Shri Yogendraji’s (1897–1989) noble mission was to bring Yoga out of the forest hermitages and make it freely and easily accessible to the masses – be it men, women, young and old, sick and healthy, people of all castes, communities, and living in different parts of the world.
The Father of ‘Modern Yoga Renaissance,’ showed the world that a householder could be taught Yoga as a way of life and even Yoga Asanas, thus reviving an invaluable practice of Ashtanga Yoga, dating back to the Upanishadic period. He simplified difficult Yoga asana techniques; thus is a pioneer in reviving and spreading the joy of Yoga asanas practice to the common man or householders.
Shri Yogendraji made the entire world look-up and took notice of Yoga as a way of life. Today, 183 countries celebrate International Yoga Day thanks to continuous efforts of Shri Narendra Modiji and visionaries such as Shri Yogendraji who founded -The Yoga Institute to support this noble cause.
25th December 2017 marks centennial year for The Yoga Institute. Yoga is becoming a culture of tomorrow and is an urgent requirement for future happiness, peace and harmony in the world.
Yoga asanas practices are an essential part of Ashtanga Yoga or classical yoga. Shri Yogendraji modified the difficult Yoga asanas but keeping the benefits of the asanas intact for the Yoga learners.
Yoga asanas when done correctly with proper Yogendra breathing techniques adds a more in-depth experience to your daily Yoga practice. Even if you are not able to bend yourself into gravity-defying yoga poses or be flexible enough to do masterful transpositions as yoga beginners there is hope, and The Yoga Institute is expert in training, and teaching yoga asanas to every person irrespective of age or body flexibility constrain. (Results will vary of course from individual to individual depending on the dedication and lifestyle)
Today commercial angle is seeping into Yoga as well. Contrary to the widespread belief that everybody knows about Yoga and want to learn yoga at some point in their life, but the actual fact is that some people want to stay away from Yoga learning. Thanks to the myths and taboos associated with Yoga. Read through this article to take a closer look at real facts about Yoga.
Myth 1: Physical flexibility is a prerequisite for practising yoga asanas
Facts: Practicing Yoga asanas on a consistent basis helps in attaining better flexibility. When compared to other forms of rigorous fitness routines, this is a science and art that help everyone even those individuals who have never exercised throughout their lives.
Myth 2: Yoga asanas practice is just another form of physical exercise only
Facts: Yoga asanas do offer you tangible benefits, but it provides you much more than that. Yoga is an art and science of holistic living. Yoga asanas offer you a chance to undergo a complete transformation – physically, emotionally, physiologically, mentally, and psychologically. It is a subtle makeover that guarantees health and harmony inside out.
Myth 3: Classical yoga is not the best way reduce fat and lose weight
Facts: Classical yoga is the best way to lose fat and reduce weight without side-effects when done correctly under the guidance of a trained yoga teacher.
Myth 4: Yoga is more suited as an exercise for women folk
Facts: In reality, the truth is anyone can do Yoga. Today more Yoga Gurus are male irrespective of their caste, creed, gender or age. All that is required is an open mindset.
Myth 5: Pregnant women should not be practicing yoga
Facts: Yoga benefits all the faculties and keeping the body systems and mind relaxed when you are pregnant and doing the practice under the supervision of an experienced Yoga teacher. Various yoga asanas have been exclusively designed by TYI keeping in mind the condition and individual requirement of the pregnant woman.
Myth 6: Yoga cannot be custom-made
Facts: This is a gross misconception. Every person and body make is different with different needs. All the Yoga asanas can be modified, keeping in mind the individual requirements of each person in mind.
Myth 7: Yoga means Hindu-Religion
Facts: This is one of the most common misapprehensions about yoga. Yoga is a way of living, and it has nothing to do with religion. A holistic scientific approach to living life fully which transforms the whole individual and has no strings attached to any faith or religion or conversion.
Myth 8: Yoga is all about doing just asanas and impossible twisting postures
Facts: When the word “yoga”, is mentioned most people invariably think about just asanas. It is a clear indicator of where the world is heading. In Yoga, the point is to start your journey at the gross level, i.e. the body but actual goal is to move in towards your inner self or subtle body. Yoga asanas are just one aspect of this holistic system devised by the ancient yogis since the ages. Yoga takes care of physical, mental, emotional and spiritual planes of individuals who practice it.
Myth 9: Yoga is easy, simple, and anyone can learn yoga asana from a book or by browsing the web.
Facts: Today, if you browse on the internet or enter any bookstore, you can find thousands of websites and at least 15 to 20 different yoga schools books try to teach you Yoga quickly in just 10 hours to 21 days. Many people have taken to such misleading ads and promotional books and started learning by themselves throwing caution to the wind. This impulsive way of learning without guidance has caused damages to them in some cases irreversible damages. Yoga might seem to be very simple, but you need proper direction from a Yoga Guru or trained Yoga teacher with experience.
Now that the myths and taboos are busted we hope you can start practising Yoga with an open mindset and outlook.
Since 1918, The Yoga Institute has successfully trained more than 50,000 Yoga teachers who are teaching true Ashtanga or Classical Yoga across the globe.
The Yoga Institute is a pioneer in Yoga Teacher Training Courses (TTC), and you have flexible payment options available so join us and get to the finer details about Yoga and Teacher Training Courses. Learn Classical Yoga from one of the oldest organised yoga centres in the world.