Myth 1. In yoga classes only meditate and philosophize
When my curiosity finally won out over skepticism, I went to a class with my parents. Two hours later, sweat was really flowing from me, my muscles were shaking, and the breathing apparatus gave up more than once during the class. The conclusion that I made right away: in yoga, you can pump your body according to the formula “strength + flexibility = balance”. That is, it is a complex story about how to feel your body. After classes, you discover muscles and points in yourself, the existence of which you did not even suspect before. The best part is that you learn to feel them every second and even manage them. After the first lesson, I could no longer justify inaction by the fact that yoga was too simple and ineffective for me. Instead, I started looking for the format of classes that suited me.
Myth 2. Results in yoga are achieved for years
“These are not simulators in a rocking chair: work in asanas is often not visible, which means that the results are unpredictable and will not be soon” is a common belief. But wrong! I became a different person after two months of one-hour classes 2-3 times a week. The key to success is having a great coach and listening skills. My Tanya chased me from the first second and understood correctly what I needed to work on in the formula “strength + flexibility = balance”. By the way, it was the quick results that became the main factor thanks to which I was able to stay on yoga and regularly practiced for several years: it was enough to see the difference in well-being and body.
Myth 3. It is difficult to do yoga regularly
From my experience, I can say: there are several ways to make yoga a habit. The first one, as I said, is a great coach. Ideally, it will give you a sense of shame if you missed class. The second is to set small tasks instead of global solutions. For example, collect a yoga uniform in the morning and take a rug with you. Having already performed some actions for training, it is difficult to refuse it – well, not in vain did I drag the rug all day? The third is the right equipment. I picked myself beautiful things that are comfortable. A mat of your favorite color – this is how you want to uncover it every time. The fourth life hack for introducing yoga into life is classes at a strictly set time. I put yoga on the calendar: classes twice a week, the time of which I did not move. As soon as it is set, the brain stops wasting time on debates: when is it better to do it? Maybe in the evening? Or the next day? I also had a bonus trip to classes, which I always set on different days of the week – this is already a reason to feel pride in my consciousness.
Myth 4. One way is yoga!
Over the course of several years of practice, I have tried a lot of directions: 23 yoga, vinyasa, power yoga and even the beloved American bikram – there, in each lesson, they always repeat the same sequence of asanas, practicing in a heated room, so it is very important to drink a lot of fluids and vitamins to make up for the loss of the body. By the way, bikram is gaining popularity in Moscow now. Having tried different things, I understood the features of each of the styles and correlated them with my needs (by the way, if you have questions about which direction to choose, be sure to write to me – I will share my experience). In the end, my plan for my comeback is this: yoga twice a week, plus a bonus in the form of a lesson at home. I decided to study early in the morning: only recently I discovered for myself that if you start the day at 6 in the morning, it can fit two ordinary days. And starting with yoga, I think, will be even more effective.
Myth 5. Startup and yoga are incompatible.
Who seeks will always find. Yoga is beautiful in that you can fit it into your life, spending the minimum amount of time on it. You can brush your teeth in a tree position, sit in a “chair” while preparing food, and basic asanas are easily done on the floor next to any workplace. It is important to create a rhythm of classes so that you cannot break off. Last year, I temporarily solved this problem by starting teaching in the #tceh coworking space, where part of our team was sitting. Free classes on Tuesdays and Fridays. True, this year my initiative is still not enough to continue, for which I am very ashamed, because there are several people whom I promised to help. But now it seems to me that every yogi (or going on the path to yoga) goes through phases when you need to do it yourself and with other people. I think that I first need to go to the next level of skills on my own, and then go out to others again.