Is Yoga for Everyone?

Try asking someone if they would like to do yoga? Very often, their answers would be “Oh, I am not flexible”, “I am not physically fit”, “I am fat”, “I don’t want to break my bones!” or “I am too old for this”. The media especially social media has falsely created an impression of Yoga as contortion of body and ladies in cute, sexy and flashy sports bras and thighs. The misconception has blinded people from discovering this amazing healing practice.

Yoga is a healing, strengthening and calming practice that offers something to everyone, regardless of gender, race, religion and fitness level. One can always find a class suitable for him/her.

Besides asanas, Yoga practice involves breathing (Pranayama), meditation, cleansing (Kriyas), and attributes (8 limbs of Ashtanga Yoga – Pantajali). Briefly, Yoga is a self discovering practice for both our physical and inner well being. 

First timers to yoga can join in the beginner or even ultra beginner classes, where the poses are broken down to parts to stretch and strengthen target muscles leading up to the poses in the long run.

For desk-bounded office crowd who does their exercise routines in the weekends can also attend thematic classes on shoulders and hip opening to stretch the tight muscles built up overtime sitting too long in the office.

What about those power-packed athletes and physically-fit people? For this group of people, static passive stretching classes (with savasana) may be more suitable for them as opposed to dynamic stretching classes. The idea is to let their muscles recover and lengthen instead of strengthening. Maybe by enhancing it with meditation to deepen the relaxation. Asanas such as Bhujangasana (cobra), Kapotasana – easy variation (pigeon), Supta Padangusthasana (supine leg stretch), and Jathara Parivathasana (belly twist) are some examples of static passive poses. Yoga can also be used as a preventive measure to injury.

So, yes! Yoga IS for everyone!

So, let’s get started people!

 

Namaste,

Kleo