7 Common False Statements About Yoga With 1 Being: Yoga Can't Increase Your Metabolism

By Scott McLeod


You have to be flexible to do yoga. "I can't do yoga, I'm not flexible."

* That's the point in doing it! : ) Yoga helps you become flexible and provides your body its benefits. Perhaps you have some social anxiety about looking "foolish" among a group of flexible yoga regulars.

* Well, just so you know, there are PLENTY of people in yoga class at the bottom of the totem pole in terms of flexibility. You gotta start somewhere, right? The important part is STARTING. If you feel a little uneasy in front more experienced people start at home and build your confidence. But in reality? I wouldn't worry about it!

Guys don't do yoga... that's for chicks

* Balderdash! Yoga was actually created by men so many many years ago and its original masters, known as yogis were men. Maybe you argue that social norms today say otherwise. I strongly disagree. Take a look around a yoga studio or class at a gym. Bet you'll see a lot more men than you initially imagined.

* The cross-gender acceptance of yoga has been rapidly increasing as studies and media number the fantastic health benefits of yoga. Men are realizing the results are too good to pass up. Although ten years ago and later the ratio of male to female was more like 1:10 it is now around 1:2 for most classes. And besides guys, it can't be all THAT terrible to be outnumbered by health savvy females!

Yoga is too expensive

* You can find just about anything FREE on YouTube. There are even free websites with pictorial and written instructions. However, even though yoga studios may be more spendy in general, they usually have more inexpensive beginner classes. Online programs geared specifically for weight loss are very reasonable and under satisfaction guarantees.

* Sometimes its much better to have some social interaction and enjoy the community aspect of an in person class. Most medium to larger facilities offer yoga as well as other exercise classes at no charge or at a slightly higher monthly membership fee. The big chains like Gold's Gym, L.A. Fitness and 24 Hour Fitness almost all offer yoga classes.

* The health benefits alone are going to save you doctor visits and prescription medications. A small monthly gym membership is well worth it in the long run, not only to your health but your pocketbook!

Yoga is for hipsters and young things

* There are a lot of social perceptions such as this that simply hold no weight any longer. We are in the information age and the news of health and wellness regimens that hold value rapidly reach across all genders, ages and ethnicities. Credit is given to that idea at the inception of yoga in the western world because only more free-spirited or "hippy" type of individuals were willing to experiment with this "eccentric" eastern practice. Today we are more and more familiar with yoga. Its a pretty good mix of individuals in most yoga classes.

* BUT Yoga's non-debatable health benefits are being proven more and more within well-planned and funded scientific research studies. The practical benefits simply can't be ignored no matter what age, gender or background you come from.

You can't use yoga to lose weight

* FALSE indeed. The reasons yoga contributes and causes weight loss may be a bit of a surprise. Many of the mechanisms are not well-known and some of them are based on more spiritual philosophies of eastern thought. But it is enough to say that someone who suffers from obesity is under the heavy hand of an under-achieving metabolic system.

* Yoga increases blood flow and perfusion to your entire body systems. Shifts and contortions performed in poses therapeutically "squeeze" your organs, inevitably leading to more blood flow, optimal function and toxin removal. Proper circulation allows the body to naturally remove toxins, like a river sweeping away debris. Good circulation also delivers more oxygen and nutrients in order to optimally carry out metabolic function and body transformation.

* On an emotional front, yoga allows people to shed negativity and heaviness while giving the spirit a breath of fresh air. I can almost guarantee you were your healthiest when you were your happiest. Coincidence?

* Energetically speaking, yoga allows the balance and harmony of our energy centers to be restored. These energy centers are referred to as chakras and each one has certain organs and glands that rely on proper flow of this energy. When the energy becomes blocked we begin to see physical manifestations in the form of illness and disease.

There is only one type of Yoga

* There are many different kinds of yoga and each emphasizes a certain aspect of its general principles and goals. The most world-known practice of yoga is Hatha yoga but within the United States we are familiar with Vinyasa or Flow Yoga, Bikram or Hot Yoga, Power Yoga and yes even meditation falls within the category of yoga. In this article, we will not further discuss the differences and strengths of these various styles.

Yoga cannot be practiced by persons with injuries or chronic pain

* Yoga has been shown to alleviate many chronic pain conditions, most notably, chronic back pain and rheumatoid arthritis. Certain advisements and precautions should be taken depending on a person's medical condition. These conditions should be discussed with your yoga instructor in order to minimize concerns and maximize benefit.




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