Personal growth and self improvement articles about yoga and yoga practice

Yoga Articles

Seven Common Misconceptions About Yoga
By Dada Vedaprajinananda

Although the practice of yoga has become widespread during
the last 30 years, there are still quite a few
misconceptions about this ancient method of self-
transformation. Here is a brief survey of the most common
myths about yoga, and a look at what yoga is really all
about.

1. Yoga is a sport: One of the important components of
yoga is the practice of physical postures, known as asanas
in Sanskrit. Due to this physical aspect of yoga, some
people think of yoga as a sport or an activity akin to body
building. In this sense, yoga is seen as a casual pastime
which one can take up and practice now and then like any
sport.

The fact is that yoga is the art and science of physical,
mental and spiritual development. Although the yoga
postures may look like the stretching exercises found in
some sports. The exercises in yoga are one part of an all-
around program of personal development. The postures are
not an end in themselves, but are meant to help prepare
one's body for mental and spiritual development.

2. The physical side of yoga is the most important part:
Although the practice of yoga postures is the most commonly
known aspect of yoga, it is not the most important part. In
fact, the ancient system of yoga begins with the
understanding and practice of moral precepts and living a
life in harmony with self and society.

The foundation of yoga lies on the observance of
principles such as not harming others, acting in the spirit
of welfare, non stealing, non accumulation of excessive
physical wealth, viewing all things as an expression of
Consciousness, purity of mind, contentment, and selfless
service.

If you can learn how to live in harmony with those around
you, and at the same time work on your own inner
development, then the other components of yoga (postures,
concentration and meditation) can be practiced with the
best possible effects.

3. Yoga is only for women: In some parts of the world the
majority of yoga students are women, and some men may have
gotten the idea that yoga is not for them. The fact is that
all people are searching for inner peace and all people
wish to avoid disease and live a healthy life. Yoga offers
something for anyone who wishes an effective method of
physical, mental or spiritual development and should not be
thought of as a discipline reserved only for women or only
for men.

4. Everybody must practice the same postures: In most yoga
classes around the world you will find that several people
at a time are practicing the same postures. Despite this
widespread convention, the needs of individuals vary
according to their physical structures and it is best to
perform yoga postures that are individually suited to a
particular individual. For example, a young man suffering
from asthma will need postures that are quite different
from an older woman with heart problems.

If you want to practice yoga postures correctly it is best
to find a teacher who is able to prescribe the postures
that are best suited to your particular needs.

5. You have to be extremely agile to practice yoga: It is
true that some yoga postures are a bit difficult to
perform, and require an agile body. However, just as
postures should be selected according to the ailments that
a person suffers from, a good yoga instructor will be able
to show you postures that are within your reach. When
performing yoga postures, you should try to do them to the
best of your capacity and you shouldn't worry whether you
look like the picture in the book. Often, just the effort
that you make in trying to perform the posture is enough to
reap the benefits of that posture.

6. It is good to practice yoga postures out of doors: When
you perform yoga properly your body becomes very sensitive
to shifts in temperature. If you practice outside your
house even a slight breeze may be enough to make you
uncomfortable or even catch cold. It is best to practice
indoors. The windows may be open but you should stay away
from drafts. In summer it is best to turn off fans while
practicing yoga postures.

7. Incense should be burned when practicing yoga: Although
yoga comes from India, and so does much of the world's
incense, it is not a good idea to burn incense while
performing yoga postures or doing meditation. Yoga postures
should be done in a smoke-free area: this includes
cigarette smoke and also the smoke of incense. During
meditation the smoke of burning incense will cause
disturbance and hinder the process of going within. Incense
can be used before doing meditation or before practicing
postures in order to create a nice atmosphere, but there
should not be smoke in the air when the actual practice
begins.

If you practice yoga regularly and do so with a proper
understanding of its holistic nature, you will surely
realize great benefits in all spheres of life.

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Dada Vedaprajinananda has been practicing and teaching
yoga and meditation for the past 34 years. You can read
more of his articles on his website
http://www.YogaWeightLossSecrets.com

Author's Bio

Dada Vedaprajinananda has been practicing and teaching
yoga and meditation for the past 34 years. He is currently
a senior teacher with the Ananda Marga society, and is
based in Athens, Greece. Dada is the author of "The Wisdom
of Yoga", numerous magazine articles, and composer of
spiritual songs. His articles and songs can be found on the
websites http://www.dadaveda.com and
http://www.yogaweightlosssecrets.com

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