3 Reasons to Skip Yoga

I love yoga! I really do.

But I also know that a lot of women just don’t. I mean, it can be intimidating with all those teeny tiny women decked out in their Lululemon and fancy yoga mats.

And it’s hard. You’ll find yourself in positions you’ve never been in, using muscles you never knew you had. To top it off, you wonder:

“Is all this stretching really gonna help me lose weight?”

Well, I’ve got news for you! Yoga has so many amazing benefits for your body, including weight loss. But rather than giving you the run-of-the-mill “Yoga is so amazing for you” speech, I’m gonna give you 3 reasons to skip yoga. Take that, tradition!

You should NOT try yoga if:

1. You HATE a challenge. 

Like anything that’s worthwhile, yoga takes effort and consistency. You can’t expect to be rocking the Crane Pose on your first time on the mat. The cool (or maybe scary) thing about yoga is that there is no “there.” Even the most accomplished and respected yogis can add an obstacle to any pose to make it more challenging. It is an evolving, life-long practice- just like weight loss. When those 10-15-20 pounds are finally kicked to the curb, there will still be new discoveries to be made about yourself. And just like one yoga class won’t give you all the benefits, one healthy meal won’t result in weight loss. You have to commit for the long-term, and it can certainly be a challenge!

But yoga can give you such an amazing sense of satisfaction when you nail a pose or power through even when your arms are shaking like a leaf. The challenges that yoga presents help you to strengthen not only your body, but your mind. It helps you develop patience, compassion, discipline, and gratitude.

2. You LOVE flabby arms and a pudgy belly.

Yoga practice will introduce you to strange muscles and weird sensations in your body. It will make your muscles shake with fatigue and your core scream in pain. Now, I know this doesn’t sound very appealing, but these are the sounds of your body toning and growing stronger. Yoga loosens tight muscles, increases the range of motion of your joints, and enhances your flexibility.

Toned muscles burn more calories, and when paired with other cardio exercise like walking, biking, or swimming, yoga can act as a nice boost to your daily calorie-burn. Some postures, like Sun Salutations, can really get your heart rate up when repeated in sequence. In addition to this, some yoga poses are said to have hidden, internal benefits for your body, like cleansing your colon, activating your thyroid gland, and stimulating your liver.

3. You CRAVE negativity and stress.

Yoga is designed to invite you to be in the single moment of the present. It is not about what’s happening on the next mat over. It’s only about what is happening on that rubberized rectangle beneath your feet. During your yoga practice, it’s all about you and your journey. There’s no time for frustration over the kids, anxiety about a work project, or anger at your partner. You have total control in this scenario. If a pose is uncomfortable, you have the power to modify it. If your food choices are making you unhealthy and aren’t working for you, you learn in this moment that you can change them.

During Savasana (final relaxation pose) when the benefits of yoga practice begin to sink into the body and soul, there is a comfortable stillness and centering that cannot be ignored. It is the reward for the dedication to self, your most important vessel. Much like the way you feel when you work toward and achieve something important to you (like losing those first 5 pounds)- it’s that Oh Yeah moment!

So, the reality is that yoga is a beneficial form of exercise for your body and mind. I love it and will keep on doing it until I can’t Downward Dog anymore! Knowing the challenges and benefits of any workout is important because ultimately, you have to find what works best for you. Can’t get into yoga? That’s A-OK! You don't have to do yoga if it isn’t your cup of tea.