Ok so there are bucket loads of articles, blogs, books and pages that will tell you yoga is good for you. However, there aren’t many that will lay down some of the truths behind why it could actually be bad for you. Intrigued? Read on to find out more!
1. You can’t eat broccoli before yoga
One word: flatulence. Yoga and those kinds of smells don’t make for a pleasant environment. Plus, most people prefer to practice yoga in silence and calm so it’s unlikely you’ll be able to squeeze one out without anyone noticing, they’ll all know. Broccoli may not be the food that does it for you, it may be his cousin cauliflower or even the distant relative sprouts. Everyone is an individual. However, if you’re going to start doing yoga then one downside is you’ll have to plan your meals because an hours worth of holding it in is neither relaxing, pleasant nor comfortable. Of course nobody there will really be bothered even if you do suddenly let one slip because it’s natural and it happens to us all but it’s not exactly the worlds proudest moment to write home about.
2. You may buy some yoga pants: uh oh tight clothes!
Yoga pants look fantastic on sports models. They look beautiful on the hangers. Get home and put them on and you may feel like you’ve instantly gained 10 pounds. You may even have to do what I call the ‘policeman’s bop’ to get in them and pull them up slowly but surely. And all this effort may leave you thinking perhaps you won’t even give the yoga a try because you’re too tired from trying to fit in the clothes. Of course, good yoga instructors will tell people to wear comfortable, loose fitting clothes so why do they may yoga pants so tight?! Also, in a yoga class people won’t care what you wear so you could just lose your inhibitions for an hour and look forward to being able to fit better into your yoga pants but you’re sure that lady in the corner is giving you funny looks.
3. You’ll lose weight slowly and steadily
Yoga isn’t out and out crazy cardio in the gym. Nor is it the latest fad diet. It is something that will build your strength and tone your muscles slowly but surely. Great results don’t come in 14 days. They come in 14 months. It takes serious time. And in today’s society of want everything yesterday, need to brag about losing half a stone in a week and following the latest celebrity fad who needs that?! I mean the results will be sustainable, they will be a result of commitment, determination and hard work and they will be something you can be dead proud of but it doesn’t fit with our image of everything having to happen fast.
4. You’ll get more flexible… But slowly
As above, this doesn’t fit with many individuals dreams of having results yesterday. Some even expect to come to a class with little flexibility and want to be able to do the splits a week later. That isn’t going to happen. Another downside of being more flexible is you might find it has a knock on effect to other things. For instance, if you play racquet sports or run you might just find you get better at those sports since flexibility is one of the key aspects to fitness. And that might make all your friends jealous, who needs that?!
5. You might make other changes in your life
Yoga is hugely relaxing and gives you vital downtime. You might think that’s not important but it really is. However, having this downtime (as with flexibility above) might have a knock on effect. For example, you could find you are less stressed and have more energy. You might even sleep better. That might lead to you doing things such as working harder on a project or at work because you’re more focused. People might notice a change in you and start asking questions. Yoga can even make people feel more positive and this could even lead to drastic life changes such as leaving a bad relationship or moving to a better job. It’s unlikely that yoga alone can do these things but I have heard of that happening… Scary.
Hopefully you’ve picked up on my ironic and slightly sarcastic tone here. It’s not meant to be condescending, it’s just I simply cannot think of any negatives to doing a bit of yoga and stretching. It’s so important for our overall health and yet it’s the part we generally focus on the least. I have found everybody has something to say about diet and exercise, the minority discuss stretching and the aftercare of your body. In all seriousness your health is not about quick fixes, fad diets or crazy amounts of exercise. It’s about sustainable results that take time and effort. It’s making small lifestyle changes that make big differences in the long term.
A great, detailed article about the health benefits of yoga can be found here (The Health Benefits of Yoga Explained). It discusses yoga and back pain, depression, diabetes, menopause, stress, asthma, breathing, obesity, weight loss, heart disease, cancer, heart failure and consciousness. There are many more you can read which should further convince you to start doing some yoga today. I also offer beginners yoga course for people in the comfort of their own home if they are feeling slightly insecure, nervous or embarrassed and don’t want to go to a class, although you will be welcomed with the open arms in any yoga class. Please use the contact me sessions on my website for more information.
via Dilly's Personal Training http://ift.tt/1LPeVBL
