The Mind Creative OCT 2013
Misconceptions about Yoga
Yoga is often misinterpreted as a
set of physical postures
(aasanas), a Hindu religious
practice or something that is
used to induce flexibility or
attractive physical shape.
Although these statements are
not completely false, they only
describe a tiny fragment of this
great science of well-being.
Business ventures have made
Yoga a billion dollar industry
and this commercialisation is
partly to be blamed for
uninitiated teachers imparting
substandard knowledge to
students. Many Yoga styles
(like Bikram Yoga, Power Yoga
and even Yogaletes) have
surfaced in recent years.
These “styles” have only
added to the confusion within
the masses by diluting the
first and second limbs of Yoga
- Yamas (ethical standards)
and Niyamas (self-discipline).
The attainments of flexibility,
physical strength or weight
loss in Yoga are only the sideeffects of true and authentic
Yoga practice.
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