Our world is constantly working to pull us away from the present moment - from the here and now. Stress, distraction, comparison, responsibility, at times it can be overwhelming. We all relate to these experiences in one way or another, because we’re human. And if we’re being realistic, it’s not always possible to be cool, calm, and collected all of the time…
But what if I told you, there are tools we can use to become just 1% more peaceful, and more joyful, every single day. Yoga is an incredibly transformative practice - after practicing for years and then becoming an instructor myself, it’s truly a gift to share the benefits of movement, meditation, and breath work with my community.
Some of the many benefits include: Ease in our bodies, relief of tension and stiffness, mental clarity, increased sense of calm, improved mood, and so much more.
Now you may be thinking:
“Yoga isn’t for me.”
“I’m not very flexible.”
“I just don’t have the time.”
These are common misconceptions I often encounter as a yoga instructor, and I find they can become barriers to someone joining a class. So, let’s take a moment to dive deeper into some of these myths, and rewrite the story.
3 Misconceptions About Yoga:
“Yoga isn’t for me, I won’t fit in.”
Despite what social media may depict, yoga is not about expensive leggings, crystals, or drinking green juice.
Yoga is for everyone!
It’s simply a way to connect to ourselves. It’s setting aside intentional time to slow down, listen to our body’s cues, and be in the present moment. Yoga is for the human body, designed for people of any age, ability, shape, or size - women and men alike. Our bodies crave movement, our minds crave peace, and our hearts crave joy.
We don’t need to be anything but ourselves - a yoga class should be a non-judgmental, safe space, for us to grow at our own pace, with the guidance of a trusted instructor.
“I’m not very flexible.”
Did you know that the physical postures of yoga are just one aspect of the practice? Many classes also include meditation, breathing exercises, and just time to rest. Yoga is an ancient and complete mind-body practice.
The beauty of yoga is that it meets us exactly where we are, every day our bodies have different needs and abilities. I promise, flexibility is not the goal or a prerequisite - instead our job is to listen, and honour where we are in that moment. While increased mobility can come with time, the focus is peace and joy!
“I just don’t have the time.”
I understand, life is so busy! We don’t all have the time to attend regular classes multiple times a week. The good news is, yoga does not have to be long or intense to create positive shifts in our lives. It can be as simple as five minutes of gentle stretching before bed. Or sitting with our morning coffee and taking some deep breaths before the day begins.
Start small, and make it tangible - our bodies will tell us when we’re ready for more. Each and every time we take a moment to care for ourselves matters. These moments add up, and they allow us to show up in the world as our best selves.
What I hope this offered you is the planting of a seed. A seed of curiosity, and a gentle reminder that we are all deserving of peace and joy.
1% more, every single day.
Interested in yoga with Jasmine? Jasmine is routinely hosting yoga series at The Wellness Lab. To learn more and/or sign up for the next series, reach out to us at hello@ourwellnesslab.ca or visit our wellness shop here.
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