Survey Finds Common Yoga Misconceptions
Why do you get a smirk from the guy in the cubicle next door when you sling your yoga mat over your shoulder or a laugh from a friend when you say you got a serious work out from your asana practice? Well according to a new survey conducted by Yoga Alliance, several misconceptions could be what’s keeping non-yogis from trying their first class.
Here is a snippet from their pre
ss release:
The research sought feedback from people who have never stepped foot in a studio as well as those who have made yoga an essential part of their lives. It found that, despite growing “buzz,” there are many Americans who know little about yoga or, worse, have incorrect assumptions which inhibit them from participation. The three most common misperceptions are that yoga:
- Is religion-based. 57% of those who do not currently practice yoga believe that it requires mantras or chanting related to a form of worship.
- Requires flexibility in order to practice. Nearly 3 in 5 Americans – 59% of respondents – who do not practice yoga think that it requires a person to be in at least “decent” shape. In truth, however, anyone – of any size, shape or physical state – can benefit.
- Is not really exercise. Half of men who have never practiced yoga believe it “isn’t a workout.” In contrast, 73% of people who do practice believe it is just as effective as running, swimming or weight lifting.”
I feel these misconceptions are very pervasive. What, as a yoga community, can we do to counteract the misinterpretations of yoga?
Related posts:
Well, that’s just it. These are not always misconceptions, and a response of “sometimes yes, sometimes no” is hard to share with people who are not familiar with yoga. The best thing to do may be honor yoga as being DIVERSE.
Yoga, as it is practiced today, certainly doesn’t have to be religious–but it sometimes is, and often incorporates mantra.
Yoga doesn’t require flexibility–most of the time. But I’ve heard horror stories of injuries from beginner students who’ve encountered insensitive teachers.
Yoga is not, in fact, as effective aerobically as let’s say running. It also probably won’t create the kind of muscle that dead-lifts will. It doesn’t do the same things as these workouts, but it really shouldn’t have to.
So, while this survey may reveal a good deal about what its creators believe yoga should be, and while many of us may agree with these beliefs, they are nonetheless beliefs that are probably more one-sided than the situation on the ground. Also, I’m curious about who these respondents are who’ve ‘never set foot in a yoga studio.’ It would be neat to know how the yoga alliance got their samples.