Yoga For All - dispelling yoga myths

Dispelling yoga myths

Its common to hear all sorts of reasons from people as to why yoga is not for them. Alot of the reasons I hear are misunderstadings or misconceptions, here are some really common ones and the REAL answers (well for my classes anyway - where everyone is welcome):

I am not flexible

You absolutely don't have to be flexible to come to a yoga class. Coming to a yoga class can really help you become more flexible - it's a products of yoga not a prerequisite. It's a bit like saying that your hair is too tangled to brush. You just start gently and softly, and the tangles start to brush out.

I am not fit

People of any level of fitness are welcome at my classes. You may be a total couch potato or an athlete, that really does not matter. We focus on moving your body whilst focussing on the breath, and really paying attention to your body. We move mindfully, not with speed! Yes some yoga classes are super fast you get hot and seeaty (power yoga, hot yoga, Bikram yoga), but thats not the yoga we do at my classes!

I don't have a 'yoga body'

Your body shape is not important. Everybody can do yoga, and we adapt poses to fit your body whether you have tight hamstrings, large boobs or short arms. Everyones version of each yoga pose will be different, and I aim to fit the pose to YOUR body (not the other way around).

I'm a beginner, and I am worried everyone else will know what they are doing

Don't worry, classes are suitable for all. We move at a steady pace, with clear instructions (in English, not Sanskritt as used in some classes) to make it easy to follow. Beginners are welcome at all classes. We won't be standing on our heads and doing any 'show off' poses. Everything will be available to you, so you'll feel part of the class staright away.

I don't a a yoga mat

I provide yoga mats and all the props you'll need, so thats no problem.

I tried it one, and it was too slow/fast/hard/they spoke in a language I didn't understand

As yoga comes from India, and has evolved over thousands of years there are inevitably many, many different styles of yoga today. So it's inportant to find a class that suits you. There are very energetic 'power yoga' and 'hot yoga' classes, and very gentle and slow 'restorative yoga' classes and those which just concentrate on breathing.

In my classes we work at a pace to suit the class, and all poses are available to everyone. I want my classes to be welcoming and support you on your journey with yoga. I don't use Sanskrit words (an ancient indian language) as some classes do, as I feel people don't understand it and it's really unnecessar.  I have some different classes so people can pick and choose what suits them best. These include 'Pregnancy Yoga', 'Unwind & relax' and 'Yoga For All', as well as a specialist 'Fertility Yoga' course. 

I hope this reassures you that there is a yoga class for YOU. And that what type of class you need may well change throughout your life.