Wellness Corner: Benefits of Yoga

By: Jeff Wagers

Date: July 19, 2024

Pause for a moment, and imagine in your mind’s eye, what is yoga? What does a “yogi” look like? If you’re like most Americans, you think of a barefoot, thin, flexible cis-woman wearing Lululemon tights, contorting her body into insane shapes, and posting her “tree” selfies on Instagram. Think Gwyneth Paltrow on her Goop website.

I jest, but yoga is so much more than that. And it can benefit everyone! There are several types: Vinyasa, Hatha Flow, Ashtanga, Yin, Restorative, Bikram (hot), and even the infamous Goat Yoga, to name a few! Use Google to find out about each one. I do want to address some common misconceptions about yoga. It’s not a “one size fits all” approach. Let’s talk a little bit about this misunderstood form of wellness that has benefits not only for your physical health, but also your mental, emotional, and even spiritual health.

Myth #1: “You have to be flexible to do yoga.”

This is one of the most common things I hear, especially from men. There is nothing that says you have to be flexible to do yoga. It’s because most people that you see doing those poses have been doing yoga for years! How do you think they became so flexible? Most people are not born that way; like any practice (think working out at the gym), you improve with time. If your goal is to become more flexible, then doing yoga on a regular basis will improve this.

Myth #2: “Yoga is just stretching.”

Yes, there is an aspect of yoga that is stretching, but there are also postures in yoga that are strength-based and can build muscle. It depends on what your goal is. Try doing a handstand and say that it’s not a strengthening exercise! And it’s especially great to strengthen your core.

Myth #3: “The goal of yoga is to do a posture perfectly.”

No, the postures are the means to an end. The actual goal of yoga is to focus on your breath and get in touch with your body, and sense how it feels in your body as you move from one posture to another. The word “yoga” comes from Sanskrit, which means “Union,” meaning the union of mind, body, and spirit. The practice of yoga is moving from one shape to another and seeing how your body feels.

Myth #4: “Yoga needs to be vigorous to be beneficial.”

Sure, a vinyasa practice can help with your aerobic capacity, but all forms of yoga are beneficial in different ways. Research has shown that yoga has not only physical benefits (increased flexibility, lengthening and/or building muscle), but can also calm the mind, improve emotional well-being, and even help someone connect spiritually.

There are many yoga studios in the Austin area; I am partial to Flow Yoga and Black Swan, but all are good. There is even Gay Men’s Naked Yoga! Reach out to me at [email protected] for more info, or check out my website: wellnessbyjeff.com. Yoga is for EVERYONE, and I highly encourage you to check it out!

~Jeff Wagers (he/him/his) is a member of the LGBTQ+ community, a certified holistic/spiritual life coach and yoga/meditation instructor, and a long-time Austin resident.