Misconceptions about Yoga

Different people have different motivation in going to a yoga class. Some want to reduce their tummy, some want to keep them fit,some want to experiment and compare with other fitness exercise forms. Despite the fact that lots of people around the globe are involving themselves in yoga, some misconceptions about yoga still prevails. To quote a few ...

Misconception 1 : Yoga is religion based since it involves chanting. (One who practices yoga eventually converts to Hinduism). So it is a blasphemy against my own religion/faith.

Some people view yoga as a scheme by Hinduism to proselytize.  Really it is not. Practice of Yoga is not at all linked to any religion. Going by ancient books on yoga (Pathanjali yoga suthra , Hatha Yoga pradipika to quote a few ) you can never find a single verse/aphorism that has a trace of reference to any religion. In fact many ancient text books originated in India cannot be categorized to be included in any religion's realm. For example, Thirukkural written by Thiruvalluvar (considered to be written after 4th century A.D) which discusses ethical principles is considered as beyond religious realms. Even Baghavath Gita (sacred hindu text) doesn't contain any reference to Hinduism itself. It is viewed as a cynosure for life.
Perhaps, the Truth is - "All religions are different path to attain a same goal ( the goal of righteous living)".

Misconception 2 : Yoga is just another sort of fitness exercise

Be it desire or distress,everything originates from mind. Everyone says that concentration and meditation will pave way for tranquility. OK!! In first place what is meditation ? Meditation is continuous and profound contemplation or musing on a subject of a deep nature. In shot meditation means controlling the mind to achieve continuous contemplation. Meditation is possible only if we can control our corporeal body. This is the basis of yoga. If the body is pliable, so is the mind. Preliminary sessions in any yoga class/course concentrate on improving the agility and flexibility of body. Slowly the focus will shift towards achieving mental pliancy, which is the ultimate goal of yoga.

Misconception 3 : One needs to be fit to do extreme yoga postures (So it is not fit for me :) )

 Not at all !!! Perseverance and dogged determination are the sine-qua-nons for yoga practice.Practice makes man perfect.

Misconception 4 : Everyone should do all the postures. I cannot do some, so it is not a fit for me.

Even if one cannot do all the postures it is absolutely fine. If you could do only certain postures you should do it with perfection. (Being a master of few postures is better than being a jack of all postures; slowly you could improve on other postures too).

Misconception 5 : If I do Hot yoga, it is good.

There is an increasing trend of people going to Hot yoga classes.Some claim that - "since yoga was conceived and practiced in India during ancient time, it is imperative that the yoga classes be conducted in heated rooms simulating the temperature of tropical climate". Since the essence of yoga itself is finding the unfeigned nature of humanity, why should it be practiced in a simulated/feigned atmosphere ? Yoga must be practiced in the natural environment.