Nowadays it seems that everyone is practising yoga and thanks to well known people like Sting, Madonna, Gwyneth Paltrow and Ryan Giggs, yoga has become very fashionable, as the recent International Yoga Day showed. The benefits are well known – a safe method of exercise for all ages and abilities; improved mental focus; better flexibility and movement; fewer injuries and aches and pains; a stronger, healthier back; better breathing; improved posture; better sleep patterns; increased energy levels; feeling calm and in control… These benefits are gradual and the result of a regular practice.
But what if you try yoga and really don’t like it?
In fact it is quite likely you might not take to it immediately, as it is so different from other forms of exercise and life in general.
Firstly it tends to be non competitive and quiet. ‘Doing’ isn’t as important as just ‘being’ and you are encouraged to develop your own, individual practice. Movement can be slow moving; there is likely to be an emphasis on reducing mental and physical tension and usually a good dollop of relaxation and healthy breathing in there, which is different to other activities.
When I first started yoga, I wasn’t sold on it immediately either and didn’t really ‘get it’. I found it too slow, hated sitting on the floor which I found uncomfortable and got impatient with the breathing practices and even with the relaxation at the end -which seemed to me a waste of time. However I kept going back to yoga, found a good teacher and eventually began to realise that it was doing me good. I started to feel better physically, my headaches were reducing, posture improving and I was starting to sleep more soundly and feel less anxious and stressed- and years later it has become a way of life.
So if you are convinced by the benefits of yoga, but go along to a class and don’t like it, this is my advice. Be open minded, try it another couple of times at least and if you still don’t like it consider looking for a different style of teacher and class. There are plenty of yoga classes and teachers out there- some more physical than others, some more meditative and so on and you might find a style which suits you better. Most good teachers would be happy to chat with you in advance and answer any questions you have.
And if you still don’t like yoga, maybe it just isn’t for you at the moment-but consider going back to it at a later stage, as there might not be another activity which gives you the same benefits…..
