At the very essence, Yoga is the recognition that we are more than just a body and collection of thoughts in the mind.  The Yogic tools, which include postures (asanas), breath-work (pranayama), and meditation, help us transcend our physical and mental limitations to cultivate health, happiness, and a greater sense of self-awareness and higher consciousness.  (Ann Johnson - YogaMate)

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Dispelling the Myths you have have heard:

• You do not need to be "Fit" or "Thin" or "Flexible" or "Young" to do Yoga.  A solid class will offer the use of props or alternatives to make yoga accessible to you; a solid class will meet you where you are on the mat (or chair).  

• Men don't practice yoga (one of my favs)...originally it was ONLY men that practiced yoga; I find quite a few men in my classes these days.

• Yogis and Yoga Teachers don't have bad habits - we all have bad habits; we are human beings after all.

• If your asana doesn't look like my asana that is OK.  We are constructed differently; even though we have the same anatomy we are different humans.  Think of asanas as a general shape and don't fret about being exactly like someone else.

• Yoga is not a religion.   Yoga teaches us to look inwards and it teaches us we all are Devine within; that practice can be done with spirituality, but it doesn't have to.  

• All Yoga is not the same.  In the last 50+ years many "styles" of yoga have cropped up and they may not all be for you and that is OK.  Some are fast paced, some are slow paced, some are unique every class, others follow a set series of asanas.  Try them all and find that which speaks to you.

 

Benefits of a Yoga Practice:

• Increased focus

• Increased mindfulness

• Increased flexibility (both mentally and physically)

• Increased strength (both mentally and physically)

• Increased compassion and kindness toward yourself (and others)