Seriously, though. What is the deal with yoga?

By TATUM

If you call the United States your home, chances are, at least one of your friends says that he or she practices yoga. According to a sort-of recent study, yoga has increased in popularity by nearly 30 percent since 2008. That’s 20.4 million Americans and counting.

But why? What’s so great about this stuff? No, seriously. What is in the Kool-aid?

As a newish yoga teacher, I can assure you that while yoga may not be for everyone, it can be – and that’s what makes it so appealing. You don’t have to be some sort of acrobatic skinny-mini to be able to roll out a slab of rubber, take a few deep breaths and stretch your bod. You can be any age, any size and at just about any level of fitness and a doctor will rarely tell you, “Stay away from yoga, it’s the worst.”

While an amazing spectrum of people practice yoga, it is often considered fitness for non-athletes. Look, I hated gym class as a kid. Aside from baseball, I don’t really even like watching competitive sports. And, to be honest, I only like baseball because the players’ asses look amazing in those pants (amirite?!).

So, when I first tried a yoga class, I thought, “This is what I’m talking about.” No one was yelling at me, I didn’t have to try to be better than anyone else. The teacher said I could stop what I was doing at any time and settle into child’s pose. It was perfect.

But not all new students had the same experience as me. I’ve heard countless stories about a yoga noob who tried a high-heat-mega-power-fierce-loud yoga class and left in the middle after nearly barfing all over the hardwood floors. My message to you is simple: go again, but go to a different studio.

Yoga has more styles than Christians have denominations, y’all. If you don’t want to sweat to the oldies in class, there is likely a studio close by that features lower temps, soothing music and gentler postures. If you were bored in the first class you took, there will always be more challenging classes to try, I assure you.

You are what you think.

Yoga philosophy maintains that we are our own teachers and much of what we say and do is a manifestation of our own thoughts. That is to say, if I think I’m ugly/fat/unattractive/boring/uncool, then I am. Along that same vein, if I believe that I’m worthy of love, kindness and a job that makes my heart sing – I will have it. So, as it relates to a yoga class: if you think you’re not good enough or it’s too hard or too hot or too whatever, it will be. The only reason you’re not going to yoga, getting your dream job, dating your dream partner is YOU.

THIS is the Kool-aid. This enormous shift in thought is what keeps us coming back for more. Our world is so full of pain, anger, strive and push, that when we were given access to a practice that allows us to come as we are and practice in a way that suits our needs without judgment – we latched on.

For too long, we’ve been stuck thinking that there is some sort of rule book out there for life. As a Literally, Darling reader, you’re well aware that you do not fit the mold and that you don’t have to explain yourself. Yoga expands on that notion while giving you space to move your body and breathe.

Package this along with the countless other benefits of practicing yoga and you’ve got yourself a nation hooked on downward facing dog.

So, tell me, what’s really stopping you?

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