For all my 10+ years of teaching yoga in the past, I’ve heard it all.

Thank you to the students and interactions with fellow humans to contribute to the creation of this humorous, yet truthful, video debunking these common yoga myths. All intended for insight and good fun!

This BONUS Video was shared from the “Yoga Foundations : Building Class Confidence” eCourse on Warrior University.

Here’s some common misconceptions about yoga. I’ve heard all of these before. And I’m going to share openly and honestly 95% of them are just an excuse to not try and get or to get started in, do it. Let’s jump in. I’ve been trying, I’ve been wanting to do this for a long time. So this is going to be a fun one!

1. I NEED ALL THE TOP GEAR, AND IT’S EXPENSIVE
You know what’s expensive? Skiing is expensive. That you need expensive gear for. To do yoga? You need nada. You really can do yoga just sitting and breathing. That simple!

2. I NEED FANCY CLOTHES TO DO YOGA
But, I need fancy clothes! No, you don’t. Wear your pajamas. I’ve done yoga in jeans before and a collared shirt in an airport. You can even stretch while waiting in the Starbucks or grocery line.

3. DON’T YOU NEED TO BE VEGAN TO DO YOGA?
You don’t need to be vegan unless you choose to be vegan. Personally, at the time of recording, I had fish today, and it was really good.

What matters more than what you’re eating, is that you’re mindful when and what you’re eating. No matter if you’re having a steak and its mindful, or you’re eating a piece of lettuce and you’re mindful — it has nothing to do with being vegan.

If you’re vegan, great. If you’re not, great. You do you, Warrior. Myself, I’m about 95% plant-based.

4. BUT, I CAN’T TOUCH MY TOES! 
This is like the opposite of exactly the reason why to DO yoga: “Oh, but I can’t touch my toes!”

Um, that’s the whole point. You learn to become flexible. I couldn’t touch my toes either when I first started yoga. I was slumped over, and hunched at a desk clicking at the mouse. Over time and practice, I began to lengthen up tall through the spine, begin to touch my toes, not overnight. Nice try.

5. YOU DO YOGA: YOU’RE SUPPOSED TO ALWAYS BE HAPPY AND POSITIVE!
I used to get this with teaching a lot. You’re “supposed to be happy and always positive” — a lot of issues in that sentence, starting with “supposed to” and a superlative. You know what they say about assumptions, they make an a** out of…? Well, don’t assume.

Why? Well, says who? We’re (yogis) are freaking humans too! Just because we do yoga doesn’t mean that all your problems wash out the door. What’s important is learning different ways to breathe through the struggles, to let some of the stress go.

6. IT’S NOT A WORKOUT, THOUGH?
I’m guilty of this one. I used to say this: “Yoga isn’t a workout!” Actually, I started yoga for a workout. And, then it became so much more over time I started to realize how he started to heal a lot of my mind issues and started to appreciate my body.

And, if you haven’t already, try a yoga class. You let me know what you think, if it’s a workout or not (insert visual of an unsuspecting athlete or gym-goer panting and in a pile of sweat). In fairness, it depends what kind of yoga you’re doing too, to be honest.

7. BUT, I HAVE A RELIGION, IT’S TOO SPIRITUAL FOR ME. 
I’ve had this with even some of my family members. “Oh, but I already have a religion or yoga. It’s too spiritual for me.”

I’m not going to touch the religion thing because that’s just a really touchy topic. Spirituality to me is a connection to self. So no matter what God that you’re praying to — no matter what person, spiritual being, or mindset you possess — spirituality is connection to self. That’s my definition for yoga as well.

8. YEAH, BUT I TRIED A CLASS AND ALREADY KNOW I DIDN’T LIKE IT.
I was guilty of this too. “But, I tried a class and I really didn’t like it.” Case closed.

Wait! That’s like saying I tried a piece of food, or an apple and didn’t like them. If you gave me a Macintosh, then I’d be like, I don’t like apples. But, if you give me a Pink Lady or granny Smith — yum!

Do yourself a favor, try a different class. Try a different kind of yoga. Try different teacher. You may find one that you really connect with. You get to try yoga like dating. Or, a lot of bad marriages. Or, a lot of bad frogs. As the saying goes, “You’ve got to kiss a lot of frogs before you meet a prince.” Prince? Hello! DM me.

I hope this was insightful, at least a little fun, but there are a lot of misconceptions about what Yoga is most importantly, open your mind to try. Open your mind to experience yourself and don’t give up after the first shot. Try try and try again. Because practice equals progress.

This BONUS Video was shared from the “Yoga Foundations : Building Class Confidence” eCourse on Warrior University. Find out more details on both courses and memberships using the links here: