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Yoga comes with a lot of misconceptions for the uninitiated. These stereotypes tend to paint an interesting picture of the modern yogi: spiritual, hyper-flexible, somewhat flighty, very into tarot. And while each of these associations may occasionally hold true, yoga is actually a broad practice and philosophy that draws all sorts of people, from seekers to athletes, to the mat.
Once there, you begin to learn a thing or two—things you may, at times, need to break down for non-yogis.
14 Things Non-Yogis Should Know About Yoga
From the myth of flexibility to a shared ick around things that are deemed too “woo-woo,” these are the things we find ourselves explaining over and over.
1. Yoga is an entire way of life, not just a physical practice.
Yoga is most commonly associated with asana, the poses or physical embodiment of the practice. In reality, yoga is more of a philosophy than anything else, one that, when committed to fully, touches every aspect of your life. The way you breathe, treat others, show up for yourself, and move through the world are all yoga.
Basically, the way you do yoga is the way you do life (and vice versa).
2. It’s not a religion, though it can be spiritual.
Modern yoga is largely based on the Yoga tomorrow of Patanjali which, yes, is a foundational Hindu text. Still, just practicing yoga does not mean that you’re praying to Shiva or Ganesh.
Time spent tuning into your breath, quieting your mind, and tuning into the present moment may naturally guide you to a more expansive awareness of life; but it doesn’t have to.
3. There are many types of yoga.
As we mentioned, everything can be yoga. But in this case, we’re talking about the actual physical practice (along with the accompanying lineages and breathing techniques).
Aside from Hatha, there’s Vinyasa, Ashtanga, Yin, Restorative, Hot, Iyengar, Acro, Nidra, Kundalini, Power, Prenatal, Tantra, and more.
TLDR: No matter your personality or preference, there’s likely a style of yoga for you.
4. You can practice yoga anywhere.
Your yoga is not reserved for a class or even the mat. Legs Up the Wall at the airport? Yoga. Breathing deeply to stave off anxiety? Yoga. Practicing kindness when dealing with a particularly surly human? Yoga!
5. Fancy activewear is not required.
You don’t need a cute yoga ‘fit, although social media may tell you otherwise. In the real world, people show up to class in all sorts of ensembles, including ratty t-shirts and old sweatpants. The key to the ultimate yoga wardrobe is comfort, not style.
6. Yes, “yoga stoned” is a real thing.
Ever heard of runner’s high? There is indeed a yogic equivalent: yoga stoned. Sometimes after taking a class that finds you fully in flow, you can enter a slightly altered state that finds you feeling both grounded and floatily ethereal.
Enjoy it! Getting yoga stoned is a sign that you were well and truly present in class, which is always the goal.
7. You don’t have to be a veteran yogi to go on a yoga retreat.
With their dreamy destinations and aspirational asanas, yoga retreats may be on your bucket list. They can also appear a tad intimidating, especially for beginners. While some retreats are designed with advanced practitioners in mind, the majority are welcome spaces for exploration and enthusiasm.
8. “Woo-woo” exists on a spectrum.
Practicing yoga does not make someone a trippy hippie. Yoga is often associated with other spiritually minded stuff, from manifestation to astrology to psychedelics. Although there may be overlap in the populations that embrace these schools of thought, it’s not a direct pipeline.
Some people just do yoga because they like it—and that’s it.
9. It’s not all about flexibility—at least not the physical kind.
Pretzel poses are optional. Many yoga poses (particularly the ones showcased online) find practitioners executing shapes with flawless flexibility, the sort usually associated with ballerinas and contortionists. There’s usually nothing wrong with this, especially if the alignment and strength are there, but this isn’t the point of yoga. You can fail to touch your toes and still be a yogi.
10. Don’t expect to go upside down.
As with the twisty, dancerly poses, upside-down poses (known as inversions) such as Supported Headstand come with time, practice, and mobility. If you can access these postures with alignment through your body and breath, fantastic! If you find yourself trying to force into them for your ego’s sake, take a breath—that’s not yoga.
11. In fact, you can opt out of any pose you’d like.
Is a pose feeling inaccessible to you today? Are you just not in the mood for another Downward-Facing Dog? You don’t have to do it! Your practice is always your own. And while it’s best not to disregard all instruction from your yoga teacher, opting out of poses to honor your body is always the right choice.
12. Pose names vary based on teacher and class type.
One person’s Bound Angle Pose is another person’s Butterfly. Given the number of types of yoga, yoga teachers, and studio classes, it’s unsurprising that the language of the practice has become a touch convoluted. When in doubt, focus on the shape and instruction rather than the actual name.
13. No, yoga won’t fix all your problems.
Yoga can be a tool that helps you heal yourself, but the practice itself is not a cure-all.
14. Yoga is inexplicably awesome.
You just have to experience it.
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