I love talking with my students before and after class. While I was talking with one of them, she shared with me that a lot of people are too scared and intimidated to come to yoga.
This doesn't surprise me in the least. When a lot of people think of yoga, they think of a tall, thin, white woman throwing herself into a contortion without a sweat or second thought. Not being sexist, racist, or whatever, that's just how it is. Look at the cover of Yoga Journal.
Yoga is most definitely not about being the most flexible, being able to take a headstand, or even touching your toes. With enough practice, sure you can do those things, but it's mainly about taking a break from your crazy life and getting stronger, healthier, and calmer.
Maybe I scare people? I don't know, I hope not! I'd like to think I'm not intimidating, but maybe to some people I am.
Another lady in my Sunday class kept falling out of Eagle pose and said aloud "This is HARD!!!" And I said "Yes. It is. But you did it!!!"
On the other side of the spectrum, a lot of people who usually do more intense workouts think yoga is "easy" and "just stretching" and are then surprised when they take my class and discover yes, it is harder than they thought. Maybe that's why more people opt for my co-worker's Hatha class rather than my Vinyasa flow. Again, not sure, just an inference from my observations.
I see various videos and pictures of men, bigger women, basically anyone other than the stereotypical yogi in the media, yet people still have those preconceptions of yoga.
The only way to shift that paradigm is to actually try out a yoga class. Trying new things can be scary, but man do you grow from it.
Peace out,
Dylan
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