World Yoga Day: 3 preconceptions about yoga that I can no longer hear
21.6.2025
Translation: machine translated
On 21 June, yogis around the world celebrate their attitude to life. Reason enough to dispel a few misconceptions about the path to flow.
Many curious holidays are marketing gags. I'm just thinking of Schnitzel and Blowjob Day or Toast Bread Day.
World Yoga Day is a different story. It was launched by the United Nations General Assembly - with the background that «global health is a long-term development goal» and that «yoga offers a holistic approach to health and well-being.»
I couldn't have summarised it any better. Unfortunately, there are still many myths about this sport. I'm clearing them up. Here are my personal top three.
1. you're curvy? Sorry, yoga is only for slim people
Even if all the super-skinny influencers tell you otherwise: Almost every body is a yoga body. I, model yoga elephant, do hatha and love it. Why? Because hatha yoga isn't just about doing the grossest contortion or flying light-footedly through the asanas.
Source: Unsplash
No, hatha is about achieving balance between body and mind. Through movement, meditation and breathing exercises. I practise activating asana sequences such as the sun salutation or Nadi Shodhana, the alternate breathing. And calming elements such as forward bends. This mix is ideal for me. I'm reasonably flexible, but my big bum sometimes gets in the way.
That's why: If you're keen on yoga and don't happen to have Gigi Hadid's model measurements, try out different styles. There's bigram yoga, where you practise in a room heated to 40 degrees. Yin yoga, which mainly consists of deep stretches while lying down. Or power yoga, which is very fitness-orientated. Or or or or...
Source: Unsplash
2. yoga doesn't make you happy straight away? Well, tough luck
Bad news for all impatient people: Yoga is a marathon and it's worth sticking with it. You may be jumping out of the gym after your very first yoga session, but that's probably because you've conquered your inner bastard. It can take months or even years for yoga to help you achieve mental balance.
Yoga is all about performing the asanas in harmony with your breath. This means you first have to learn the movements and then the breathing. And then do both at the same time. This is the only way to switch off your mind during yoga.
Source: Unsplash
How long it takes for your autonomic nervous system to calm down in the long term depends on how tense you are in your everyday life. I've been doing yoga for a few years now. And for about nine months now, I've noticed that I'm able to breathe and move at the same time. I breathe in when I'm tense and breathe out when I'm relaxed. I move with my breathing - and no longer against it.
Yes, the flow takes a while. Once it's there, it's great. Then you take the lightness with you into your everyday life. And not just to the front door.
3. you need exactly THIS yoga mat, then all is well
Finally, a product-orientated misconception: there is one and only mat that will make you a yoga queen. A model that you would recommend to your great aunt. Nope, wrong.
For me, the most important thing is not to slip on the mat with your hands, as you can read in my test report on the Glue by Omnana. That's why I recommend a rubber mat. They are non-slip and robust.
Which rubber mat you buy exactly is up to you. And above all, it depends on how sensitive your joints are to pressure. Many asanas, such as the cobra, are performed on the floor or on the knees. So if you get bruises on your knees quickly, it's better to get a thick mat. If you don't care about the padding, a two-millimetre-thin travel model like the one I use
I have linked mats in different thicknesses for you here:
Because that's what yoga is all about: finding a style and products that suit you. Inner peace starts with yourself. The rest comes naturally.
Do you do yoga? What does it help you with? Tell me in the comments.
Header image: Pixabay/anupam-mahapatra
Anika Schulz
Teamleader Editorial
Anika.Schulz@galaxus.deAs a child, I was socialised with Mario Kart on SNES before ending up in journalism after graduating from high school. As a team leader at Galaxus, I'm responsible for news. I'm also a trekkie and an engineer.
Sport
Follow topics and stay updated on your areas of interest
Health
Follow topics and stay updated on your areas of interest
9 comments
later