relaxation. This structure also creates space for thoughts, emotions, ideas from which new perspectives can develop. That goes much deeper than "mere" gymnastics.

5. For yoga one has to be deeply relaxed

But on the contrary. Especially when it is stressful, bad mood or PMS strike, an hour on the mat is the best thing you can do for yourself. Because the flow of the exercises, the concentration on yourself plus the calm breaths have a positive effect on the vegetative nervous system - we come down. It can of course happen that during this the anger really boils up in one or deep emotions come to the surface. And that's good. The art is to let go of this. You are at the end of the session guaranteed deeply relaxed.

6. You cannot injure yourself in yoga

Mistake. As everywhere in sport, there is a risk of injuries during yoga. Namely when the principle of mindfulness is ignored. It's about recognizing your own limits. Of course, your own comfort zone should be expanded a little in practice - but not just like hell.

7. Yogis are always peaceful

No, yogis are only human too. They are also familiar with negative feelings such as excessive ambition, envy or hostility, which they cannot simply switch off. However, the basic attitude in yoga is a peaceful one. The principle is not to expect anything from yourself or others, but also not to ignore anything. Regardless of whether it is positive or negative.